• Typically Audi-precise build quality
• Mix in some amazing interior materials
• Virtual cockpit and drive modes deliver everything you need

How is the quality and layout?

What you can expect is the best build quality – or at least the nicest touch points – in the business. The RS6 Avant’s interior is closely related to the A6 Saloon‘s, meaning that Audi owners will feel immediately at home. The dash is dominated by a dual touchscreen set-up and a simple design that looks and feels very modern.

Existing A6 owners will be familiar with the Audi Drive Select button that changes suspension/drivetrain/steering characteristics, while the new configurable RS button on the wheel will be more familiar to BMW drivers. You can use this to switch between personalised driving modes, and while it’s quite effective in use, it’s not as nice as the M buttons in an M5. We also found sometimes it took a couple of presses to work properly.

Infotainment and tech

The infotainment set-up controlled via by two 10.1-inch touchscreens with haptic feedback. For those who don’t like touchscreens, there’s also Audi’s excellent voice recognition system if you get really frustrated by it. What there isn’t is the old MMI rotary controller, which we always found easier for navigating the system while on the move. Shame.

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You also get the huge 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display behind the wheel. This features a new Performance setting with a hockey stick style rev counter, lap times and g-force readings, and lets you keep an eye on temperatures for the oil, coolant, tyres and even the differential. Just how relevant that is on the M1 is questionable, but on the right road it really delivers.

Otherwise it’s business as usual, which is an A6 Avant in top-spec form clad in Nappa leather and Alcantara, with a flat-bottomed steering wheel and tombstone style single piece backrest sports seats. Driving position and ergonomics are all excellent.

Comfort

• Fabulous comfort from sports seats
• Acres of room front and rear
• Excellent for long journeys

Big sports seats hold you in place excellently when driving fast but also prove comfortable on a long journey, and there’s plenty of headroom in the front and rear to lend the cabin an airy feel. Compared to the carbon-fibre monstrosities in a BMW M3 Touring, Audi’s seats feel like armchairs

What sets the RS6 apart from rivals is its ability to kick back and cover motorway miles with effortless ease, particularly the air sprung car. Expect a slightly choppier ride if you spec the steel sports suspension that comes as standard on the Vorsprung car, or can be paid for on lower trims.