Audi RS6 Avant Is Having Its Best Sales Year Ever
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra is a handsome, fuel-efficient, roomy, and safe compact sedan. While it might not sell in the same numbers as the Civic or the Corolla, it's worthy of consideration because it offers so much for so little.
Buyers Still Love A Fast Wagon
They may set car enthusiasts' hearts aflutter, but performance cars are often niche models that struggle to justify their existence with sales. But the Audi RS6 Avant isn't one of those unfortunate cases. Audi says the high-performance wagon is having its best sales year ever. And that's despite the current generation being close to retirement.
The RS6 Avant enjoyed record half-year sales, which were also up 41% over the same period in 2024, Alina Seysen, Audi spokesperson for sales and marketing, said in a recent interview with German business newspaper Automobilwoche. Seysen was referring to global sales, and Audi doesn't break out United States sales of the RS6 Avant from the broader A6 lineup.
Defying Age
Source: Audi
The current-generation C8 RS6 Avant was introduced six years ago, meaning it's nearing the end of its lifecycle. A redesigned version of the A6 Avant is already on sale in Europe, in fact, with the same updates the U.S. will see on the next-generation A6 sedan when it arrives Stateside this fall.
Sales usually decline as a given vehicle ages, so the resurgence of interest in the C8 RS6 Avant is impressive. Granted, Audi has been steadily upgrading the C8 since its launch. It arrived in the U.S. as a 2021 model with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (with mild-hybrid assist) making 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, but a Performance version was introduced for 2024 with 621 hp and 627 lb-ft.
For 2025, Audi introduced a limited-edition RS6 Avant GT with additional performance upgrades like adjustable coil-over suspension, a re-tuned rear differential, and carbon-fiber components that helped shave 88 pounds for the curb weight. Perhaps more importantly though, the GT wears a livery inspired by Audi's IMSA GTO race cars of the 1980s. Production is limited to 660 units globally (including 85 for the U.S.).
Not The Last Of The V8s
Source: Audi
In addition to Audi doing things to keep earning attention for the RS6 Avant, the automaker may be in a better position to cater to performance-wagon fans than its rivals. As Motor1 points out, Mercedes hasn't introduced a new AMG E63 wagon yet, and the RS6 Avant is arguably a purer experience than the plug-in hybrid BMW M5 Touring.
The next RS6 Avant may go the same route as its Bavarian rival, though. While Audi is expected to keep the V8, a plug-in hybrid system might be part of the plan. And the automaker's performance future won't be all about wagons. Next month, Audi will unveil a sports car concept that it's billing as its 'TT Moment 2.0.'
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