2002-2003 Audi S6 Avant: It Exists
Posted by Doug DeMuro in It Exists on | 10 comments
All car enthusiasts love fast Audis. A love for fast Audis may actually be a prerequisite to becoming a car enthusiast, along with complaining about the increase of modern technology in cars. This dates back to the days when they replaced levers with a steering wheel and people said: I’ll never buy one of them automobiles without a lever! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go pan for gold.
In the States, we’ve been fortunate enough to receive a few of the coolest fast Audis ever. The 2003 RS6, for instance, was a tremendous car for the 11 days per year when it was working properly. Same goes for the initial S8. And of course the original Audi Quattro, which was possibly the coolest boxy car until Ford came out with that EcoBoost Flex that has like 360 horsepower.
But my favorite fast Audi – aside from, of course, the Europe-only RS2 – was the 2002-2003 S6 Avant.
Most people don’t realize it, but the “C5” S6 came only as a station wagon. That’s pretty cool, considering the aversion most Americans have with wagons – and, thus, the aversion automakers have to sending them our way.
But Audi was nice enough to give us the S6 Avant, which had meaty wheels, some subtle bodywork revisions, and – most importantly – a 340-horsepower 4.2-liter V8. That was a big deal in 2002, because the most powerful A6 sedan was the A6 4.2, which had only 300 horses. Of course, the following year, Audi debuted the RS6, which was so powerful that it needed a new transmission every eight weeks.
Unfortunately, the transmission issue also dogged the S6, as did various other reliability problems. Still, these days it’s an absolute bargain – and the only car that joins my love of fast wagons with my love of fast Audis.
10 Responses to “ “2002-2003 Audi S6 Avant: It Exists”
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I too share a love of fast wagons, and it makes me extremely sad that almost no automakers currently offer them (or any wagons for that matter) in the States. I heard rumors of a Buick Regal GS wagon, and thought, “Well, I guess I’m buying a Buick!” I don’t think they are coming true though.
Hadn’t heard those rumors, but that would be really cool – especially if it carried over the subtle but meaty styling from the sedan.
The CTS-V wagon is so awesome that it kind of makes up for the lack of other wagons.
Have to agree with you on some of the fast Audis. The S8 is one of my favorite cars, and I would get one over a Panamera any day of the week. The 2013 S4 is also among the best cars I’ve ever driven, though I know I would get bored of it after six months to a year, because I know deep down it’s the car making me look good, not my driving skill.
On the other hand, one car I didn’t like would be the S5 4.2 V8 with the Tiptronic. I don’t know if you’ve driven a Tiptronic S5, but my takeaway from that was I could never rest my hand on the gear knob because it felt uncomfortable. I wonder what your impressions of the Tiptronic S5 were because all I remember to this day was that oddly-shaped shift knob on which I could not comfortably rest my hand. I even felt compelled to ask a buddy’s girlfriend whose dad had an S5 w/ Tips whether she knew what I meant, with the only response being a blank face.
This is a great car, but what about the S4 wagon? That doesn’t join your love for fast wagons and fast Audis?
Ah yes. THAT.
Actually, the Allroad 4.2 when you really think about it…
For me this is one of the best “sleepers” audi has ever made.
And strange you only got the avant version. Here in Europe they also sold de sedan version (which nobody bought).
Did you guys get the S3?
No S3 in the States. If they sold one here, I would buy it happily. Apparently we will get the next one, but it’s a sedan with an automatic instead of a hatch with a stick.
I can’t say I’ve ever seen one in person, but they’ll pop up on ebay from time to time. I did see a C5 RS6 Avant on a trip to Aspen with French plates back around this time. And yes, in case you were wondering, I screamed like a little girl seeing a unicorn in person…
Hah! That’s hilarious and I would too. Only times I’ve ever seen an RS6 Avant were Zurich, and Monaco. Guess nothing is off-limits in Aspen.