Audi RS6 GTO Concept
Audi Quattro has been around for 40 years, and that should be celebrated. The German manufacturer is doing that again today with an extreme concept car: the Audi RS6 GTO Concept.
This concept car – which was actually built – does not just join a row of cars, but among legends from motorsport. The story of Audi’s legendary 4WD system began in 1980, with the Quattro Coupe. Would you like to take in the whole story of Audi Quattro, but above all hear it? Then enjoy the video below with Autovisie editor Peter Hilhorst, who will serve you a delicious portion of Quattro.
IMSA GTO
The video above also features the most recent Quattro model: the Audi RS6 Avant. Exactly that car is turning off the drawing board of the students today. The GTO Concept was developed by a group of students within the Audi Neckarsulm factory, and was designed with the legendary 90 Quattro IMSA GTO in mind. That car, for which the 90 was the basis, competed in the American IMSA GTO racing series and also had a major influence on the awareness of Audi’s Quattro system.
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Design
In terms of design, the RS6 GTO has many similarities with the Quattro IMSA GTO. For example, look at the iconic red rear spoiler, which is also on the RS6. The wheels – just like the 90 Quattro – wear an even white color with Quattro badges and red hub caps. The colors and livery are also very similar to those of the racer.
The exhaust system of the RS6 seems to end in the same place as on the 90 Quattro IMSA GTO, namely on the side. Whether that is really the place where the system ends up is still the question, because it requires substantial subcutaneous adjustments. The partly closed grille and air scoops on the side make the nose a modern version of the legendary track car.
Interior
This is a Quattro passenger family car RS6 not anymore. The rear seat has been replaced by a roll cage and the regular front seats have been replaced by Recaro racing seats with six-point seat belts. The center console, on the other hand, resembles that of a standard RS6. If we then want to look outside, we see that the windows are blocked by security nets. Incidentally, the powertrain did not change. The 4.0-liter V8, good for 600 hp, still sends all the power via an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels.
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Although the car was designed by students, according to Audi, the head of the design department eventually produced the concept. It seems unlikely that multiple copies of this RS6 GTO will be built. However, another Quattro special will soon be sent to the dealer as a birthday present for Audi itself. The Audi TT RS 40 Years is inspired by the aforementioned Sport Quattro, and mainly contains external finery. That car is also motorically no different from a ‘regular’ Audi TT RS. The men in Ingolstadt build 40 copies of this special edition, which are only sold in Germany for just over 114 grand.
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