Avant garde

Continuing a long tradition of meeting the press at the beginning of the year, Audi Hong Kong hosted a luncheon and unveiling ceremony for the Audi RS6 Avant and RSQ3 Sportback at The Murray.

Despite the dampened market sentiment casting a shadow over the local car trade, the Audi Hong Kong team was in good spirits. Managing director Lothar Korn gave a short introduction on the two models with, as always, strong enthusiasm, while marketing and PR director Katty Chu kept media friends she has known for years company.

There is a reason why the Audi Hong Kong boss is always ebullient about RS models. Before joining Audi Hong Kong in 2018, Korn was in charge of the Quattro GmbH, the predecessor of Audi's high-performance division Audi Sport GmbH.

"The Audi RS6 is my favorite Audi model," he told the motoring press in Hong Kong not long after he assumed the current position.

It would be easy to write headlines for the RS6 Avant (Audi's choice of word for station wagon).

Powered by a four-liter bi-turbo V8 engine rated at 600hp and 800Nm respectively, it is simply one of the most powerful wagons in the world.

It is also the fastest Audi five-seater, with a top speed of 280 kmh. Thanks to the brand's proven quattro all-wheel-drive system and eight-speed automatic transmission, the HK$1.85 million Avant has all the necessary firepower and sophisticated systems to keep most supercars honest on open roads.

However, the RS6 Avant is not only about performance. "It's the most versatile car in the world," said Korn about the car's advanced air suspension and space for occupants and their luggage.

Aesthetically, the RS6 Avant is distinguished from its A6 sibling by a wider body, flatter and sportier LED headlights with Audi laser light assist found in the A7 model line and a set of 21-inch wheels. The RS model shares only the front doors, roof and tailgate with the A6 Avant.

At the same event, Audi HK also showcased the new RSQ3 Sportback (HK$845,000). Hong Kong is one of the places buyers can get this powerful compact SUV before many major European markets, according to Korn. The biggest talking point of the RSQ3 Sportback is the fact that it employs the multiple award-winning 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, better known for powering the TT RS.

The engine has been honored for the ninth time in its class by judges at the International Engine of the Year Awards.

Korn said he is the biggest fan of the engine. He likes the engine's odd number of cylinders and, thanks to the unique cylinder firing sequence, unbelievable sound characteristics.

The motorsports lover also added that each RS model's specially developed color is named after a famous race track.

The Kyalami green with the Sportback is named after the famous South African Grand Prix circuit, while the gray with the RS6 Avant is named Nardo grey after the high-speed track located in southern Italy.

staff.reporter@singtaonewscorp.com