Bucket Seat: Audi RS6 GT - South African Allocation

Audi South Africa is thrilled to announce that the single Audi RS 6 Avant GT destined for our market will be sold at an exclusive auction in November. With only 660 units produced worldwide, Audi SA is privileged to have secured unit 74 for the local market when some countries won’t receive this one-of-a-kind vehicle at all. This rare masterpiece will be sold through a live auction event, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting a worthy charity (more details on this exciting news will be shared in a later release). 

The RS 6 Avant GT is the final pure internal-combustion RS 6 and the pinnacle of the model series. Audi South Africa therefore expects this auction to generate significant interest among avid collectors and fans of the Audi brand. The event will be held in Cape Town on 7 November, where registered bidders, invited guests and media will witness the culmination of more than two decades of innovation and passion snapped up by one lucky bidder.

According to Sascha Sauer, Head of Audi South Africa: “The Audi RS 6 Avant GT marks the end of an illustrious era for the famed RS 6 series. The GT is more than just a car; it represents the apex of our engineering excellence and a legacy of which we are immensely proud.”

When a model reaches its maximum

The idea of the RS 6 Avant GT goes back to the apprentice project RS 6 GTO concept from 2020. Twelve apprentices learning to work as bodywork and vehicle construction mechanics, automotive mechanics and painters, as well as tooling mechanics, toiled for six months with the support of Audi Design. They took most of their inspiration from the legendary Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO race car from 1989. The result shows the range of ways in which young talents can contribute to the company even during their apprenticeship.

The RS 6 Avant GT is packed with exclusive details throughout the exterior and interior. An impressive pass-through roof edge spoiler, redefined diffuser, and 22-inch wheels in a distinctive design underscore its top position in the model series. The interior features bucket seats, a fresh heritage-inspired colour combination, and the individual number of the vehicle in the centre console. Lightweight adjustable coilover suspension unique to the RS 6 Avant GT and a reworked quattro sport differential on the rear axle sharpen the driving experience. The twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivers 463kW and 850Nm of torque from 2,300 to 4,500rpm, allowing the RS 6 Avant GT to accelerate to 100km/h from standstill in a mere 3.3 seconds, to 200km/h in just 11.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of 305km/h.  

Vehicle number 74 will be painted in Arkona White, combined with the traditional colours of Audi Sport: black, grey and red. The model badges will also come in these colours. Finally, the alloy wheels are  painted in high-gloss white, underscoring the RS 6 Avant GT’s unique and striking appearance in the RS 6 line-up. 

The model destined for South Africa boasts several optional extras fitted, of which the highlights are: 

• RS ceramic brakes with brake callipers painted in red.
• RS Dynamic package plus, with top speed increased to 305km/h.
• Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System, featuring 19 loudspeakers and a 1,820-watt output.
• Head-up display.
• RS bucket seats in Dinamica microfiber/leather combination with honeycomb pattern.
• Full range of active and passive safety assistance and systems.
• Manufacturing of the highest grade
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Unlike the regular RS 6 Avant performance, the GT is not entirely assembled on the production line in Neckarsulm. After the body construction works and painting shop, the 660 models go to Böllinger Höfe, where the R8, e-tron GT quattro and RS e-tron GT are built. This highly flexible facility is unique within the Group and thus offers the best conditions for finishing the Audi RS 6 Avant GT there. Final assembly is carried out by seven experienced employees at three assembly stations set up especially for this exclusive special edition. Each individual vehicle spends a whole day there. All GT-specific features are fitted by hand, including the bonnet, fenders, rocker panels, double wing, front and rear aprons, and the adjustable coilover suspension. 

How to register for the auction

If you are interested in bidding on the ultra-exclusive Audi RS 6 Avant GT and owning a part of exclusive Audi history in the making, please visit www.audi.co.za/oneofakind and follow the registration process. All bidders will be invited to attend the live auction event on 7 November, or they may nominate a proxy to attend in their place.

Bucket Seat: BMW M2 CS coming to SA

Yesterday BMW South Africa held a live Q&A session between their Group Product Manager, Sibusiso Mkwanazi and BMW M South Africa head, Gennaro Bonafede, the purpose of the session was to give fans an insight into the Motorsport division at BMW and what they do locally in South Africa. The major news coming from this that South Africa will be getting 30 units of the new M2 CS coming to the country by year end. However the sales process will be a bit different to the norm. With the CS coming in limited numbers, only 28 units will be available to purchase with 2 remaining part of BMW SA as their fleet. 

Usually dealerships are allocated a select number of these cars to offer to sell to select clientele, this time round BMW SA is taking a different approach. They will, with the help of the various dealerships countrywide give us invitations to top and preferred BMW M owners to attend an auction to bid for one of these 28 units. These units will be specc'd by BMW South Africa so no car will be made to order and each car will be pretty different to one another with a host of options, colours and choices. The M2 CS is a special car and an out going tribute to the current 2 Series model as the new one is on the cards for 2021. The M2 CS is much lighter and powerful than the M2 and M2 Competition. The 3.0 litre turbocharged motor delivers 331kW and 550Nm of torque, quite more than what you get with the Competition. 

There will be a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT gearbox, at the moment we're not sure how many of each will be made for South African buyers but I'm sure it will be an even split as the purist prefer the manual gearbox. Bonafede touched on the various combinations you can spec the M2 CS, the car is available in just four colours, Hockenheim Silver, Sapphire Black, Alpine White and Misano Blue, however there are various ways in which BMW SA will spec the cars to be different. From various rim colour choices down to the brakes to maintain exclusivity with each car. 

Prospective buyers will be invited to the auction which will be a track day for them to experience the car around most probably Kyalami, get a feel for what they could be buying and obviously whet their appetite for the evenings bidding. We're guessing a list of the cars with their specifications will be made available for attendee's prior to the event so they will know which one to keep their eye on when it comes up for bidding. No clear process was given on how bidding will work, but expect some high bids coming in for this very exclusive model. 

IBV Supercars, Art & Shopping Festival

This weekend see's high-end fashion, art and luxury performance motoring merge into one as Gateway Theatre of Shopping plays host to the first ever IBV Supercars, Art and Shopping Festival. 

This upcoming long-weekend, Umhlanga will be a hive of activity as the world's finest luxury vehicles, supercars and vintage models make their way to Gateway Theatre of Shopping, for the inaugural IBV Supercars, Art and Shopping Festival. This not-to-be-missed event takes place throughout Gateway from the 26-19 April. Art in many forms will be showcased as visitors to the centre enjoy live music, visual art, fashion shows and more!

This bespoke event is the first of many global Supercar, Art and Shopping Festivals that will unite like-minded people whom share an interest in art, fashion and the thrill of luxury performance vehicles. 

Automotive enthusiats can expect a thrilling display of high-end vintage models and extravagant supercars, as well as an exclusive supercar automotive auction. For those with a love for paintings, sculptures and photography, a huge variety of artwork will be exhibited throughout the centre.

On Saturday 28th April 2018, the festivities will culminate in a high-end fashion show, where local designers and exclusive brands will showcase their ready-to-wear garments. 

Visitors to the centre will also be able to take advantage of the incredible offers and mega sales many of Gateway's tenants will be offering for the long weekend only! Visit Gateway's social media pages for more info on these deals.