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: Land Rover Defender 90 V8 Carpathian Edition

When one thinks of Land Rover, the iconic Defender automatically comes to mind for most of us. Capable to withstand the toughest conditions and conquering any terrain making it an explorers dream. The Defender came in various body styles, namely the 3 door, 4 seater, short wheel based 90, the standard 5-door,5 seater 110 and the 5-door, 7-seater, long wheel based 130. All of which shared the same ruggedness and appetite for rough terrain. The latest Defender which was launched 3 years ago did cause some controversy with many thinking it wouldn’t live up to the legendary status of the previous generations but it soon proved the critiques wrong and has enjoyed much success in its stint so far. Having driven the launch edition 110, the Defender has since received some much needed tech upgrades and subtle styling ones too, I was keen to see how it faired to the one I drove 3 years ago. Last month I got to spend a few days with the Defender V8 Carpathian Edition 90 Series in Cape Town and this is what I thought of it.

DESIGN

I was always a fan of the design of the new Defender, while many wanted the boxy body to remain, I think the design team did extremely well in retaining the overall iconic Defender styling but giving it some curves to not only make it more aerodynamic but more appealing to the greater buying market. With the 90 being the short wheel base chassis, it does tend to look odd in pictures but in the metal it’s just as menacing as the 110 but also menacing in its own unique way. I frowned at a lady who said it looked “cute” and so did the car as it let out a ghastly roar thanks to the mighty V8 under the hood but more about that later. As mentioned there has been subtle design enhancements with it getting revised LED headlights some tweaks to the grille and some new paint colours to choose from, this one being the Carpathian Edition came in a combination of Carpathian grey with gloss black. The larger 22-inch wheels were also blacked out to give the car a really menacing appearance to the onlookers. A member of my party described it as the “ultimate doomsday spec” and I can see why. On the inside, the interior keeps that black theme but major differences come with the new infotainment screen on and other tech upgrades which we will talk about later. With it being a “coupe”, the doors are longer than normal so it adds the sporty characteristics to match the V8 under the hood.

PERFORMANCE

As you can tell I couldn’t wait long enough to get to this part of the review. The turbo charged V8, *sigh* I miss it oh so much, that loud grunt as you plant your foot down on the accelerator to meet the floor, summoning all 625Nm of torque to propel forward as it maximises the 368kW it has on demand to reach a 0-100km/h time of just 5.2 seconds! That’s a 3 tonne car achieving a time that’s equivalent to most hot hatches! It’s quite something to experience and while the brute power isn’t something that you would utilise to its maximum potential off road, it’s nice to know it has that for less tricky terrain making it feel almost like a rally car when navigating loose gravel roads. On the road itself the Defender V8 feels like just any ordinary SUV, high ride height which gives the driver a great view of the road and its surrounds, handling is easy and light, the nice thing about this short wheelbase model is how is it is to park, be it parallel or alley docking, of course the help of the 4 cameras is a massive help but all those aids the 90 Series to make you look like a pro every-time you park it. The 5.0L turbocharged V8 engine manufactured by Jaguar/ Land Rover is personally one of the best that I’ve experienced. I’ve had the pleasure of driving it in various models, and it all guises it has been superb. While being fitted in various chassis, the engineers still manage to tune it to each model to get the most out of it. It’s funny when looking at the technical aspects of the engine in the brochure received, when it comes to fuel economy it remains blank, then again when buying a V8 one doesn’t look at this but I can say I averaged about 15L per 100km, from the 90L tank with a mixture of driving. Off road capabilities are endless with the Defender, with it having all-wheel-drive, adaptive suspension, electronic traction control, roll stability control and dynamic stability control, making it super versatile in any condition. I has hill descent control for those steep terrains and hill launch assist should you need to get up over anything. The electronic air suspension works super well, automatically adjusting when it notices a change in terrain. The electronic active differential also does its job without you even noticing which what makes the Defender just as, if not more capable than its predecessors.  

COMFORT

The Defender isn’t known to be the most luxurious SUV but credit to the guys at Land Rover, the new Defender borrows a lot from its siblings in the range. From the quality of materials used to the technology that’s fitted in the car it makes the Defender just as good as some of the other models in the line up. The interior still has a lot of robust materials that make the Defender quite versatile to handle its self out in the open. There’s a lot of good quality hard plastics that make up the dash and door panels. The leather while being comfortable is also hardy type which takes a lot for it to get damaged and easily to clean. The design is such that the cabin has plenty of storage space from the cubby to the floating center console with elevated gear selector allowing for loads of space between the driver and passenger. There is a USB A, USB C and power outlet available for the front passenger and driver with USB C ports for the rear passengers. Large cup holders, with an additional storage tray behind that and the arm rest which opens to a cooled compartment which serves as an ideal fridge to keep your beverages chilled. The rear seats can seat 3 adults but its recommended for 2 to sit comfortably, getting to the back is much easier than a normal coupe as with the extra height it aids in this. Dual zone climate control helps keep the cabin cosy and comfortable and the large panoramic sun roof allows natural light to filter in. The car is equipped with built mobile apps, that operate wirelessly which is projected onto the large 11.4-inh touch screen. The car came standard with Meridian Sound System which is great as always, so couldn't fault it on any level. 

VERDICT

Overall, the fear of whether his new Defender could hold up the mantle that the old generations have built over the decades is quite clear. It can do all of that and so much more, it was time that the Defender moved into the modern age and this car does it perfectly, while this particular model might be a performance rated one, it still manages to do the hard work with ease. The creature comforts might be a bit much for the avid explorer but who doesn't need aircon when you're flying over dunes in the Sahara? Or keeping your tushy warm while pummeling snow in Greenland? Once the moaners get their ass in this car they won't know what they're missing out on. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	5.0L Supercharged V8
Gear Box	8-speed automatic
Torque	625Nm
Power	368kW
0-100km/h	5.2 seconds
Price	R2,889,600

*base price

Bucket Seat: Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Last month I got to spend some time with a rather special car whilst I was visiting the place of Gold, aka Johannesburg. Jaguar very kindly allowed me to spend some time with their range topping performance SUV, the F-Pace SVR, the epitome of British engineering. With a car like this, it is pretty evident that you'd be standing out from the crowd a lot but Jaguar ensured that this car would make peoples head turn even further with it being finished in an eye catching colour, with some exceptional details and if that wasn't enough, the sound of that roaring V8 would awaken sleeping beauty herself! While big engine cars like this aren't the most practical to have with the rising fuel costs, they still serve a place in the market for those budding performance heads, I mean there's nothing better than the sound of a V8, something that gotten quite accustomed to over that weekend. 

DESIGN

With the face-lift design on the F-Pace already having some design cues to uplift it from the older model, the SVR has added extras in terms of appearance that give it that extra aggressive look. Finished in a unique Avocado Gloss colour, the car was already a standard in that military style looking paint, extra cosmetic cues that enhanced the sportiness of the F-Pace was the larger, more prominent air intakes with the honeycomb grille at the front with a more pronounced border finished off in a gloss black. The wheels which were an optional extra like the paint work are something to be admired. Style 5117 forged, diamond turned with gloss black contract and satin technical grey inserts which really elevated the cars overall look and feel,  bargain at just R10,860! The side profile of the F-Pace SVR definitely benefits from those rims too but along with the side vent behind the front wheel arch and the sleek lines, it really makes this car one of the better looking SUVs on the road. The rear end of this car is just pure art, with the symmetry of the lines and arches, along with the vent on the rear wheel arch and the newly designed LED lights, make this a joy to look at from behind, because naturally that would be most peoples view of it as it powers past them. Jaguar really spared no expensive on detail with this one, even down to the twin tail pipe housings being so neatly designed and pronounced at the rear. The interior design borrows a lot from their sister company, Land Rover as some aspects are carbon copy of that in the Discovery Sport and new Evoque but it works and that is the most important thing. 

PERFORMANCE

Where do I start, it has a 5.0L Supercharged V8 engine that produces a staggering 550kW of power and 700Nm of torque all of which is controlled by an 8-speed automatic gearbox which in Dynamic mode selects the gears in optimal performance and firing them each to the maximum potential all which the twin-tail pipe produce the most frantic symphony of gurgling and thunder as the car propels you from standstill to 100km in just 4.0 seconds! Mind you, do this quite often and you'll be visiting the petrol station sooner than expected, with Jag claiming an average fuel economy of 11.7L per 100km, doing those launched starts will see that figure spike above the 15L per 100km mark but its oh so worth it! The car is pretty heavy and while it might not be as quick as the other performance SUV's out there, it is pretty quick and the timing of the gear changes makes the drive exciting for the driver. Handling on this beast is quite comfortable with the steering wheel being loose and adaptive to all types of surfaces. It's a stunning example of engineering and to say I enjoyed my time with it is a massive understatement. I mean, I got pulled over by the JMPD on 5 occasions, all times of which they just wanted to see the car. That is how much attention this thing was getting!

COMFORT

With it being a performance SUV, the SVR came fittings with sports styled bucket seats for the front and back passengers. The front seats are electrically adjustable with it have seat heating and cooling for the driver and front passenger. The multi-function sports steering wheel is extremely comfortable in hand and even with this plush finish, still very easy on the hand to hold at high speeds. The twin large screen infotainment unit and climate control screen that makes up the center console is the same in which you will find in the new Discovery Sport and Evoque but as mentioned before, it works and works well. It comes with all the latest mobile apps which are wireless, it has a host of USB ports and a wireless charger for your smart phone. The car has a digital instrument cluster which can be customised by the driver. The rear passengers enjoy a single climate control cluster to control their cabin temperature and while it might not be a bench seat, it still can accommodate three people at the back. The SVR comes with Meridian sound system which I quite enjoyed, not overly harsh on the ears with extreme bass, but made for great listening and appreciate the clarity. The details is what I couldn't get over in this car, from the embossed head rests with SVR in them, to the silver insets in the seats. Jaguar really went all the way into making this car standout from the rest. The luggage capacity is also pretty decent, with me carry a heavy load from the airport, I made good use of the 613 litres that were at my disposal.

VERDICT

Yes, this car is as impractical as they come, the sports seats means that you cannot fit 5 fully grown adults in comfort, the big 22" rims along with the sports suspension means that the ride quality is hard and bumpy. The addictive sound of that supercharged V8 and twin tailpipes make you want to drive like a hooligan most of the time which drains the fuel faster and sends you average into a spiral but you know what? I'd still buy this car if I had the money, it gives you a thrill like no other and the way the car drives adds to the addictiveness of it. The car wants you to push it so it can show you its full potential. I don't need to even touch on the looks department because I think I've exhausted myself on that topic but my God is it good to look at! If there's anything I could add about this car, is that I didn't have the car long enough to fully appreciate what they've done. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	5.0-litre V8 Super Charged
Gear Box	8-speed automatic
Torque	700Nm
Power	550kW
Fuel economy	11.7L/ 100km/h
Price	R1,965,000*

*base price

 

Bucket Seat: Audi RS6 Avant

In March this year I was invited by Audi South Africa to sample an array of their performance models in Johannesburg, but due to other commitments I was unable to attend. This was a sore one for me as I knew I would miss out on seeing the entire Audi Performance arsenal and the chances of me experiencing them in Durban would be slim to none, which is why I set out to go sample at least one of their high-end performance models in either Johannesburg or Cape Town when the chance came available. About a month ago I arranged a visit to the fairest Cape, as luck would turn out, it was a long weekend and what awaited for me at the airport can be best described as the baddest wagon in the world, the Audi RS6 Avant. While wagon's aren't the most popular in South Africa, this one is special and it garnered interest wherever I went, with those young and old fixated on it as I drove past them. Just looking at it, let alone the violent burbles of the exhaust, you know this isn't you average family station wagon and this is what the RS6 Avant has become synonymous for world over, it has a cult like status where it is admired and in some cases worshipped. While the likes of the M5 and E63 AMG still predominantly focus on the sedan, Audi have taken a different approach with their fighter and my God have they delivered. 

DESIGN

The RS6 Avant's design can be described as menacing, while stealth in appearance, its anything but, the wide body, bold lines and striking silhouette will have you engulfed as it seems like time stands still when looking at it. To say it has presence is an understatement, it commands your attention even when standing still. While there are many aftermarket body kits that are available for the RS6 Avant, in my personal opinion they aren't needed since Audi have done such a fantastic job already. It's taken the normal RS6 body work and enhanced it to suit, with wider wheel arches to accommodate those massive tyres, enlarged air-intakes which are functional for cooling, massive 22-inch rims with red brake calipers, this particular model came with the "Black Styling Package",  which Audi black out the badges and the most of the trims around the car, giving it that stealth like look. The interior design is pretty much the same as you would find in the newer executive type Audi's with the added high-gloss black accents and carbon fibre like textures on the dash. The virtual cock-pit has a few cool animations to make it seem more sportier, especially in the RS Mode configuration. 

PERFORMANCE

There's only one place to start with this car and that is with the mammoth 4.0L twin-turbo charged V8 engine that resides underneath the massive hood. Delivering an exhilarating 441kW with 800Nm of torque, this thing scared every living being as I ripped into Chapmans peak on my arrival. The raucous noise that is delivered by the massive twin-tailpipes is more addictive than any banned substance you know, it just makes you wanting more and more. The engine is connected to an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox that works in harmony on auto delivering high-revs with optimal gear changes when needed, manual mode can be fun with the use of the flappy paddle gearbox but I would recommend getting used to the car first before attempting to unleash your inner Schumacher in this. The car is big, its heavy but its also quite forgiving, which many feel is a bit of a spoiler by Audi, while I understand their point of view, one has to understand the amount of power this car generates and having these extra safety mechanisms in place, protects the driver and the car. That being sad, with its 800Nm of torque, the RS6 Avant still propels itself from 0-100km/h in a blistering 3.6 seconds, and that is what has been said by Audi, there has been many independent tests which prove it can do it faster, conditions dependent of course. That is blody staggering for a car of this sorts and just goes to prove the type of vehicle Audi have produced. While the standard Audi RS6 Avant has an electronically limited speed of 250km/h, this particular model came with the RS Dynamic package which pushed that top speed up to 280km/h, not that we can do such speeds on public roads but its nice to know the option is there. Having had the chance to drive this car through some of the world's, let alone the countries best driving roads, it's safe to say that this car can do it all, feel the back kick out a bit as you accelerate up Franschhoek pass, hearing the 5th and 6th gear max out as you fly over the Three Waterskloof Damn, watching the sand kick up from the road as you blast through R44 from Hermanus, it really leaves you feeling invigorated, it was almost a form of therapy for me and I'm sure many other petrol heads will feel the same after stepping out of this car.  

COMFORT

This car is all about comfort and practicality while having a monster under the hood, I wouldn't say its a Jekyll and Hyde because just by the styling there is no hidden complex when it comes to the RS6, you know its a demon! With the regular styled Audi interior, the highlights of the RS6 Avant are the sport styled bucket seats with detailed stitching and RS logos in the seats. For the front passenger and driver, it has seat heating and dual climate control. For the rear passengers, they also get to experience those great sport styled seats with stitching as well as seat heating and dual climate control. While the car rides on 5-V spoke trapezoidal style 22-inch rims, the ride is remarkably smooth and one would imagine with a profile of 30 there would be a lot of road noise in the cabin but its minimal so much so that the noise from the exhaust or the Bang & Olufsen sound system drowns it out. This car came fitted with about R360,000 worth of extras, which is a lot, enough to buy another car with but when buying a car of this nature the type of extras it has available will also want you ticking most of the boxes. Stuff like the virtual cockpit plus which allow for that RS layout display, Park assist plus which parks the car itself as parking this monster can get a bit tricky especially when parallel parking in town. Lane change assist with Audi pre sense rear which warns when traffic is oncoming when backing out of spaces as well as the full driver assist package with cameras which were set off a few times while I was driving since people cannot stay in their lane. 

VERDICT

I've waiting a good few years to get behind the wheel of the RS6 Avant and Audi have knocked it out the park with this C8 edition of the car. The colour alone, which was an optional extra, Sebring Black Crystal Effect was hypnotizing from the first time I laid eyes on it at CT International Airport, and made handing back the keys even more difficult. I guess the only easy part was knowing I didn't need to fill the 73L tank again, since my average fuel consumption was sitting close to the 17L per 100km mark. This car is for the person that wants performance and practicality, I've seen guys with previous generation Audi RS6 Avant's with baby seats in them and when switched over into comfort mode it can be driven like a normal car and achieve 8.8L per 100km,  so its not always an petrol thirsty car. With my short time with it, there was zero chance of me trying to achieve that figure and I don't think I even had it in any mode apart from Dynamic and RS. Being a wagon, it also means you have a massive luggage space with 565L to load and if need be the rear seats fold down to give you 1680L, so again the practicality of the car shines through again. While I understand this car isn't for everybody, you have to experience it to make your mind up about it. There's so much to love about it and while most brands stray away from bringing wagons to the country due to its poor appeal, I applaud Audi for bring this one and the RS4 Avant here as they really are something special. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	4.0L Twin-Turbo Charged V8
Gear Box	8-Speed Tip Tronic
Torque	800Nm
Power	441kW
Top Speed	280km
Price	R2,070,000*

*Base Price, model test at R2,429,050.

 Pictures by Willie Botes

Bucket Seat: Lexus LC Convertible

When it comes to luxury, Lexus know what they're doing. The intricacy and details that goes into their models surpasses the standards in most German models let alone European ones in general. They spend time on perfection rather than rolling out what seems "right" and its because of this their models always feel special, none so than the recently launched LC Convertible which touched down on our shores last week. The bespoke luxury drop-top forms part of the LC Coupe line up, powered by a roaring naturally aspirated V8, all fitted into that jaw dropping modern design which now features a folding cloth top. The design is nothing short of extraordinary, with sharp lines and edgy creases, tear-drop like lights with classy edgings make it one beautiful car to look at. With the Coupe being so gorgeous and having those sweeping lines with the roof line, the designs didn't have an easy task for cutting the roof off and tying in a foldable one but they've managed to do a stunning job. Tadao Mori, Chief designer had this to say, "Few convertibles are stylish and elegant when the roof is open and when it is closed. We put maximum effort into realising the same beautiful roof line for the LC Convertible as for the coupe". The folding roof boasts an extra fold in the soft top to fit in the space between the rear suspension towers, creating a character line running form the front to the back. 

There is only one model for the LC Convertible and that is the LC 500, as mentioned before it boasts a very throaty naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine with direct injection, this in turn produces 351kW of power at 7100rpm and 540Nm of torque at 4800rpm. The 10-speed automatic gearbox has been recently-retuned with the revised chassis to leverage the best from the highly rigid GL_L rear wheel drive platform, and enable smooth ride comfort to coexist with excellent dynamics. The LC 500 Convertible can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.7 seconds, the car has a claimed fuel economy of 12.7L/100km and a C02 emissions figure of 290g/km. 

The interior of the LC 500 Convertible is ever luxurious as any high-end Lexus models, sporting only the finest materials and textures. The cabin is well laid and very kitsch, with impeccable craftsmanship that offers a level of opulence that intensely focuses on driver and passenger comfort. The instrument cluster features a LFA-style 8.0-inch digital screen with slide-out meter ring. A 10.3-inch multimedia screen with Lexus Remote Touch-pad. 13-speaker Mark Levinson Sound System, Dual-zone climate control, 10-way power electric seats with driver memory settings, heated and ventilated front seats, sports pedals and retractable door handles which make up just some of the features that are a standard on this model. 

The Lexus LC 500 Convertible comes standard with a best-in-class 7-year/105 000km warranty and full maintenance plan. This approach from Lexus illustrates the belief Lexus has in its vehicles master craftsmanship and outstanding build quality. Price on this bad boy is R2 345 000.