Q: WHAT DO YOU DO TO THE FAST ESTATE THAT WANTS FOR NOTHING?

A: TURN EVERYTHING UP TO 11

Suspension and steering

New air springs with far more bandwidth than before allow for a lower standard ride height that drops lower still at speed, cutting drag. These units can also raise the body and self-level, in time-honoured air suspension style. Not convinced? The RS Sport suspension deploys steel springs, adaptive dampers and a new version of RS6’s interlinked hydraulic body control system, to resist roll and pitch with gimlet-eyed determination. Dynamic steering standard in UK, which also deploys rear-wheel steering for increased agility at low speeds and greater stability when you’re in a hurry.

Long live the V8

The RS6’s delectable 4.0-litre V8 continues, now with 3mm larger twin turbochargers running an extra 0.25 bar pressure for 592bhp and 590lb ft. Fast? 0-62mph in a launch control-assisted 3.6sec and 190mph – mummy. A new mild hybrid system uses a belt-driven starter/generator to recover energy (up to 16bhp) to a small lithium-ion battery, gently boosting e ciency, while also allowing for instantaneous starting after spells of fuel-saving engine-o coasting. As before, cylinder deactivation also does its bit to tame the V8’s thirst. The eight-speed ZF auto’s been uprated to cope with tuned motor’s extra twist.

We’re sure this isn’t a race car?

Inside, a new Performance mode sports a track-ready driver’s display dominated by a rev counter. It also sports a lap timer (that Farrow & Ball better not be in the boot) and displays to let you keep a watchful eye on your oil, sport di and tyre temps. At the same time, new M-style RS1 and RS2 buttons give instant access to your preferred steering, chassis and powertrain settings.

No drift, just drive

The mechanical centre di is split 40:60 front/rear by default, but can punt up to 70 per cent of the engine’s prodigious thrust forwards or 85 per cent of it to the rear axle alone. Brake-based torque vectoring is standard, helping trim wheelspin on the unloaded inside wheels mid-corner. Quattro sport di on the rear axle capable of true torque vectoring, standard in UK, optional in some markets. No drift mode, though – unlike on the equivalent E63 or M5, the RS6’s front axle’s always in play. Very Audi.