Unless you’re one of the 22 owners to already have staked your claim on an Audi RS 6 GT, then this is just by way of an insight into the ultimate RS model. Unveiled at the start of the year, the Audi RS 6 GT represents the ultimate incarnation of one of Audi Sport’s most successful and desirable models. A vehicle that changed the very perception of what a supercar was, delivering extraordinary levels of performance and handling in a large, luxurious wagon.

This concept of the ‘everyday supercar’ was quickly copied, but the RS 6, both in Avant and at times Sedan configuration, has continued to thrill performance aficionados around the world with each successive model for more than 20 years.

The RS 6 GT represents the mighty RS 6 at its zenith. Just 660 will be produced worldwide, with only 22 cars earmarked for Australia – all of which have already been sold. Priced at $399,000* the RS 6 GT represents the most expensive iteration in the model’s history, but then this is a very special vehicle, finished at Audi’s Böllinger Höfe plant, with bespoke parts and its own unique style.

The RS 6 GT is immediately recognisable as a member of the RS6 family – though one that’s been taken to extremes. Its distinctive styling and colour scheme are reminiscent of the 90 quattro IMSA GTO and Australian-delivered cars will be be available in either Arkona white or Mythos black, complete with the decals inspired by Audi motorsport and the aforementioned model in particular.

In keeping with its racing DNA, under the skin it features a carbon bonnet, front wings and wing mirror caps, while visually it has unique bumpers, diffuser and side sills. Unlike its performance sibling there are no roof rails on the slick, swept back roofline and the rear spoiler running off the tail edge of the roof is a bespoke item.

Inside the RS 6 GT features  RS bucket seats with carbon rear covers with red and copper stitching. Seatbelts too are red and the cabin features numerous Dinamica elements including the multi-function flat-bottom steering wheel and black headlining. Each vehicle will be numbered with its individual number of 660 discreetly displayed on the centre console. The likes of customised floor mats, sill trims and entrance lighting all elevate the experience while the Sensory package adds a Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system, sunshades for the rear windows and heated outer rear seats to go with the heated front seats.

The underlying performance package is based on the superb RS 6 Avant performance which debuted here late last year. Hitting 100km/h in a lightening 3.3 seconds from rest, the RS 6 GT goes on to crack 200km/h in 11.5 seconds on the way to its top speed of 305km/h. This blinding speed is made possible by its 4.0-litre V8 which produces a whopping 463kW and 850Nm of torque from 2300rpm to 4500rpm. This makes it the fastest RS6 Audi has ever produced by 0.5 a second – a serious margin in the rarified ranks of ultra high-performance.

Brakes on the Australian-delivered cars will be ceramic, complete with red calibres which stand out inside the 22-inch, Avus-inspired six-spoke rims. Of course straight-line speed is matched by superb handling courtesy of adjustable coiler suspension which drop the ride height some 10mm on a ‘standard’ RS 6 Avant and quattro sport differential which has been specially tuned for greater agility and a more pronounced rear bias in ‘dynamic’ driving mode.

The first of these rare, hand-finished vehicles will begin arriving from later in the year.

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)