2021 Audi RS 6 Avant RS Tribute Edition: The 1994 RS2 Avant Comes Back!

One of the current “rules” of the automotive world is that the USA doesn’t get any of the cool European station wagons. Thankfully, Audi has decided to break that rule with the upcoming 2021 RS 6 Avant. And to make sure we’ve got the point, they are rolling out a limited version called an RS Tribute Edition.

You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out why we don’t have the cool wagons here in the U.S. of A. It’s a one-word reason: Minivans. At some point in the early 80s, suburban dwellers decided that wagons, although amazingly practical, were not cool. Lee Iacocca noticed the drop in sales, cooked up the minivan, and those that live in the suburbs have been happy ever since. They became even happier with the advent of SUVs, which, curiously, are just bigger, less efficient wagons that could go off-road, but that’s a whole other discussion.

A Welcome Addition

Not as happy are gearheads (like me) who find wagons kind of cool, especially the high-performance variants. Mercedes does offer an AMG E Class wagon, but the ones that have been sadly absent from our shores have been Audis. Audi calls their wagons Avants (for some reason) and finally decided to bring them into our market. And, here’s the great part: not just any old wagon, er, Avant, but full-blown fire-breathing RS versions. And, they really decided to drive the point home with an RS Tribute edition to remind us how all this happened in the first place.

Back in 1994, the Audi RS2 Avant set the benchmark for high-performance wagons. With its 315 PS five-cylinder engine, excessive interior design, and the blaring Nogaro blue paint job, the 1994 RS2 Avant made a clear statement that wagons can be cool. It’s still considered iconic today by wagon enthusiasts and aficionados.

Fast forward to 2021, and Audi has thrown down a tribute to the RS2 Avant to drum up some hype for the upcoming RS 6 Avant. Called the “RS Tribute edition,” it’s a limited production run of 25 units that feature unique design elements that harken back to the iconic RS2 Avant.

2021 Audi RS 6 Avant RS Tribute Edition. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

Exterior Design

The new RS Tribute Edition includes the Nogaro Blue paint with black optic accents on the grille, side blades, rear diffuser, and roof rails. The side mirrors are body color, rather than the usual brushed aluminum. Big, honking 22-inch trapezoid-design, cast-aluminum wheels with summer tires are standard. The brake calipers are a flashy red.

Interior Treatments

The inside features carbon twill structure inlays and Denim blue contrast stitching to accentuate the exclusive Valcona S Sport seats. The steering wheel has a perforated covering, while the RS floor mats and upper and lower dashboard receive leather elements. The front seats also include Denim blue contrast stitching.

The RS Tribute Edition also comes standard with Audi’s Driver Assistance Package. The standard Executive package includes heated rear seats, heads-up display, power soft-closing doors, and the Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System.

But all this is just the icing – it’s the whole cake that’s really impressive.

2021 Audi RS 6 Avant RS Tribute Edition interior layout. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

Audi RS 6 Avant RS Tribute Edition Engine

The RS 6 Avant is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 putting out 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft. of torque. As you’d imagine, muscle car numbers like that translate into serious acceleration: zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, for example. Each Tribute edition is equipped with a sport exhaust that is driver-adjustable using the Audi drive select system. This way, you can dial it in to sound just right.

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Pricing & Availability

It’s taken a while, but we can finally get Audi’s hot wagon over here in the New World. The 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant RS Tribute Edition starts at $136,800. If you want one, the competition might be fierce. Like I said earlier, Audi is only making 25 of these Tribute Edition wagons.  

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 

Audi RS 6 Avant RS Tribute Edition Gallery

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Photos & Source: Audi of America, Inc.

Original article: 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant RS Tribute Edition: The 1994 RS2 Avant Comes Back!

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2021 Lexus GX 460: A Complete Walk Around This Luxurious Off-Roader

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 strives to be the perfect everyday driver with all-around functionality. On the one hand, it’s a vehicle built for the daily commute, but on the other, it’s put together with enough amenities and features for a family road trip. A seven-passenger SUV, the GX 460 has some off-road capabilities, but can also handle the unexpected blizzard or downpour. Depending on how ambitious you are, you could even take on an occasional mud puddle or two.

2021 Lexus GX 460: What’s New? 

The GX 460 already had the touches of luxury Lexus is synonymous with. Lexus made minor changes for 2021, but, at its core, the GX 460 remains mostly the same as prior years.

For some additional shine, drivers can opt for silver 18-inch wheels and a heated steering wheel with wood finishes, both available with the Premium and Premium Plus packages. Lexus added acoustic glass to muffle road and wind noise, which pairs well with the new Amazon Alexa compatibility. Now you can have your GX 460 play Iron Man without anything interrupting the seventh verse. With the 17-speaker surround sound system from the Premium Plus package, Ozzy will sound as good as he ever did . . . maybe better.

2021 Lexus GX 460. Photo: Lexus.

Interior Treatments & Seating Configurations

Lexus dresses the interior of the GX 460 with handpicked leather, even going as far as to say only a fraction is considered worthy for production. As an option, Rioja Red leather is available to complement the optional Gray Sapele wood trim. Lexus combines the Gray Sapele wood with brushed aluminum and – with laser technology – produces a wood finish with metallic flecks and swirls. The design is most apparent around the steering wheel.

Whether or not you like the wood trim, every driver can probably get behind the heated and ventilated front seats, especially after a long workday. Heated and ventilated seats are a standalone option for base models, but standard in the Premium and Luxury trim levels.

When it comes to the number of seats, the Sport Design Package for the Premium and Luxury includes the second-row captain’s chairs to accommodate six. Your GX 460 can seat seven by trading in the captain’s chairs for a second-row bench.

2021 Lexus GX 460 seating configuration for six. Photo: Lexus.

Connectivity & Safety

The homescreen in the GX 460 can display up to three separate sections which would possibly come in handy for selecting music while also having the GPS open. Lexus suggests that their three-dimensional map view makes an “even more effective driving partner.” If what Lexus is saying is true, we could have used it to avoid the “loving family” bickering while trying to get to Gatlinburg, Tennessee recently. The additional two USB charge ports in the new GX 460’s backseat would have probably helped with that too.

For extra peace of mind on the road, the GX 460 comes standard with the Lexus Safety System+ package. Lexus Safety System+ includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Intelligent High Beams, and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

2021 Lexus GX 460 interior layout. Photo: Lexus.

2021 Lexus GX 460: Engine & Powertrain

The GX 460 has a 4.6-liter V8 engine with 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft. of torque. The engine, complete with a cast aluminum block and sequential multi-port fuel injection, is attached to a six-speed automatic. When properly equipped, the big SUV tows 6,500 lbs. which isn’t too shabby for hauling a boat or trailer. Lexus also adds Trailer Sway Control to assist with the duties.

In an off-road situation – or what we would call a normal Michigan winter day – the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) helps keep all four wheels on the ground. The KDSS does this by adjusting the fluid flow from cylinder to cylinder, allowing the shocks to adapt to rougher road conditions. For even more control, the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) gives the driver the option of adjusting the suspension between Sport, Normal, and Comfort modes.

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Extra Off-Road Tools

Similarly, Multi-Terrain Select allows the driver more flexibility for different surfaces like loose rocks, mud, and sand. The system allows the wheelspin to better match the terrain by adjusting the throttle and brakes. The Multi-Terrain Monitor and Panoramic View Monitors display the front, rear, side, and underneath the GX 460 on the navigation screen. The visuals are helpful when you need to see the terrain around you.

The Crawl Control system is exactly what it sounds like. It allows the GX 460 to “crawl” steadily over rugged terrain by modulating the throttle and brakes with five low-speed settings. Crawl Control engages the front and rear locking differentials to provide more grip. It also works in reverse.

To get Multi-Terrain Select, the Panoramic View Monitors, and Crawl Control, you would opt for the Off-Road Package available in the Luxury trim. The Off-Road package also includes a transmission cooler and a skid plate for the fuel tank.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 features a TORSEN torque-sensing, limited-slip center differential. It distributes power 40:60 front to rear in most situations but changes the ratio as needed based on wheel slip. The four-wheel-drive system offers a low range for off-road driving, and the center differential can be electronically locked. Photo: Lexus.

2021 Lexus GX 460: Pricing & Availability

The new Lexus GX comes in six colors: Starfire Pearl, Atomic Silver, Nebula Gray Pearl, Nightfall Mica, Black Onyx, and Claret Mica. Interior colors include Black, Sepia, Ecru, and Rioja Red with a black headliner. The starting MSRP for base models is $53,100, while the Premium and Luxury start at $55,890 and $64,365.

Emily Pruitt is fascinated by the current changes in the automotive industry, from electric cars and infrastructure to fully autonomous vehicles. Outside of the automotive world, she can be found writing poetry or unraveling the latest mystery novel.

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Photos & Source: Lexus

Original article: 2021 Lexus GX 460: A Complete Walk Around This Luxurious Off-Roader

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Supersonica: A rapid Ducati Panigale from Jett Design

How many custom builders can squeeze the last ounce of performance out of a modern sportbike and give the aesthetics a jolt of adrenaline? Not many.

That makes Virginia-based Andrew Jett a rarity. The clue is in his fine arts/design background, coupled with a serious taste for speed. He wowed us a year ago with his custom Triumph Street Triple, and has just thrown the wraps off this brilliant custom Ducati Panigale.

The stats of the bike are impressive. Andrew has dropped the dry weight from 176 to 160 kilos (387 to 353 pounds), and bumped up the power from 157 hp to 165 at the crank. It makes an already fast bike even faster, with the speed to match its aggressive new looks.

“I’ve been intrigued by motorcycles since I was a kid,” says Andrew. “Combined with that fascination was a desire to modify bikes—with lighter weight, better handling and a more ‘focused’ experience for the rider.”

Andrew has called his bike the Ducati ‘955S’—after the engine capacity and the Superquadro motor. He bought it brand new off the showroom floor in early 2017. “It was the first Ducati I purchased, and I bought it as my personal bike. This bike has always been my personal favorite because of its intense riding experience.”

After a season of riding, it sat in the Jett Design workshop for almost two years while Andrew pondered over a redesign. “During the recent stay at home orders, I focused on getting this bike completely rebuilt. I had the time to think about what I really loved about it, and what factory design aspects I wanted to change.”

Andrew decided to go for a stripped-down lightweight machine, with more of a ‘naked’ riding experience. “I specifically wanted to delete the big factory fairings, and show everything that was deliberately covered up. It’s my personal vision of what a ‘super naked’ should be.”

The engine now breathes out through a new Werkes USA muffler, with a K&N racer filter on the intake end. The ECU has been remapped to suit by Duc Pond Motorsports, which is also Andrew’s local Ducati dealer.

The factory quick shifter is now married to a heavy-duty WSBK-style F.C.C. slipper clutch and Superlite sprockets, so Andrew can rip through the gear changes even faster than usual. The wheels are equally trick, being forged magnesium rims from Marchesini Racing.

The suspension is from the Italian race specialist Mupo, with new cartridges in the 43mm Showa forks and a new monoshock to match. Custom billet upper and lower triple trees tighten up the steering and a Bitubo fully adjustable steering damper keeps the front end planted at speed. The brakes get a boost from a new Brembo RCS 19 master cylinder.

After getting the dynamics sorted, Andrew turned his attention to the frame and bodywork. He’s ditched the all-enveloping stock fairing plastics, and crafted more compact and aggressive bodywork that reveals more of the mechanical elements.

The new front fairing now includes discreet LED lighting and is followed by a pair of ‘wings’ under the tank. The brackets holding everything together are a featherweight mix of carbon fiber and aluminum.

The back end of the frame is new, and simply acts as a support for the modified seat unit. It’s a big weight saving that doesn’t compromise rider ergonomics either, and there’s a compact LED light unit hidden under the perch.

The design is both minimal and brutal, and leagues ahead of the typical sportbike streetfighter treatment. “I knew whatever design I came up with, it had to be sleek and fit the nature of the bike,” says Andrew. “So this build has an industrial design flair, showcasing the engineering and mechanicals.”

With an all-black livery applied by ace painter Kevin Petitt of PetittBilt, the Panigale now looks like a stealth fighter ready to take off. We’re just not sure if we’ve got the cojones to ride it…

Jett Design Garage | Facebook | Instagram

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Radikal Klassisch: Moto Essence’s BMW R80 roadster

Every style of custom motorcycle has a clear-cut formula, but we like it best when builders tear up the blueprint and blur the lines. This refined BMW boxer has the clip-ons of a cafe racer and the high pipes of a scrambler, but it still looks just ‘right.’

It’s the work of Oliver and Dominik at Moto Essence in Gauting, a town just southwest of Munich. They simply call it a ‘classic roadster,’ and the unusual aesthetic is a byproduct of their consulting process.

Moto Essence’s customer originally wanted a scrambler but then changed tack, keeping only the exhaust design from the original brief.

Luckily the guys were working with a versatile donor: a 1985 BMW R80 RT. “We thought of building it ‘patinated’ and without modern aspects such as milled parts,” explains Oliver, “but this wouldn’t have matched the customer. He’s a fan of classic design but also a techie, so we decided to go for a mix of modern and classic high-tech parts.”

Oliver and Dominik tore the bike down to its nuts and bolts before getting started. Then they rebuilt the motor with a 1,004 cc kit, and installed a pair of Dell’Orto carbs with K&N filters. The exhaust system, from the headers to the mufflers, was custom-made by the German exhaust specialists Hattech.

Moto Essence also added a custom oil cooler setup, rewired the bike and hid the battery away.

Moving to the running gear, the duo laced up a set of Akront Morad high shoulder rims, and wrapped them in Bridgestone BT45 rubber.

If you’re wondering where that stunning front drum brake comes from, it’s off a Laverda SFC 750, sourced via a friend that has connections in the Laverda Club of Germany.

And yes, it was a mission to install, and even more challenging to adjust. But now that it’s dialed in, we’re told it’s performing flawlessly.

Higher up, Oliver and Dominik kept the OEM BMW fuel tank, but reworked the rear. The subframe’s a tweaked bolt-on unit from Sport Evolution, held up by a custom shock from YSS. It’s topped off with a custom seat, covered in brown leather with red highlights.

The aluminum fenders are hand-made, and the rear includes a classy taillight shroud for more of a vintage feel. A license plate bracket flanked by tiny LED turn signals finishes off the tail section.

Up front you’ll find a neatly milled top yoke from Sport Evolution, with a Motogadget speedo mounted off it. The guys also added clip-ons, with Motogadget switches and bar-end turn signals, and a single mirror. Smaller details include custom-made foot pegs, and a vintage-style gas cap.

Moto Essence’s customer originally wanted his Beemer finished in dark monochrome finishes, but the guys weren’t convinced. “When Dominik and I built up the silhouette,” says Oliver, “it was clear to us that we were creating a piece of cream cake. I’m glad we could convince him—I think it’s an eye-catcher.”

We agree… the red and cream livery is inspired, as is the decision to leave the motor mostly raw, with subtle black details. It’s a no-fuss build—more timeless than it is trendy, and a pretty decent ride too, by the sounds of it.

“It’s a really smooth ride,” Oliver tells us. “The engine combines the torque of 1,004 cc with the short primary drive ratio of the R80, which gives you superior acceleration. The 38mm Dell’Ortos respond much quicker than the original Bing constant velocity carbs do. The sound is bassy but not too loud.”

“After our test program, Dominik didn’t want to give the bike to the customer any more!”

Moto Essence | Facebook

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