Dan Trent: Audi RS6 – making supercars weep

Audi is a brand I have a slightly on/off relationship with. On a good, day, however, Audi's ability to make completely mad cars appear like utterly sensible and rational purchases remains utterly beguiling. And in its RS Avant models it's stuck consistently to a combination of bonkers power clothed in bodies with just enough visual muscle to make them stand out from the rest of the range. Without attracting the wrong sort of attention. These cars have been very forward thinking too, adopting downsized, twin-turbo V6 and V8 engines to spectacular effect decades before such engines became the industry norm. See also the clever interlinked, roll cancelling DRC damping system, ESP-based 'locking' differentials and dedication to fitting suitably massive brakes up to the job of reining it all in when required.

So I'm looking forward to my turn with the latest RS6. And, inevitably, it's got me browsing the classifieds for old ones. Incredible to see there are examples of the bruising 5.0-litre twin-turbo V10 of the previous generation for just £25K or so. Is there a cheaper way to get a 571bhp (580PS) car on your driveway?

But I like V8s. And the 4.2-litre example in the original C5 RS6 is an interesting one, not just for its 444bhp (450PS) output and thunderous noise. Launched in 2002, and like the twin-turbo V6 RS4, its engine was developed with help from Cosworth, the technology arm of which VW kept after selling the motorsport side back to Ford. Cosworth's proprietary casting technology was used for the intake manifolds and turbo installation, this little-known British connection adding a little geeky garnish on top of the RS6's already appealing combination of ingredients.

And they're relatively cheap to buy now. A £58,800 car when new, RS6 Avants can now be had for around £12K, though you have to buy with eyes open and accept it's not going to be a cheap car to run. Just look at it though. The restrained aggression of the looks is just perfect to my eyes, the interior is rock solid and tastefully emboldened with a nice combination of luxury and a few sporty trimmings. And it goes like absolute stink. Sure, they're all five-speed autos. But I don't think that's an inappropriate choice for a car of this nature.

Inevitably I'm tempted by the later, limited edition Plus variant, which got 480hp/473bhp, some mean looking grey alloys and lower, stiffer suspension. But these are hard to find and considerably more expensive. Many have been tuned too. Which makes this bog standard 'regular' RS6 Avant at £12,500 look like good value. Understated silver over black trim, standard 19-inch wheels, black leather interior, lower than average miles and an honest-sounding vendor all sound appealing too. OK, so it's located on the Isle of Man. But if it all stacked up and a deal was struck I'd also get to properly extend it on the famously limit-free roads before bringing it home and enjoying that fabulous combination of stealth looks and monstrous performance closer to home. I like a fast estate. And they don't come much faster than the RS6.