GMG S6Todd Richards, a professional snow boarder, brought this stunning Audi S6/RS6 Plus conversion to the party at the last minute. It was so cool we let him stay. It's not every day you see a car as unique as this.
Its sizable interior meant it held lots of the support gear we needed and its smooth ride made it a favorite for the photographers. The Hotchkis/Bilstein/GMG suspension left it much like something from Audi's own S line. Your grandpa might call it a racecar; you call it just right.
Although the normally aspirated engine is wound fairly tight, GIAC coaxed enough power from the V8 to make a noticeable difference. The mid-upper end is met with a more pronounced snap while the big Brembos and upgraded RS6 rear brakes negate the forward momentum with frightening brevity.
GMG's use of the RS6 interior bits worked beautifully-in other words, you hardly notice them. The cabin is clean, efficient... totally Audi.
Todd's choice of cars is indicative of his lifestyle. It looks cool, goes fast and performs with unflagging reliability. -Les Bidrawn
Engine4.2-liter V8, four overhead cams, four valves per cylinderMods: Sport downpipe and exhaust, GIAC software
SuspensionMods: Bilstein coilovers, GMG adjustable front and rear links, Hotchkis anti-roll bars
BrakesMods: Brembo Gran Turismo (f), RS6 disc conversion (r), braided lines, Pagid pads
Wheels and TiresBBS LM, 9x19BFG G-Force KDW, 235/35-19
ExteriorRS6 Euro-spec front bumper, side skirts
InteriorEuro-spec RS6 accents, RS6 steering wheel
PerformancePeak Power: Not testedPeak Torque: Not tested
Getting it doneWe devised a series of tests for this group, activities we felt appropriate for the subject matter. Our friends at GIAC in Irvine, Calif., lent us their Mustang awd dyno and let us go wild all day long. We plotted a road course that took us some 200 miles to the north, pretty much into the middle of nowhere where long ribbons of pavement lay unmolested and largely untraveled. Later we visited the local Home Depot and loaded each with as many bags of mulch as we could. Finally, late one night we crept out and set up a shopping cart slalom at the local Mega Mart. As it happens, the security guard happened to drive an old Volvo 240 wagon, so we let him try ipd's V70 hot rod and all was well. The last test was seeing how long other drivers gawked at the various cars. Which did hot moms (or dads) find more interesting? See for yourself.