Find of the Day: A Rare Audi S6 Plus Avant in Nogaro Blue

Every once in a while, a car appears for sale that reminds us just how many great Audis never officially made it to U.S. shores. This (or shall we say THIS) 1997 Audi S6 Plus Avant is one of those cars. Currently listed on Cars & Bids, this European-spec example is finished in the iconic Nogaro Blue over a black and blue leather and Alcantara interior, a color combination that perfectly captures Audi’s performance heritage of the 1990s. Better yet, it’s equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, making it exactly the kind of driver’s car Audi enthusiasts dream about owning.

Under the hood is a revised version of Audi’s naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 producing 322 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That may not sound extraordinary by today’s standards, but in the late 1990s it made the S6 Plus one of the quickest performance wagons in the world. Combined with quattro permanent all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, it delivered the kind of all-weather performance that would become an Audi trademark.

Rare and Wonderful

Its rarity only adds to its appeal. Offered for the 1997 model year only, Audi reportedly built just 855 S6 Plus Avants, making them one of the most desirable variants of the C4-generation S6. Unlike many collectible performance cars that spend their lives hidden away in climate-controlled garages, the S6 Plus was designed to be used. It could comfortably haul a family, tackle a snowstorm, or embarrass sports cars on a winding back road, all without attracting much attention.

This particular example has covered approximately 119,400 miles and has remained with its current owner since 2010. The seller reports a few tasteful upgrades, including a Porsche front brake conversion and a resonator delete, while noting typical cosmetic wear consistent with age and mileage. Three keys and service records are included with the sale.

As Audi enthusiasts know, the company’s reputation for building fast wagons didn’t begin with the RS 6 Avant. Cars like the S6 Plus laid the foundation years earlier. If you’ve ever wanted to own one of the rarest and most historically significant performance wagons Audi has ever built, opportunities like this don’t come around very often.  Bidding ends on Tuesday, July 7.

View the Cars & Bids listing here.