Stress-inducing and blood-boiling traffic jams at the causeway are reason enough to leave the car at home and take an hour-long flight up to Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia. So why do Singaporeans still drive up north?
The simple answer? It's way more enjoyable. Once you've cleared the Malaysian customs, of course. Even though it would take only an hour to get to KL by plane, the journey always begins earlier and ends later than the stipulated one-hour flight duration. Check-in and boarding times, taxiing, and other possible flight delays typically increase travel time by two or, maybe, threefold.
Anything worth doing in life is worth overdoing
Recently, I got the chance to drive the Audi RS6 Avant up to Sepang for the Audi R8 LMS Cup and it was one of the most enjoyable, least taxing long distance drives I've ever done.
Like most drive travels, the objective was clear and we knew what we needed to get the job done with ease - a car with enough muscle underneath the bonnet to gobble up tarmac yet have enough cabin and boot space to accommodate three adults and all our luggage in comfort.
Power… unlimited power!
With a 4.0-litre V8 putting out 560bhp and 700Nm of torque underneath the bonnet, the RS6 Avant swallows miles upon miles of road without even breaking a sweat. That much power can be quite intimidating on our roads. But with the North-South Highway on our horizon, the causeway but a dot in our rear view mirror, and all eight-cylinders at our disposal, we set off to find out what this four-wheeled beast was capable of. And it did not disappoint.
Despite weighing over 1.9 tonnes, the German wagon manages to pull off the line at warp speed, completing the century sprint in an impressive 3.9 seconds. Even though it measures in at close to five metres long and weighs over 1.9 tonnes, the Avant feels light on its feet, with an agility that rivals much smaller and more nimble rivals.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The RS6 Avant can switch from savage Mr. Hyde to calm and collected Dr. Jekyll in the blink of an eye. Lay off the throttle and its eight cylinders shut down to only four in a manner so subtle you'll only realise it via an indication on the instrument cluster.
Economy class seats are upright and have little to no legroom. Plus, it's not uncommon to be seated near crying babies, people who kick your seat from behind or that one guy who has to use the restroom every 15 minutes.
Seats in the RS6 Avant, on the other hand, provide lumbar support, offer more than sufficient legroom and don't make your bottom sore after long drives. Add to that the Avant's supreme ride comfort and cabin refinement, and 350km suddenly seems a whole lot more bearable. It also doesn't hurt to have a 1,680-litre boot, which effortlessly accommodates luggage for three.
I'm not leaving on a jet plane
Yes, flying up to KL would be more convenient than driving. However, you wouldn't get the same amount of freedom as what you'd have on the road. You could drop by Malacca along the way for some Chendol or even head to Yong Peng for Bak Kut Teh. It would be entirely up to you.
That said, road trips can be taxing but they can be a lot of fun in the right car. With a tonne of muscle, comfortable accommodations and plenty of space, the Audi RS6 Avant makes for the perfect grand tourer.
