Audi RS6 GT C8 Stock VS Akrapovic Titanium & Carbon Exhaust System Comparison

Spencer Abell

The Audi RS6 GT super estate is already a machine that leaves very little to be desired. As one of the most exclusive C8-generation RS6 models ever produced, this limited-edition powerhouse combines motorsport-inspired aerodynamics with track-honed chassis upgrades, setting it apart from even the mighty RS6 Performance. With just 660 cars worldwide, the RS6 GT sits at the pinnacle of Audi Sport engineering — aggressive, focused, and dripping with rarity.

But for Automotive Addiction boss Dhyllan, as special as the Audi RS6 GT is in standard form, there was one area that begged for enhancement: the exhaust note. A car this hardcore deserves a soundtrack to match its visual drama and dynamic capabilities. Enter Akrapovic — the world leader in high-performance exhaust systems — and their RS6 GT titanium exhaust system. Designed specifically for the C8-generation RS6 Avant, and priced at just over £10,000, it’s as serious as the car it was built for.

When it comes to Audi’s iconic RS models, few companies possess as much in-depth knowledge and expertise as Automotive Addiction. Having sold over 700 highly specified RS models over the years, as well as being moderators on the Audi RS OC Facebook group and the owners of the Audi RS3 8Y and Audi RS6 GT Owners Club Facebook groups, there’s very little we don’t know about the Ingolstadt brand’s legendary machines.

But we don’t just sell them. As passionate enthusiasts ourselves, we own them and modify them too, turning both our customers and our own automotive dreams into reality, which is exactly what we are doing by adding an uprated exhaust system to our ultra rare C8-generation RS6 GT.

Why the RS6 GT is So Special

Before diving into the titanium exhaust system transformation, it’s worth revisiting why the Audi RS6 GT is so significant. Inspired by the legendary IMSA GTO race cars of the late 1980s, the GT is more than just a styling exercise. Audi Sport stripped weight, sharpened handling, and added aerodynamic trickery such as a huge adjustable rear wing, front wing vents, and aggressive carbon details.

The twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 remains ferociously capable, with over 600 horsepower on tap, but it’s the car’s sharper character and limited production run that elevate it into instant collector’s item territory. This is Audi’s most focused RS6 yet — and as Dhyllan explained, “A car this hardcore deserves an exhaust note that lives up to the way it looks and drives.”

Why Akrapovič?

When it came to choosing the right exhaust, there was really only one name at the top of the list. Akrapovic has built its reputation through decades of motorsport success and by supplying factory racing teams with some of the most advanced exhaust technology on the planet. Bought from tuning specialists Peron Automotive, the Akrapovic titanium exhaust system offered the perfect blend of sound, performance, and engineering pedigree for the Audi RS6 GT super estate.

Manufactured from high-grade titanium, the Evolution Line system is a masterpiece of design and execution. It features one central and two side mufflers, linked by titanium collectors and freer-flowing stainless-steel link pipes that are larger in diameter than stock. Akrapovic even went as far as developing custom-made flex tubes, fully insulated where they attach to the downpipes, ensuring durability and precision fitment.

Compared to the stock system, the Akrapovic titanium exhaust system is not only lighter with a more consistent diameter bore and smoother bends to optimise gas flow, but it also looks much better too, its simple uncluttered lines and stunning titanium finish producing a system of unrivalled beauty – even if most people won’t even see it!

Control comes via three valves — one on each side muffler (as with the OEM system), plus a third inside Akrapovič’s complex active X-connection. All of these housings are cast in Akrapovic’s in-house foundry, underlining just how bespoke this system really is. The result is not just a louder exhaust, but one that is acoustically tuned to perfection across the entire rev range, and our Audi RS6 GT is the very first in the UK to receive this stunning system.

Tailpipes with a Difference

The finishing touch is a set of unique carbon-fibre/titanium tailpipes. Unlike anything Akrapovic has produced before, they combine a handmade carbon-fibre sleeve with a sandblasted, coated titanium inner section. The result is a muscular, motorsport-inspired look that perfectly complements the Audi super estate’s widened arches and aggressive aero. For even more drama, Akrapovic also offers a handmade carbon diffuser, available in either matte or gloss finish.

The Installation

Even though the titanium exhaust system comes with all necessary gaskets, fixings, wiring, and detailed instructions for installation, fitting the Audi RS6 GT exhaust to our car wasn’t without its challenges. The downpipe bolts and valve wiring are notoriously awkward to reach on the C8-generation RS6 platform, and with such an expensive system, precision is everything. Before installation, the entire setup was painstakingly ceramic coated to protect it from the elements and retain its flawless finish for years to come.

Once installed, the difference was immediate. Even in Comfort mode with the valves closed, the note is noticeably deeper and more purposeful than stock. Switch into Dynamic mode or use the handheld Akrapovic controller to fully open the valves, and the RS6 GT comes alive. The tone sharpens, volume increases significantly, and every downshift is punctuated by a crisp bark and overrun crackle. It’s everything Dhyllan wanted — an exhaust note that matches the GT’s extreme presence.

Sound and Performance

The real genius of the Akrapovic Audi RS6 GT exhaust is its balance. Despite the more aggressive tone, there’s no unwanted drone at motorway speeds. You can commute in Comfort mode without disturbing the neighbours, then unleash the full V8 soundtrack when the mood strikes.

Akrapovič also backs up the drama with measurable performance gains. On their in-house dyno, the Evolution Line (Titanium) showed a 15.7bhp increase at 6,150 rpm and a torque gain of 17.9 Nm at the same point, compared to Audi’s stock Sport exhaust. Perhaps even more impressive is the 10.4 kg weight saving — more than 20% lighter than the factory setup. In a car like the C8-generation RS6 GT, every kilo counts.

The Result

For Dhyllan and the Automotive Addiction team, this titanium exhaust upgrade was about unlocking the full character of the Audi RS6 GT. The Audi RS6 C8 exhaust system from Akrapovic amplifies everything that makes this car special — rarity, aggression, performance, and presence. It’s an investment in both sound and performance, a system as meticulously engineered as the car itself.

In Comfort mode, it remains civilised enough for long journeys or daily use. But open the valves with the press of a button, and the GT transforms into something feral, snarling with motorsport DNA. It’s a true Jekyll-and-Hyde experience that elevates the already special Audi RS6 GT into a league of its own.

To see and – more importantly – hear the results of this awesome upgrade, check out our Youtube video below.

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