Top speed 155mph; 0 to 60mph in 3.9 seconds; and a starting price of £75,500.

If you thought those figures sounded like a glorious sports coupe from Maserati or Ferrari, then you’re wrong.

It is, in fact, an estate. OK, so Audi prefer to disguise that fact by calling it an Avant, but believe me it’s an estate. But it’s no ordinary estate. It is, arguably, the most impressive compromise on the road: an estate car that could blow your socks off.

On the one hand, it’s eminently sensible, a car that could swallow a week’s shopping (at Harrods, where else?). On the other, it’s a car that could leave every hot hatch in the country stranded at the lights.

Audi has made a name of late for creating a car all seasons, from affordable city cars, to three SUVs ranging from compact to huge, from rep-mobile saloon cars to the sort of vehicle presidents and prime ministers would do well to be seen in.

The Audi RS6 Avant is the estate car for the well-to-do. You see, not everyone wants a Range Rover. Some huntin’, shootin’ fishin’ types prefer to have some sensible sporting prowess and this car has it in abundance.

Now, it’s not perfect. I for one might baulk at paying so much for something so understated, though the chance to be so picky would be a fine thing.

It certainly looks like it can shift, but does it look like a £70,000 car? Only to true petrolheads.

But is Audi bothered? No, for there are enough well-bred, very well-heeled motoring enthusiasts who will make sure the RS6 Avant takes up a little space in their majestic driveways.

So, what do you get for your money? Well, the engine is the star here: a 4.0 litre V8 which purrs a little, but which can positively crackle with just a little persuasion.

It has a perfectly weighted eight-speed automatic gearbox and manages an almost eco-friendly 37.7mpg on a run.

Standard kit is extensive: power steering, stability control, alloy wheels, electric mirrors, windows and mirrors, cruise control, parking sensor, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth links and satellite navigation. If you are buying such a big estate, you’d be delighted to discover that the finely-appointed boot would hold 565 litres of luggage rising to 1,680 litres with the seats down.

If you are buying such a big estate, you’d be delighted to discover that the finely-appointed boot would hold 565 litres of luggage rising to 1,680 litres with the seats down.

Audi have realistic hopes for this flagship model. Sales will be in the hundreds rather than thousands, but this exotic machine really can be used as an everyday motor. You can’t say that about most £70,000-plus supercars with bullet performance. It is the third generation and a major improvement on the previous two in terms of economy and performance, and it’s also a little cheaper.

It is substantially lighter and has a fantastic engine which is a proper 4.0 V8, but under some conditions only four cylinders are used.

If you’re paying such a lot for a car you want to make sure its holds its value.

Don’t worry here. This model will retain 35 per cent of its value after three years which is ahead of rival exotica.

Of course it turns heads. Of course it rides and handles like a proper muscle car. But it has a very sensible side, too.

l Meanwhile, Audi is also planning to launch a saloon version of the A3. Costing from £24,275 to £28,105, the first UK deliveries will be in September.

An Audi spokesman said: “Short overhangs and sharply sculpted lines give the new A3 Saloon a distinctly purposeful stance, and this is reinforced by its two-tier specification. A choice of either Sport or S line trim levels will be available in the UK, and at launch will be offered in conjunction with a total of three engines – two petrol units and one TDI.”

Longer than the five-door A3 Sportback by just over 14 centimetres, wider by 11 millimetres and nine millimetres lower, the new compact four-door offers similarly accommodation, complemented by 425 litres of luggage space with the rear seats in place – 45 litres more than its five-door counterpart.

Audi RS6 Avant PRICE: £75,500. This is the flagship estate (or Avant, as Audi calls them) in the range.

ENGINE: A 3,993cc V8 engine 32 valve unit generating 560ps via eight-speed tiptronic gearbox and all four wheels PERFORMANCE: Top speed 155mph, 0 to 60mph in 3.9 seconds COSTS: town 20.3mpg; country 37.7mpg; combined 28.8mpg EMISSIONS: 229g/km WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles. It has a 12-year rust perforation guarantee.