Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi RS6 Avant

If there's anything the 580-horsepower Audi RS6 Avant isn't lacking, it's power. But according to AutoTelegraaf, Audi plans to launch a "Plus" version of its insane estate towards the end of the RS6 life cycle. According to the Dutch site, Audi insiders said that a new "Plus" version would go on sale sometime in 2011, just as the A6 is about to get a mild facelift. The "Plus" will supposedly receive tweaks to its suspension and engine, with the V10 producing 613 horsepower.

This wouldn't be the first time Audi offered a "Plus" variant of the RS6. The original, C5-based RS6, built from 2002 to 2004, got a boost in output during the last three months of production, netting an additional 30 hp (from 450 hp to 480 hp), through the use of a remapped ECU and two additional radiators mounted behind the intercoolers. The Plus version also benefited from standard DRC, 19-inch wheels and a sports suspension that dropped the wagon 10mm. Production was limited to just 999 units.


[Source: AutoTelegraaf via WCF]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi A4 Avant.

Audi was nice enough to provide us with some more shots of the 2009 A4 Avant ahead of its official unveiling in Geneva next month. As discussed previously, the new estate gets an extra five inches tacked onto its back end to produce a total of 50-cubic feet of storage in the boot. At this point, Audi will only be offering those of us in the States the 2.0-liter TFSI, whereas sedan buyers can opt for the larger 3.2-liter V6. Disappointing as that may be, Audi was able to shave off ten-percent of the weight on this model when compared to the outgoing version.

Check our original post for all of the details and see the gallery below for 29 images of Audi's new A4 Avant.

Sporting a subtle IMSA-flared look, Audi's new V10-powered RS6 sedan has been caught while testing in Scandinavia. It looks pretty much like a finished car when it comes to styling and packaging - the lack of camouflage really allows you to see the more muscular elements like flared fenders, a more aggressive fascia, and a diffuser in the rear. With the brake calipers carrying RS6 badging outside, and the seats doing the same for the interior, it's going to be tough for anyone to miss the RS6 should they be dense enough to miss the obviously beefed up styling. Perhaps, though, the best place for the logo would have been in the taillight lenses, as that's pretty much all other drivers will ever see of this car. The V10 lays down ridiculous numbers in the RS6 Avant, and we'd expect nothing less from the sedan when it debuts later this year. We won't look for the roof mounted driving light set in the accessory catalog, though.

[Source: World Car Fans]

click above for more high-res shots of the Audi A4 Special Edition

One of the unexpected Chicago announcements this year is the 2008 Audi A4 Special Edition, an obvious model run-out push in advance of the new A4's arrival. The specialness comes from an extra equipment package that adds value via standard 17" Y-Spoke wheels and, on quattro-equipped models, standard heated leather seats. The Special Editions come with one year of free SIRIUS satellite radio and are powered by the sprightly 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder. Naturally, Audi will happily let you pad the bottom line on the A4 SE's sticker price by further enhancing it with any currently-available A4 options and/or packages (S-Line, etc.). Look for the A4 Special Edition in sedan and Avant bodystyles to arrive at your local Audi dealers by the middle of next month.

[Source: Audi]

click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi RS6 Avant

There are a lot of different figures to get caught up in when discussing Audi's UK-spec RS6 Avant, and most of them concern the wagon's performance. Let's start with power. The RS6 produces 572 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque from a twin-turbo'd V10. That means 60 comes up in 4.6 seconds, the quarter mile is dispatched in 14.9 seconds (at 124 mph) and Audi has to limit the top speed to 155 mph for fear of... well, you name it.

The price on the other hand is just as shocking. £77,625 is the cost of entry for the RS6, but only 380 Avants will be produce this year and they've all been snatched up by enthusiasts with a few kids and a dog to schlep around. Granted, the RS6 Avant comes equipped with Quattro, ESP, 20-inch rollers and Alcantara lining the inside, but that price doesn't include the optional carbon ceramic brakes. Just for some perspective, you can pick up the M5 Touring in the UK for about £10,000 less – even the R8 is about a grand cheaper.

[Source: Top Gear]

The Outback treatment of the new Impreza may not be a best seller, but if emerging reports are to be believed, Audi thinks it can do a better mini-me impression by applying the Allroad concept – its take on the Outback theme – to the smaller A4.

Currently the Audi Allroad is based on the mid-range A6 Avant Quattro wagon, with an off-road suspension and contrasting body-cladding. Like the Outback and the XC70 version of Volvo's V70 wagon, the Allroad offers sport-ute appeal and functionality with better driving dynamics and less weight to schlep around.

A beefed-up A4 Avant Quattro could provide an attractive alternative to the emerging field of compact SUVs like the BMW X3 and Acura RDX ,as well as upcoming models like the Mercedes GLK, Infiniti EX and even Audi's own Q5. Then again, maybe poaching its own sales wouldn't be that great an idea.

[Source: AutoBild via Motor Authority]

click above image to view high-res gallery of the Audi RS6

When Satan is going to have some friends over and needs to go shopping, he grabs the keys to the Audi RS6 Avant. Why? Because it's a station wagon -- and it will only come as a wagon to begin with -- that costs more than 101,000 euros, which is nothing short of hellish. It also has 580 HP, though some claim that's a bit of false modesty and the car actually has 600 HP. Then there are the ceramic brakes riding massive rotors, the perfect cure for The Nefarious One's hot foot. Inside, curvaceous buckets taper upward to curved horns for headrests. And finally, while it has a face and a mien that many people could love, it takes a demon -- speed or otherwise -- to truly appreciate.

Inside is stitched leather and carbon fiber and alcantara for days. The car only comes as a tiptronic, but it's been recalibrated for very short shift times. There is absolutely no reason for a supersonic station wagon, especially one that doesn't come with helmets and re-entry suits, but who cares? It's hot enough for Hades, and the guy who runs it.

Click Read for the Audi press release, and be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res photos.

The details surrounding the Audi RS6 are out, but that doesn't mean that testing has ended. The RS6 has been sighted donning heavy camo all over the free world, and after the jump we have video of a virtually undisguised RS6 Avant doing a powerslide at a bend of the famed Nürburgring Nordshcleife. The video is almost as quick as the RS6, but if you like screaming engines and squealing tires, it's worth a watch. Heck, part of the reason we're flying all the way over to the Frankfurt Motor Show is to see Audi's fastest ever sedan and wagon.

[Source: Carscoop]

Click the image above for more high-res pics.

The folks over at Auto Motor und Sport (and Dubspeed) let loose several images and specs on Audi's forthcoming RS6 Avant, and although the pics are pretty, the real story is the power. Sporting a 5.2-liter V10, complete with TSI and two turbos swinging from the exhaust manifolds, the RS6 will be producing upwards of 580 HP and 480 lb.-ft. of torque. This allows the Avant to jaunt to 60 in under 4.6 seconds and onto an electronically limited top speed of 155 MPH.

The official unveiling is days away in Frankfurt, so expect more to follow.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via German Car Blog, Dubspeed via Jalopnik]

While flashy, high dollar exotics have their place in the world; utilitarian Q-ship have a special place in our hearts -- Audi wagons in particular. Although its no surprise that when Audi releases the new RS6, likely next month in Frankfurt, the wagon model won't be too far off, and these newest spy shots confirm our suspicions that progress is well underway.

Packing what's expected to be a 5.2-liter V10 with a set of turbos attached to the exhaust manifold, the RS6 should be good for somewhere in the neighborhood of 550 to 600 HP. And while physics-altering acceleration is expected, only true sleeper aficionados will be able to recognize the beefed-up brakes, reworked bumper, larger dual exhausts and diffusers.

We'll be on hand in Frankfurt if Audi does in fact pull the wraps off the RS6, and we'll start boning up on our German so we can pester execs about the launch of the Avant.

[Source: World Car Fans]