Autoblog

Audi S6/RS6, S7, S8 power numbers revealed

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Rumormill, Luxury

2012 Audi A7 - Click above for high-res image gallery

German publication Autobild has reportedly acquired some powertrain details about a few upcoming Audi models, including the S6, S7 and S8. Apparently we can expect a twin-turbocharged V8 packing up to 500 horsepower in the S8, while the S6 and S7 will get 440 and 470 horsepower, respectively.

Toward the end of 2012, Audi will unleash the RS6, which will carry a BMW M5-besting, 580-horsepower version of the same twin-turbo mill powering the S6. We still don't know how big the proposed engine is - earlier reports have suggested that a 4.0-liter V8 is in store - but it should get 20 percent better fuel economy than the outgoing naturally aspirated V10.

Audi S6/RS6, S7, S8 power numbers revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi recalls A6, S6, RS6 over possible fuel tank issue

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:19:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Recalls, Safety, Audi, Luxury

2004 Audi A6 Avant - Click above for high-res image gallery

Got a hankering to own an Audi from the beginning of the Aughts? If you're hunting for an example that wears a model badge with the number "6," you might want to have a mechanic take a look its nipples. More specifically, make sure the rollover valve in the fuel system has been given proper attention, otherwise the nipple can become cracked and lead to fuel winding up on the ground instead of feeding the engine.

Audi and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have just announced a recall for specific years of the Audi A6, S6 and RS6. This recall affects 2001-2004 A6 models, 2002-2003 S6 models and the 2003 RS6. Up to 5,992 vehicles are potentially affected by this action. Click past the jump for the official recall announcement with more details.

Continue reading Audi recalls A6, S6, RS6 over possible fuel tank issue

Audi recalls A6, S6, RS6 over possible fuel tank issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokian tires claims it's already beaten Bentley's new ice speed record with Audi [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Europe, Videos, Audi

Nokian Tires slides past Bentley's Ice Speed Record - Click above to watch video after the jump

Nokian Tires was paying close attention to Bentley's Ice Speed Record. If you don't recall, Bentley used a Continental Supersports Convertible to dash across a stretch of ice last month at 205 miles per hour, 205.48 to be exact. Nokian strapped a set of its Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tires on to an Audi RS6 and decided to have its own icy blast. Thanks to the grippy rubber and aerodynamic mods (as well as a curious lack of detail regarding performance mods), the Nokian team and driver Janne Laitinen upped the ice-speed ante with a trap figure of 206.05 miles per hour.

The Nokian team previously set an Ice Speed Record using its Hakkapeliitta 5 tires. During that run, a Bentley was used, but this time Nokian preferred Four Rings, Quattro all-wheel-drive and its latest generation of studded snow tires. Click past the jump to watch the new record and Nokian's previous 199.86 mile per hour record run. Thanks for the tip, Ville!

Gallery: Nokian Tyres sets new Ice Speed Record

[Source: Nokian Tires]

Continue reading Nokian tires claims it's already beaten Bentley's new ice speed record with Audi [w/video]

Nokian tires claims it's already beaten Bentley's new ice speed record with Audi [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Say It Ain't So: No next-generation Audi RS4?

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Audi, Rumormill, Luxury

Audi RS4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Car and Driver's German correspondent delivered some bad news to enthusiasts with the revelation that the Audi RS4 won't get a "direct successor" because the RS5 is enough for all-wheel drive performance junkies. How the Audi brass came to that conclusion is beyond us - a fighting four door is just as entertaining and vastly more practical than its coupe counterpart. Just ask BMW. It was smart enough to offer the E92 M3 in both sedan and coupe form.

In related news, C/D's "Continental" says that the RS6 will live on, likely with a twin-turbocharged V8. Our own sources suggest that engine will displace 4.0 liters and output close to 600 horsepower. So, one out of two ain't bad...

Gallery: Review: 2008 Audi RS4

[Source: Car and Driver]

Say It Ain't So: No next-generation Audi RS4? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bahn burner turned track rat: MTM Audi RS6 Clubsport

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Audi, Specialty

Audi RS6 Clubsport by MTM - Click above for image gallery

Of all the products in the Audi arsenal, we're not sure if the RS6 would be our track rat of choice. It's twin-turbocharged V10, massive meats and grippy all-wheel drive system is surely the stuff of track-day dreams, but we've always been more enamored by the RS6's brutal, road-going civility - it's simply better suited to high-speed cross-country runs rather than full-on tarmac attacks. MTM appears to disagree.

The German tuner of all things Audi has put the sedan variant under the knife to create the RS6 Clubsport, and as with everything from MTM, it's a compellingly comprehensive package.

The mods start with a new front lip, carbon fiber rear diffuser, an adjustable suspension and black 21-inch wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. Inside, the factory thrones have been nixed in favor of a duo of carbon fiber Recaro buckets with six-point harness attached to a rear-mounted roll cage that's sure to have displaced the rear seats.

Engine upgrades are limited to a high-flow air filter and stainless steel exhaust, but with the help of MTM's crack ECU tuners, they've been able to boost output of the turbo'd 5.0-liter V10 to 720 horsepower (at 6,360 rpm) and and 579 pound-feet of torque (between 2,750 and 6,280 rpm) - a sizable increase over the stock engine's 571 hp and 479 lb-ft of twist. And if you option up the tires to one of the four available compounds (and why wouldn't you?), a derestricted top speed of 211 mph can be yours. We think we'll take ours in five-door form, sans the cage. Maybe in brown...

Gallery: Audi RS6 Clubsport by MTM

[Source: MTM via LeBlogAuto]

Bahn burner turned track rat: MTM Audi RS6 Clubsport originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Legalize It: Horchaus federalizing non-U.S. Audis for North America

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Europe, Audi, Canada

All your dreams do come true - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're going back and forth on this one. Do we file it under "We'll believe it when we see it" or "Pinch me I'm dreaming"? Either way, we get to sub-tag it, "Thank God for rich friends." That's right y'all, Audi is allowing Horchaus, the Canadian distributor MTM, to federalize some special four-ringers for American consumption. These are the real deal, hopped-up German Audis, straight from the tweaker factory.

As we're sure you all know, Audi keeps a whole bunch of extra spicy models back in Europe. Why? The excuses typically involve some song and dance about Americans not wanting high performance station wagons (as if), though in the case of the RS4 Avant (arguably the most desirable car we can't buy), the U.S. prohibition was because the rear-mounted battery didn't pass DOT certification...

So which cars can we now get via Horchaus? The RS4 Avant, RS4 Convertible, S3, the RS6 sedan and RS6 Avant, Q7 V12 TDI and TT RS. And there's something else to note: Since Euro-tuner MTM is involved in the equation, these cars can be pumped up a bit over stock. One example would be the twin-turbo V10 in the RS6 upped from a paltry 580 horsepower to a more appropriate 735 hp.

That said, Horchaus's pricing announcement is leading us back to the "We'll believe it when we see it" category. Using nothing but a straight Euros-to-dollars conversion rate, the RS6 would cost you about $150,000. However, Horchaus is saying it can be yours for just $107,600. Here's where it gets hinky. Supposedly Horchaus can sell you a R8 V10 5.2 FSI for $98,000, which is mucho less expensive than Audi USA sells them for (the last one we drove cost $172,250). We don't believe this last bit. Still, will us Americanos be able to get two of the hottest wagons in the world? Si senor, si.

UPDATE: After collaborating with a few colleagues who've spoken with people at both Audi Canada and Audi of America, along with Audi AG, we're a little unsure how a few of the vehicles listed could make it to the States and be legalized. The RS4 and S4 Avants shouldn't be a problem, as both have had their engines federalized and the S4 Avant has been crash-tested for the U.S. requirements. The RS6 Avant and its V10 engine have not, so importation of that beast is hardly cut and dry. We'll continue poking around and update this post as necessary.

Gallery: Audi RS6

[Source: IEDEI ]

Legalize It: Horchaus federalizing non-U.S. Audis for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi introduces two new limited-edition packages for the RS6

Drew Phillips — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, Audi

Audi RS 6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It wouldn't take much to convince us to lay down the money for an Audi RS6 if our pockets were deep enough (and if it was available in the United States). After all, what's not to like? The twin-turbo V10 puts out 580 horsepower and 479 pound-feet torque through a rear-bias all-wheel drive system, and the super sedan and wagon can reach 60 mph in the mid-four second range. As some extra incentive, Audi has announced that it is launching a pair of new equipment packages that make us North America-bound types even more jealous than we were before.

Limited to just 500 units, the Sport and Audi exclusive packages will each feature carbon fiber trim in the engine bay, 20-inch five spoke wheels and an uprated sport suspension. The Sport package also gets a leather-covered instrument panel hood and center console, while the Audi exclusive option allows customers to specify unique colors for both the exterior paint and leather interior. You can read full details in the press release after the jump, if you can deal with the envy.

Gallery: 2009 Audi RS6

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi introduces two new limited-edition packages for the RS6

Audi introduces two new limited-edition packages for the RS6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's Good to Be the King: Juan Carlos of Spain parks a tuned Audi RS6 in his fleet

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:52:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, Audi, Luxury

Spanish King Don Juan Carlos' Audi RS6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Wouldn't it be nice to select cars from an automaker's fleet the way you select lobsters from a tank? Some, like King Juan Carlos of Spain, can do exactly that, and this is his latest lobster: a blackout-remixed Audi RS6 sedan. About the only things not given the midnight treatment are the headlights, taillights, and signal indicators on the mirrors. Even the exhaust tips are black.

A book last year alleged that the king owned 71 cars and had a team of 65 attendants to care for them. If true, this one makes a worthy 72nd. Somehow we don't think the royal standards and light bars mounted behind the grille are normal Audi options - but we might ask next time we stop by the showroom. You can get a few more looks at it in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Spanish King Don Juan Carlos' Audi RS6

[Source: Diario Motor (translated)]

It's Good to Be the King: Juan Carlos of Spain parks a tuned Audi RS6 in his fleet originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi RS6 Avant driver reportedly caught going 133 MPH with nearly 2,000 pounds of pot

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Etc., Europe, Audi, Luxury

Audi RS6 Avant - Click above to for high-res image gallery

If you read publications about cars long enough, you'll no doubt catch on to our pro-wagon bias. In fact, if us auto-journo types ran things, SUVs, CUVs and sedans would be banned, and all passenger cars would either be mid-engined, 500 horsepower coupes or 600 hp wagons. With manuals and roll up windows. No, really. This is the type of thinking required to join our vaunted profession. However, one of the many reasons we want mega-burly wagons isn't to haul one ton of dope around.

Seems that a twin-turbo, Lambo-V10 engined Audi RS6 Avant (good for at least 580 hp) was busted outside of Seville, Spain for not only going 133 mph, but for carrying 2,000 pounds of pot. Twenty-seven bundles of hashish to be specific. Value? €120,000, or about $180,000 USD. That's a lot of grass, man. And probably about one thousand pounds more than a RS6 sedan could have carried. Er... umm... we mean.... "Bad RS6 Avant, bad!"

Gallery: 2008 Audi RS6 Avant

[Source: Motor Pasion]

Audi RS6 Avant driver reportedly caught going 133 MPH with nearly 2,000 pounds of pot originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MTM Audi RS6 Avant goes 214 mph, proves wagons uber alles!

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Wagon, Europe, Audi

As a profession, there's a very long list of cars on sale in Europe that we can't buy which us auto journo types nevertheless constantly rattle our (virtual) pens over. From the Volkswagen Scirocco to the Honda Civic Type R to the 300+ hp Ford Focus to the Citroen C6, total and complete absence makes the heart grow fonder -- as well as providing an easy, brainless way for us to end all stories about said forbidden fruit. I mean imagine reading this line, "The BMW M5 Wagon sports a 507 hp 5.0-liter V10 and can run up over 200 mph with the limiter removed. Leave it in Germany!"

That said, there are a few cars that we really do want. As in, when we get together after hours on a press launch with some free booze and really start talking cars, these are the vehicles we pine for. For instance, as nifty as the Ford Focus RS is, we get to drive around in the MazdaSpeed3 often enough -- we'll live. But the aforementioned M5 Wagon? Gotta have it. Or the RS4 Avant? Mommy please. ~~Or the Citroen C6?~~ Or, perhaps best of all, the twin-turbo V10 Audi RS6 Avant? Oh man -- could you imagine? So yes, it's true -- all automotive journalists secretly (and not so secretly) spend their lives lusting after mega-horsepower wagons. Now you know how unreasonable and silly we all are.

Oh, yeah -- almost forgot. MTM just took their tuned 702 hp RS6 Avant to the annual Nardo High Speed event, and it blew the doors off all the other cars, two-door sports cars included. How fast? 344.2 km/h. Translated into something us 'Mericans can understand: 214 miles per hour. Can we get a dang? DANG! Full results appear next month in Auto Motor und Sport -- we'll keep you posted.

[Source: MTM]

MTM Audi RS6 Avant goes 214 mph, proves wagons uber alles! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third-gen Audi A8 to be "stronger, sharper, more precise"

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Audi

From the first lozenge-shaped A8 that hit American shores in 1997, Audi's flagship sedan has slowly been asserting itself more and more. The current A8 W12 is almost always given credit for its beautiful-yet-subtle design and a glorious interior. American buyers, however, haven't thrown money at it like they do the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S Class. Audi is out to change that with the 2011 A8.

Among the changes, Audi is trumpeting improvements to the car's handling, the area in which it has traditionally lost ground to its European luxo-sedan brethren. The rear-biased quattro system will also be enhanced with Audi's "sport differential" torque-vectoring system, and if other markets clamors for it, Audi will offer the front-drive A8 outside of Europe. Inside, expect a raft of changes to the interior and a "more innovative" MMI system.

As before, the A8 will come in regular and long wheelbase versions, and provide a wide range of engines for world markets, from a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel through to the S8's V10. The transmission will be the same 8-speed ZF unit used by the 2009 BMW 7 Series.

All of it will be wrapped in sheetmetal that Audi says will be "stronger, shaper, more precise," a design that will make efforts to highlight the car's aluminum build technology. Said head designer Stefan Sielaff, the car will present "a strong three-dimensional theme," and be "the first of a new styling language at Audi." We can't wait to see it. Thanks for the tip, Other Man!

[Source: Car and Driver]

Third-gen Audi A8 to be "stronger, sharper, more precise" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: 2009 Audi RS6 sedan

Noah Joseph — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:35:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Paris Motor Show, Audi, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for hi-res gallery of the Audi RS6

As far as Teutonic super-sedans go...scrap that: as far as anything goes - and go it does - the Audi RS6 is one of the most desirable cars on the market. Previously only available as a wagon, Audi gave us a sneak peek of the new RS6 sedan in Moscow ahead of its official unveiling next week in Paris. For those of you who cannot wait that long, Ingolstadt has come to the rescue with new images of the twin-turbo V10 speed demon, which we've added to our gallery below. Click away.

Gallery: 2009 Audi RS6

[Source: Audi]

Pics Aplenty: 2009 Audi RS6 sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Moscow 2008: Audi RS6 sedan in the sheetmetal

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:49:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Audi, Misc. Auto Shows

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

All right. Now we're torn. RS6 Avant or RS6 sedan? Both are packing the same twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 5.0-liter V10 putting out 580 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. Both send power to all four wheels through a six-speed tiptronic tranny and both can be equipped with absolutely massive 420mm (front) and 356mm (rear) ceramic brakes. While it's hard to deny the practicality of the wagon, we think the sedan comes across as more elegant - in a brutally Teutonic way. The voting will commence in the comments and check the gallery below for a plenty of high-res images from the show floor.

Gallery: 2009 Audi RS6

Moscow 2008: Audi RS6 sedan in the sheetmetal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP War, Battle of the Tuners: B&B gets 715hp from Audi RS6

Noah Joseph — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedan, Wagon, Audi

Click above to view a hi-res gallery of the B&B Audi RS6

A 580hp station wagon (or sedan, for that matter) seems like sheer lunacy in its own right, but it appears that the twin-turbo V10 in the Audi RS6 is capable of a great deal more. Following the release of the 702hp MTM-tuned RS6 M, fellow German tuning house B&B Automobiltechnik has an even more potent tuning package, boosting power up to a whopping 715.

So what did the power-hungry gearheads at B&B do to get a 120 horsepower boost out of the Gallardo-derived FSI? They didn't replace the turbos or fit a new supercharger, nor did they bore out the cylinder block for bigger displacement. They simply fitted a new intake, catalyst, exhaust and cooling system, and tinkered with the ECU. B&B are also offering an adjustable suspension and new springs that drop the ride height by 25mm. The result? A claimed 0-60 run in a scant 3.6 seconds. That's well into supercar territory, as many a Porsche and Ferrari driver are bound to discover when baited into an impromptu red-light drag race. Nice work if you can get it.

Gallery: B&B Audi RS6

[Source: B&B via World Car Fans]

HP War, Battle of the Tuners: B&B gets 715hp from Audi RS6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi reveals 2009 RS6 sedan, new A6 sedan and Avant

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:23:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi RS6 sedan.

It looks like we won't have to wait for the Paris Motor Show to get our first glimpse of the 2009 Audi RS6 sedan and it's lesser A6 siblings. Audi has released all the details on its new four-door M5-eater, packing a direct-injected, twin-turbo'd V10 putting out 580 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. The same mill that powers the Avant version allows the sedan to sprint to 60 in 4.5-seconds on its way to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph. The duo of turbos huffs 1.6 bars of boost into the dry sump-equipped 5.0-liter V10, with peak torque arriving at 1,500 RPM and maximum horsepower available at 6,250 RPM.

A six-speed tiptronic transmission allows drivers to choose between automatic or manual mode, reducing shift times by one-tenth of second, and sending power to Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Dynamic Ride Control reduces pitch and roll, providing three damper settings - sport, dynamic and comfort - all of which can be activated through the revised MMI system.

The RS6 is fitted with 19-inch wheels at all four corners, wrapped in 255/40R19 rubber, and framing 390mm front discs clamped by fixed, six-piston calipers in front and 365 mm rotors, gripped by single-piston calipers in the rear. Buyers can upgrade the wheels to 20x9.5-inch rollers, which allow the fitment of Audi's ceramic brake system (420mm discs in front and 356 mm discs out back).

The standard A6 sedan and Avant benefits from the new MMI system, along with a new single-frame grille, bumpers, air vents and fog lamps. An S-line package includes 18-inch wheels and a sports suspension that drops the ride height by 30mm. Six gasoline engines and four oilburners will be available, including the 170 hp, 2.0-liter gasoline TFSI four-pot, a 290 hp, 2.8-liter FSI V6, a 350 hp, 4.2-liter FSI V8 and the new, supercharged 3.0-liter V6. Audi's diesel offerings range from 2.0- to a 3.0-liter TDIs.

Sales of both models will begin in mid-October and all the details are available in the two press releases after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Audi RS6

Gallery: 2009 Audi A6

Continue reading Audi reveals 2009 RS6 sedan, new A6 sedan and Avant

Audi reveals 2009 RS6 sedan, new A6 sedan and Avant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008 Preview: Audi to unveil RS6 sedan

Noah Joseph — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Paris Motor Show, Audi

You have to sit back and applaud a car like the Audi RS6 Avant. As we've noted with amazement countless times, it's a station wagon capable of outgunning supercars. In Europe that sort of thing flies, and while it still won't be making the transatlantic voyage (even though we're sure that, with a set of wings attached, it could get here on its own), even back in the old world not everyone is keen on the estate body-style. Which is why Audi is preparing a conventional four-door sedan version of the RS6, which our photographers spied all but completely undisguised out on the street a little over a month ago. Reports now indicate that the twin-turbo V10 super-sedan will be unveiled at the upcoming Paris Motor Show this coming October. We can expect the sedan version to carry the same mechanicals as its wagon counterpart, however certain visual updates are expected to be shown on the top-of-the-line RS6 sedan before they trickle down to the entire A6 range.

Gallery: Audi RS6 - spy shots

[Source: Auto Unleashed]

Paris 2008 Preview: Audi to unveil RS6 sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MTM tunes the Audi RS6 Avant to 702hp

Noah Joseph — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Wagon, Europe, Audi

Click to view the MTM RS6 M in our hi-res gallery

With a 580-hp twin-turbo V10 derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo's mill, the Audi RS6 is hardly a candidate for improvements. It's a station wagon that outguns supercars, for crying out loud. But we had to figure that it would only be a matter of time until someone tried, and German tuning house MTM has stepped up to bat.

To give you an idea of what MTM's engineers are capable, with just a tweak of the ECU they've managed to boost output to 656 hp, dropping the 0-60 time down from an already outstanding 4.6 seconds to a scant 3.9. Throw in a stainless steel exhaust and a new air filter and presto! You've got 702 horses underhood. MTM is also offering some reserved carbon fiber aero bits, a new set of brakes, revised dampers and 21-inch wheels. We don't know what kind of world this is where you can get your hands on a 700 horsepower wagon, but we like it. Check out the high-resolution images in the gallery below.

Gallery: MTM Audi RS6 M

[Source: MTM via World Car Fans]

MTM tunes the Audi RS6 Avant to 702hp originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Audi A6 to feature new lightweight construction inspired by TT

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Audi

A new Audi A6 is expected to hit showrooms in 2010, and aside from an A4/A5-inspired facelift, the automaker's new 5-series competitor will be underpinned by an evolution of the chassis technology originally developed for the Audi TT. According to Car, the next iteration of Audi's Aluminum and Steel Spaceframe (ASF II) technology will be utilized on all future models, and uses half the steel of the outgoing platforms while providing 50-percent more torsional rigidity. The passenger cell will be made up entirely of aluminum, with steel and foam reinforcements if needed, and the front and rear subframes will be beefed up units integrated into the structures of the nose and tail. The ASF II system will finds its way into other vehicles, including Audi's CUVs, where it has the potential to shave off over 650 pounds from the Q7's curb weight.

Naturally, Audi will continue to offer front- and all-wheel-drive on the next A6, but the combination of more potent mills mounted further back into the engine bay will lessen its rival's lead in the handling department. Car's sources suggest that a variety of V6 engines, ranging from 2.8- to 3.2-liters will be offered, along with a pair of diesels, the 4.2-liter FSI V8 found in the RS4/R8, the 5.2-liter V10 (S6) and a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V10 for the RS6.

[Source: Car]

Next Audi A6 to feature new lightweight construction inspired by TT originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 May 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Audi considering more powerful RS6 Avant

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:27:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Audi

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.

Gallery: 2008 Audi RS6 Avant

[Source: AutoTelegraaf via WCF]

Rumormill: Audi considering more powerful RS6 Avant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 May 2008 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sibling Rivalry: Porsche and Audi fight over 'RS' name

Michael Harley — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen

Click the image above for a high-res gallery.

We've all watched the ALMS Porsche RS Spyder in racing, read the reviews about Porsche's track-ready 997 GT3 RS, and checked out the new Boxster RS 60 Spyder. Maybe some of us (Porschephiles?) have even dreamed about someday owning a classic 1973 911 Carrera RS (pictured above). Porsche's "RS" designation stands for "Renn Sport," or racing, and it is reserved for the highest performing models in the company's lineup.

Wait a second. Doesn't Audi also offer a slew of "RS" models too? They have their hot RS4, RS6, and the lightweight RS8. Now they have plans to bring out a high-performance version of the TT to be called the TT RS...

Not so fast, the team at Porsche is saying. Naming it the "TT RS" is stepping over that thin line drawn in the sand. Furthermore, the "RS" suffix is Porsche's, and it won't be slapped on an Audi anytime soon (especially as Porsche continues to increase its ownership in the Volkswagen Group). Audi may continue to use "RS" as a prefix, but that's about it. Well, that was easy, don't you think?

Gallery: 2007 Porsche RS Spyder

[Source: Winding Road]

Sibling Rivalry: Porsche and Audi fight over 'RS' name originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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