Autoblog

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]

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]

Audi's graced our inbox this morning with a press release announcing two new models that are bound for Frankfurt, but didn't disclose any details about what particular vehicles would be gracing the automaker's podium. We already know that the new A4 will be one of them, but what of the other? We doubt that the refreshed S8 deserves inclusion into that duo, and the rumblings around the interwebs point to the new RS6, producing upwards of 600 ponies via a rumored twin-turbo V10. We'll be on hand for the festivities, so as always, watch this space.

[Source: Audi]

The closer we get to the Frankfurt Motor Show, the more excited we are for the arrival of the sinister Audi RS6. Those wonderfully crazy Germans are set to add forced induction to the already balls-out 5.2L V10 that powers the more "pedestrian" S6, and somewhere around 550hp will be the end result. Other changes include oval tail pipes like those seen on the production RS4, a rear diffuser, and a larger front air intake. The changes are still pretty subtle, though, as Audi seems to cherish the role of sleeper.

Brenda Priddy and co. have once again snagged some great shots of the RS6, but this time we get motion picture strait from the 'Ring. Wait till you see this midsize monster absolutely cranking around the Green Hell's many bends -- the sights and sounds are astonishingly good. Hit play above to catch the action.

[Source: StreetFire]

Audi's hard at work expanding the number of models in its portfolio, and one of the most anticipated models of all is the 2008 RS6. With an absurdly wicked 5.2L V10 powerplant that's rumored to receive the turbo treatment to kick out well over 500hp, the RS6 looks like it's preparing to meet the M5 and AMG E-Class head-on.

The folks over at KGP Photography got some good pictures of the RS6 running the 'Ring, and there are subtle differences between it and the S6. The oval-tipped tailpipes and RS4-style rims fare immediate tiopoffs that something's afoot. The front air intake also appears to be tweaked, with its LED lighting apparently removed. The fenders have also been pushed out to accomodate larger wheels.

Does Audi want to rule the luxury world? Looks like it to us, and an RS6 that will be able to take on even the most formidable opponent is part of the plan. The car will duke it out with some pretty stiff marketplace competition, but in the end, we think the ultimate winners are customers who can afford $80,000 to $100,000 vehicles.

[Source: Inside Line]

In a world full of AMG and M models, Audi can't be satisfied with fielding only the 436-hp, V10-powered S6. That's why it's working on returning the RS6 to the lineup. The new RS6 was caught by Brenda Priddy's spies doing laps on the Nurburgring in Germany. Wearing a migrane-inducing camo pattern, the RS6 is distinguished by fenders that push out wider to handle larger wheels and a rear diffuser that houses a pair of oval tailpipes. As the linked article indicates, while the S model sports four round tips, RS models stand out with these oval pipes. There was no mention of what may power the RS6, though it needs to be pretty hot motor to best the detuned V10 from the Lamborghini Gallardo that powers the S6. We've heard rumors of a twin-turbo version of the V10 producing between 500 and 550 horsepower, though other mills are being considered, too.

Thanks for the tip, Zerin!

[Source: Speedsportlife.com]

We thought throwing a detuned version of the Lamborghini Gallardo's V10 in the Audi S8 and S6 was a brash move on behalf of Ingolstadt, but news from World Car Fans is that the next RS6 will receive a turbocharged version of the 5.0-liter V10 producing between 520 and 550 bhp. We previously thought the RS6 may get the Q7's top petrol engine, a 4.2-liter FSI V8 tuned to 500+ horsepower, but it would be strange to give the top A6 model two less cylinders than the S6. Still, this V10 makes 520 horsepower without the help of a turbo in the Gallardo, so it still seems strange to detune the engine and slap a turbo on it to increase the power back up to a level that can compete with the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. Either way, Lamborghini can't be pleased that a high-performance saloon and wagon from Audi will soon be pumping out more power than its entry-level exotic supercar.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Audi has announced that the 2007 S6 sedan will start at $72,000 in the U.S., while the 2007 S8 (Euro-spec model shown) will begin at $92,000. Don't forget the $700 destination charge that's not included in the price, as well as the $1,300 gas-guzzler tax for the S6 and $1,700 for the S8. Still, for now these two vehicles stand as the least expensive way to mash the throttle of the Lamborghini Gallardo's V10, which has been detuned to 435 hp in the S6 and 450 hp in the S8. With that kind of motivation, the S6 can charge to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and the larger S8 can reach the same mark in a more impressive 4.9 seconds. Neither are quite as fast as the Gallardo, which can reach 60 mph in a hair under four seconds, but can the raging baby bull carry four people in comfort? We think not.

[Source: Audi]

Wheels24 has produced a sketch of what it believes the next Audi A4 will look like based on insider info and analysis of recent Audi design trends. The A4's face appears much more aggressive the the current model's, with headlights angled down towards the large grille and similar LED light bars to those currently found on the S6. As we mentioned in the first part of our In the Autoblog Garage review of the Audi A3 and VW GTI (the final two are on their way!), the A3's front fascia benefits greatly from the "angry eyes" look, and it also looks good on the A4 in this conceptual sketch.

The website is also postulating the A4 will move further upmarket to give the A3 some more breathing room in its own segment. This means that build quality will be improving, as well as road manners, in an effort to meet the standards set by the BMW 3-Series. On account of this, the the next A4 probably won't be offered with the 1.8T engine as its base motor, but rather the new 200-hp, 2.0L FSI units.

[Source: Wheels24 via Winding Road]