The Audi RS 6, which debuted in 2002, was powered by a dual-turbo version of Audi's familiar 4.2-liter V8 that was good for 450 hp. Offered as a sedan and a wagon, the high point for the model came in the form of the special limited edition RS 6 Plus, powered by a 480-bhp version of the same drivetrain.

Things have been taken up several notches and an extra two cylinders for the next generation, and Audi has just dropped a handful more photos of its new RS 6 Avant, the V10-powered, twin-turbo, AWD wagon that we're unlucky enough to be denied. Unlike the 5.2-liter "normal" S6, the RS6 uses a five-liter V10 with dry-sump lubrication, peak power of 580 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque - upping the ante over the BMW M5's naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 by 80 hp and 96 lb-ft. It also outpowers Mercedes-Benz's E63 AMG by 73 hp and 10 lb-ft. Carbon-ceramic brakes, which seem to be the latest bit of pseudo-track-day-family-car couture, are also available. A short release blurb is available after the jump.

Outstanding performance and the ultimate in dynamics - the new Audi RS 6 Avant is the high-performance product in business-class motoring. It brings Audi's winning motor sport technologies to the road. A newly developed V10 biturbo gasoline engine with FSI direct injection plus quattro permanent all-wheel drive puts the new RS 6 Avant out in front of the competition. Its 426 kW (580 bhp) and torque of 650 Nm create an unparalleled experience of power and dynamism. And yet the Audi RS 6 Avant also offers uncompromising comfort and benefits for everyday driving.



The biturbo V10 accelerates the Audi RS 6 Avant at super sports car speed, catapulting it from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and then on to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h, which can optionally be increased to 280 km/h. The six-speed tiptronic numbers among a new generation of highly responsive automatic transmissions. Designed for active driving, it transfers the huge engine torques to a quattro driveline, which affords extremely dynamic roadability with its slight rear-axle bias.
A dynamic partner - the sport suspension
The sport suspension is ideally matched to the power of the V10 FSI. A fluid- mechanical system called DRC Dynamic Ride Control adjusts the shock absorbers at lightning speed, while the optional sport suspension plus enables the damping characteristic to be set to three different levels. The car comes standard with 19" aluminum wheels, and 20" wheels are available as an option. Installed behind them are the kind of brawny brakes that are used in motor sport; ceramic brake discs are also optionally available for the front and rear axles.



Like all Audi RS models developed and manufactured by quattro GmbH, the new RS 6 Avant stands for the ultimate in sportiness, for power and elegant styling, for exclusivity and for impeccable quality. It has become traditional for Audi to unite the dynamics of the RS concept with the high utility value of an Avant: The very first Audi RS 2, dating back to the year 1993, was built exclusively as an Avant model, and customers still especially appreciate this elegantly functional body style.
The new Audi RS 6, too, will initially be available only as an Avant, offering the unrivaled combination of 426 kW (580 bhp) and up to 1,660 liters of luggage space. The launch of the Audi RS 6 Avant is set for April 2008; its base price in Germany will be €106,900, including value-added tax.

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Looks fantastic in that blue. I am surprised there are still no magazine tests.

Looks nice - although the dead pedal could be bigger ;-)

Tired of this, sedan please!

M

+1.

It's nice, it's brutal, it's ...Everything, but show me the damn sedan please!!!!

How long are we supposed to wait? 2009?

Guess we have to wait til Audi release the facelift version of the sedan 1st, it doesn't matter for me, I am a wagon fan, and I want this one really badly.

A guy on another forum has done these saloon chops based on the new pictures. I'm sure he won't mind me linking to them. We know the tail lights will almost certainly look different, but great work nonetheless.

No one cares for touring cars. Audi messed up by launching the avant first.

I think I read somewhere that at least at some point Audi sold more A4 Avants than A4 Sedans in the German market. The RS6+ was only available as Avant suggesting that the Avant models might have had a substantial share of the RS6 sales. I also believe Audi has higher percentage of customers choosing the wagon model compared to BMW and Mercedes.