A few days ago, the Audi RS6 Avant prototype was out testing in the snow, giving our spy photographers an opportunity to capture it in action. After that, it was high time to do a little magic and come up with a new rendering of the production version, so here it is.
While building the new RS6 Avant, Audi focused on reducing the weight by as much as possible, so the production version will have plenty of elements built from lightweight Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). That reduction of weight will benefit the 4.0 TFSI bi-turbo V8 engine that will be under the hood of the RS6 Avant. This engine was borrowed from the S6 and S8 models, as well as the new Bentley Continental GT V8. It delivers 500 HP, or possibly up to 550 HP, getting rather close to the 580 HP of the current RS6 Avant and its V10 engine.
Let us know what you think about our rendering in the comments section below!
Shortly after uncovering the first details on the upcoming Audi RS6 sedan, our spy photographers were able to catch the Avant version testing during winter conditions somewhere in the coldest areas of Sweden. A more aggressive front fascia, wider track, and add-on fender flares make this a pre-production prototype of the RS6 Avant.
Like its sedan brother, the RS6 Avant will feature some modifications on the lower intakes, but the add-on flares will have integrated fender flares and possibly box flares like those seen on the Ur-quattro. Audi, along with everyone else, is also working on reducing the car’s weight by as much as possible, meaning that many of the car’s elements - like the front fenders we’ve already seen on the RS3 - will be built in lightweight Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). The wheels have also received big ceramic brakes.
Where power is concerned, the future RS6 Avant will feature the same 4.0 TFSI bi-turbo V8 recently seen in the S6 and S8 models, as well as in the new Bentley Continental GT V8. It delivers 500 HP, or possibly up to 550 HP, getting rather close to the 580 HP of the current RS6 Avant featuring its V10 engine.
The new Audi RS6 Avant will go on sale sometime in 2013.
UPDATE 01/26/2012: Today we have added a new rendering of the upcoming Audi RS6 Avant. We hope you like it!
Bentley has currently postponed plans for launching any new model or updates for their current models. Instead, the company is moving forward in the development of a new turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that will be used for the future models starting next year. Coincidentally, the same engine will be used for the new Audi S6 and RS6.
The new V8 engine will be offered in two different versions: a single-turbo unit with around 415 HP - used for the entry level models - and a twin-turbo version with close to 555 HP for the speedier versions (like the RS6). The new engine will be combined with a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
Bentley will unveil the new GTC at the Frankfurt Motor Show where Audi will also bring the S6, but the new V8 engine won’t be revealed until next year, most likely at the Geneva Motor Show.
Audi is preparing a strong offensive line in hopes of achieving greatness in the sports car market. In the upcoming months, the company plans to reveal four new sports sedans to complete their all-star team.
The first teammate will be the S8, which will be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall. The S8 will feature a new 4.0 liter, twin-turbo V8 engine developed in cooperation with Bentley. This new engine will deliver a total of 493 HP - an increase of about 50 HP over the current S8 model - but will also have a fuel improvement of about 20%. The engine will be mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and Quattro all-wheel drive system.
About two months after the S8 has its time in the spotlight, Audi will present the S6 and the S7 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The two models will also get the new 4.0 liter V8 engine with an output of 434 HP in the S6 and 464 HP in the S7.
The true all-star on this team, however, will be the RS6. It will also get the 4.0 liter, twin-turbo V8 engine, but with tweaks to increase the power to an impressive 572 HP. The bad news, though, is that Audi will be saving the best for last and we won’t get to see the Audi RS6 until late 2012. The BMW M5 will be able to enjoy its lead in the rankings until then.
In all honesty, people go out of their way on a daily basis to avoid driving through some of the insane driving conditions professional drivers seem to float on. So, really, who in the world cares how fast any vehicle can drive while scooting around on some ice? The answer, dear friends, is anyone who can appreciate the art of driving and the thrill of speeding down a sheet of ice at record-breaking speeds. In other words, Audi. Or so we thought...
Earlier this month, Bentley smashed the world speed record on ice by getting the luxury car up to a scintillating 205.48 mph. Now, an Audi RS6 has taken the record away from Bentley with its speed of 206.05 mph. The new record was set at Gulf of Bothnia in Oulu, Finland and, more importantly, was set not by an automaker wanting to take the reigns from Bentley, but by a tire manufacturer that wanted to prove that their Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studded tires were better than the Pirelli SottoZero II tires used on the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible.
“We wanted to take the record back to us because Bentley used competitor’s tires, and we, of course, could not let that be,” the statement Nokian sent AutoEvolution reads. “As for the car, we just used one of our own high speed test cars (which happened to be an Audi RS6). So, Audi has not taken part in this attempt in any way. Also, there are no separate records for tires, cars or drivers etc, just one "fastest car on ice."
Well played, Nokian. Congratulations on having the best and fastest tires on the block.
