2014 Audi A6 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Audi to launch 600-hp RS6 Avant Plus?

Much to the dismay of many - but apparently not enough - there's a whole category of power wagons available overseas that we just can't get our hands on. While the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate and Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon are both available Stateside, the recently revised Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake, the Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake we recently drove at the Nürburgring and the Audi RS6 Avant remain out of reach for American buyers. They all stand on more-or-less equal footing, with forced-induction V8s producing around 550 horsepower. But Audi is apparently taking things over and above with a new RS6 Plus.
Revealed ahead of schedule on a British dealer's website (which leaked details accompanied by a stock photo of the existing model), the RS6 Avant Plus will apparently keep the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, but upgrade from 560 hp to a nice, round 600 to put it ahead of the competition and in league with supercars. Considering that the existing RS6 Avant is already capable of cracking the four-second barrier to 60 and tops out at over 190 miles per hour, we're sure the Plus version will positively annihilate the Autobahn, all while bringing your whole family along for the ride.
Unfortunately it doesn't look any more likely that Quattro GmbH's latest Plus model will make the transatlantic journey to American showrooms, but we can hope that maybe Audi will perform similar modifications on the RS7 Sportback we do get here.

2017 Audi A4 Allroad ups the Avant

Can't decide between a wagon and a crossover? Audi offers both, of course, but it will also split the difference with the new A4 Allroad Quattro. It's based on the latest A4, but offers the extra cargo space, rugged look, and increased ride height of a crossover, without the added bulk that usually goes with it. Unveiled today at the Detroit Auto Show, the new A4 Allroad starts life as an A4 Avant wagon, but features a number of upgrades that ought to appeal to the elegantly outdoorsy among us. All-wheel drive comes standard, of course, and ride height is increased by a little less than an inch. Combined with the larger wheels, that nets 1.3 inches more ground clearance for getting through snow banks and whatnot. The suspension uses a five-link setup at both ends. The rugged look is further accentuated by the flared fenders, new rear bumper, underbody guard plates, and roof rails. Otherwise it's essentially the same as the new A4 we've already seen. Motivation is provided by a range of TFSI and TDI engines ranging from 150 horsepower to 272, mated to either a six-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch, or eight-speed automatic transmission. That, of course, is on a global scale, with details on US pricing and availability to follow. In the meantime, you can scope out the live images from the floor of the Cobo Center in the gallery above, and the full details in the press release below. Perfect companion in any situation: the new Audi A4 allroad quattro - 34 millimeters (1.3 in) more ground clearance and "offroad" mode - Extroverted, individual design and extensive equipment - Powerful TFSI and TDI engines, quattro drive standard The new Audi A4 allroad quattro* embodies a unique concept: It combines high driving comfort with off-road qualities, thus enjoying a unique position in its segment. Thanks to the standard quattro drive and increase ground clearance, it also keeps on driving where the paved road ends. The new Audi A4 allroad quattro is defined by its individual look. The powerfully flared wheel arches and the rear bumper attract attention. They are finished in matt structure gray or painted in the body color. The robust underbody guard and the rear diffuser are finished in selenite silver. The sporty, distinctive front end with jagged headlights, unique bumper and model-specific air intakes underscores its extroverted character. Vertical chrome slats adorn the sculpted Singleframe grille.

Spyker C8 Aileron to come back with supercharged power?

The new B6 Venator wasn't the only vehicle on display at the Spyker booth at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The company still has its C8 Aileron on offer, and Road & Track has word of a potential powerplant upgrade for the long-running machine.
Since its introduction in the year 2000, the C8 has used a 4.2-liter V8 engine sourced from Audi, which, in base form, offers up 400 horsepower. Though it's a great powerpant, that's simply not enough power in this day and age - after all, if a car is going to be called super, it needs to offer more ponies than something as mundane as the Ford Mustang GT.
According to R&T, John Walton, Chief Commercial Officer at Spyker, indicated that a new engine supplier may be in the works. "[The Audi-sourced V8] really hasn't got enough bang for the buck. To be honest, every supercar needs to have something that begins with a '5' today. That's why we're supercharging the car in the future, which will take it to over 500-hp," said Walton.