2014 Audi RS6 Avant 552HP Bi-Turbo V8

The new RS6 Avant waves goodbye to the previous model's 571hp (579PS) and 650Nm (479 lbf·ft) 5.0-liter bi-turbo V10 and gains Audi's brand new twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 TFSI engine, which is said to deliver 552hp (560PS) and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) in this application.

An eight-speed automatic drives all four wheels through Audi's quattro system with a sport differential. The Überstation wagon is claimed to go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.9 seconds and top out at 304km/h (189mph), all while being able to fit up to 1,680 liters of goods.

By comparison, the older V10-powered RS6 Avant, completed the sprint in 4.6 seconds and had a de-restricted top speed of 274 km/h (170mph).

The design of the flagship model of the A6 series is exactly what you would expect from any member of the Audi RS family with blistered wheel arches, honeycomb inserts on the upper and lower front grilles that work together with a redesigned bumper, side skirts and a wide rear diffuser with large pipes on either side.

The RS6 Avant also gets a silver finish on the mirrors and the roof rails, a roof spoiler, larger alloy wheels shod in performance tires, and just to make sure you won't confuse it with another A6 model upon seeing it on your rear view mirror, a sizeable "quattro" logo enclosed in a silver frame on the front grille.

Inside, Audi has adorned the RS6 with all the usual bits and pieces such as a flat-bottom steering wheel, red needles on the revamped instrument panel gauges, tons of carbon fiber trims, and sports seats in a mix of leather and Alcantara.

We still don't know if Audi will introduce the new RS6 Avant in Detroit next month, or more likely, at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March.

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Audi A6 Black Edition

The A6 Avant Black Edition is also equipped with black roof rails, while all three models ride on a lowered S Line sports suspension.

The interior decorations include Piano Black inlays, sport seats upholstered in black Valcona leather and black headlining, plus an upgraded BOSE surround sound system.

All three Black Edition models are built on the S Line specification, which itself adds exterior and interior styling enhancements, satellite navigation, light and rain sensors, Xenon all-weather headlights and LED rear lights, the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system, parking system plus and keyless go. The A7 adds a few more extras such as a powered tailgate, electrically adjustable front seats and a powered retractable rear spoiler.

The powerplant choices for the Black Edition package include all engines in the A6 Sedan and Avant range from the 175hp (177PS) 2.0-litre TDI upwards bar the S6, and for the A7, all powertrains sans the front-wheel-drive 3.0-litre TDI 201hp (204PS) and the S7 Sportback.

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2013 Audi A6 Allroad

The new A6 Allroad is 4.94 meters (16.21 ft) long, 1.90 meters (6.23 ft) wide and 1.47 meters (4.82 ft) tall, making it a few millimeters bigger than the station wagon variant. Furthermore, the body of the new Allroad sits 60mm (2.36 in) higher than that of the regular A6 Avant.

Along with the massive front grille with the chromed vertical slats, the Allroad version of the A6 gets new bumpers, more widely flared fenders, stainless steel covers to protect the front and rear of the car, as well as the exhaust system in the rare case someone actually goes off road, and chunkier roof bars.

It also rides on bespoke 18-inch, five-arm alloy wheels shod in 235/55-size tires, though Audi does offer 19 and 20 inch rims as an option.

What really sets apart the A6 Allroad from its smaller A4 sibling is the standard, adaptive air suspension that lowers the body by 15 millimeters (0.59 in) at high speed and raises it by 35 millimeters (1.38 in) at the push of a button. Moreover, a special lift mode at low speeds adds another ten millimeters (0.39 in).

As with the other variants of the latest A6 series, total vehicle weight on the Allroad has been reduced by as much as 70 kg (154 lb) compared with the previous model.

In Europe, there are four available powerplants including one TFSI gasoline engine and three TDI diesel units.

The 3.0-liter V6 TFSI is rated at 310HP and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) and accelerates the Allroad to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.9 seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155mph). It consumes 8.9 liters of fuel per 100km (26.4 mpg US).

All three diesel engines are based on Audi's 3.0-liter V6 TDI producing 204HP, 245HP and in the case of the twin-turbocharged version, 313HP. The most powerful diesel, which is linked to an 8-speed auto, allows for 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.6 seconds and an electronically regulated 250 km/h (155mph) tops speed.

The TSI and the two less potent diesel engines are paired to Audi's 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

We still don't know if Audi will bring the A6 Allroad to North America, but in Europe, it goes on sale this spring the base 204HP TDI model starting from €54,600 (about US$70,000).

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