Audi C7 S6 Avant Spied 
With Audi’s recent unveiling of their 2012 A6 Avant, we knew the S6 wasn’t far behind. Spy photographers have captured Audi’s next uber-wagon testing in Germany and it looks the part. The S6 is expected to come with Ingolstadt’s brand new twin-turbo 4.0L V8 producing between 435 and 450 horses. As always, power is sent to all four wheels via a Quattro all-wheel drive system. We anticipate the S6 to come with Audi’s 8-speed automatic offered in their A6 3.0T Avant, but may also offer a 7-speed if the 8-speed isn’t up to the task of controlling the enormous torque load. Like the past two generations of S6 Avants, buyers should not expect a manual transmission. The S6 will target the BMW 550iT, Mercedes E550 Wagon, and Jaguar XF supercharged Sport Break. Like BMW, Audi is not expected to bring the S6 Avant (or the A6 Avant for that matter) to the United States, citing “low demand.” All we can do here is look forward to the next impressive battlewagon we can’t drive- the mighty RS6 Avant.
With the demise of Audi’s V10, expect the RS6 to pack a 600 horsepower version of the S6’s turbo V8. Engine differences will include bigger turbochargers and intercoolers, higher boost, forged internals, and perhaps even slightly larger displacement. Power will be sent to all four wheels via an automatic transmission. The RS6 Avant will be unveiled in 2012 as a 2013 model.