Audi RS6 revealed

Audi has unveiled its new V8-powered 552bhp RS6 Avant – the first of four new RS models due on sale this year. The others are the RS5 Cabriolet (which efficiently replaces the RS6 saloon), the RS7 and the first ‘Q’ model to wear the RS badge – the Q3 RS.
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The RS6 ditches the old Lamborghini-derived V10 for a version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 from the S6, which is capable of shutting down four of its eight cylinders on light throttle loads. and while outright power can’t match its predecessor’s 572bhp output, the RS6’s performance has taken a significant step up.
The new car weighs 100kg less than the previous RS6, plus with a new eight-speed car and 700Nm of torque, 0-62mph takes 3.9 seconds – a full seven-tenths faster than the old car. There’s now also the option of raising the speed limiter from 155mph to 189mph if you spec the dynamic plus package. Stop-start is now standard and helps fuel economy and CO2 emissions improve by 40 per cent, to 28.8mpg and 229g/km respectively.
The styling is typically restrained – even the blistered wheel arches from the previous model have been swapped for smooth, gently enhanced bulges – while the track width has grown by 42mm either side at the rear. A distinct front-end treatment splits the single-frame grille into an upper and lower part – as an option, the lower part is emblazoned with 3D ‘quattro’ lettering.