Audi S6 Avant spy shots

Text: Ben Foulds / Photos: Automedia

14th July 2011

Here's an Audi that should deliver loads of performance. It's the new S6 Avant, which our eagle-eyed photographers have caught lapping the Nurburgring before it goes on sale next year.

By adding a load bay to the standard S6 formula, the Avant aims to cater for those who want storming pace mixed with family-plus-luggage practicality and continent-crossing ability. Like its saloon sibling, which we snapped earlier this week. The booted S6 is identified by its discreetly larger bumpers and side-skirts, wheelarch-filling alloys and quad exhausts.

The big story is in the engine bay though, where a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 – which will also make its way into the new Bentley Continental GT – replaces the old car's naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10. With the aid of a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission, the S6 will send 450bhp to all four wheels – 20bhp more than the V10 developed. The monster RS6 will feature an additional turbocharger and add another 100bhp to this figure when it appears further down the line.

Expect to see the S6 Avant alongside the saloon at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show. The first cars will reach UK dealerships in 2012.