1 dott 8

does anyone know when AoA plans to release the S6?

April

Late Fall.

Audi S5 TC

Sources say either Fall of 2007, Spring of 2008, Fall of 2008 or Spring of 2009, depending on the source. And what engine will the new RS 6 have? Some sources say a normally aspirated 5.5L FSI V10 with an 8,250 or 8,500 RPM redline producing 550 hp and 420 or 435 lbs/ft of torque (which is what I would bet on). Some sources say either a twin charged (twin turbos and a supercharger in the same engine) or twin turbo 5.2L FSI V10 producing 535 hp and 479 lbs/ft of torque (which is what I would bet against).

drive4fun

Audi seems to offer the RS6 whenever they need a pick me up on the sales side, which to me indicates that the introduction will be later rather than sooner. Besides, the R8 is supposedly coming out next year, so the RS6 will no longer be the alpha dog WRT Audi performance vehicles. From what I've heard, neither will have DSG, which IMO is disappointing.

I agree with you and think Audi will avoid turbo charging. Who knows, they may even put a diesel in the car. With a diesel, the RS6 may not even come to the U.S. due to extremely high particulate air standards in California and the Northeast (low sulfur diesel fuel won't meet these standards either).

April

I cannot comment other than the program does exist

Audi S5 TC

Many-maybe even a majority or vast majority of-C5 RS 6 customers worldwide aggresively and frequently clamoured Audi to put a six-speed stick in the RS 6.

Any automatic (including the Bentley Continental GT's six speed tiptronic also used in the D3 S8 and C6 S6) simply won't do in the C6 RS 6 and it especially won't do in the R8.

Unfortunately, April is right about all versions of the A8/A8L (including the S8) and all versions of the A6 (including the S6 and RS 6) NOT getting the seven-speed S Tronic (formerly known as direct shift gearbox or DSG for short) until they are on the D4 and C7 platforms, which will be 2009 for 2010 for the A8/A8L (D4) and either 2009 for 2010 or 2010 for 2011 for the A6 (C7) if I am not mistaken.

It is just like actor/comedian John Witherspoon said to rapper Ice Cube in the movie Friday way back in 1995, "you win some, you lose some".

drive4fun

I guess it depends on what the customer wants. S-tronic seems like a good compromise btw the hairy chested manual-only camp and formula one afficionados but I guess Audi is moving a little slowly on rolling this out with longitudinal engines.

Driving fast and having fun while driving fast are starting to become two separate things. For instance, I've heard that the tiptronic 911 turbo (not dual clutch) is supposedly now faster than a manual shift. Look at any of the Fifth Gear/Top Gear videos with Tiff Needell. Despite being a former racing driver, it seems like his reviews are mostly based on how much oversteer he can generate in the cars.

SMA8L

It is actually at the port in Houston as we speak. But AoA has embargoed the delivery of the car to the dealer until then. I've checked with AoA and other dealers and all first phase in-port cars are being held.

::SMA8L

LMGotts

Looks great.
Sounds great.