2014 Audi RS6 Avant officially unveiled

Audi RS6 Avant 04.12.2012

A super car that thinks it's a wagon

Hot on the heels of this afternoon's leak, Audi has officially unveiled the 2014 RS6 Avant.

Described as a "high-performance sports car for everyday use," the model strikes the perfect balance between looking aggressive and elegant. The front fascia is undeniably sporty as it features large air intakes, matte aluminum trim and a honeycomb mesh grille with quattro badging. Further back there's a tailgate-mounted spoiler, a gloss black rear diffuser, a dual exhaust system and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The sublime styling carries over to the cabin as it is awash with premium materials and high-end accents. Notable highlights include leather / Alcantara sport seats, carbon fiber trim and metallic accents. There's also a flat-bottomed steering wheel, illuminated sill plates and an MMI navigation plus infotainment system. If that's not impressive enough, the model can be equipped with a head-up display, a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and internet connectivity.

As expected, the model is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 560 HP (412 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission and a quattro all-wheel drive system with a torque vectoring differential. This enables the wagon to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), 280 km/h (174 mph) with the optional Dynamic package and 305 km/h (190 mph) with the optional Dynamic plus package.

To maximize fuel efficiency, the engine features start/stop technology and a cylinder-on-demand system which deactivates four-cylinders when they aren't needed. This enables the model to average 9.8 L/100km (24 mpg US) which is roughly 40 percent better than its predecessor.

To keep things under control, the RS6 has high-performance brakes and a specially-developed adaptive air suspension with a 20mm reduced ride height. The company also offers carbon ceramic brakes and an optional sport suspension that uses steel springs and three-way adjustable shock absorbers for reduced body roll and increased stability.

The RS6 Avant will be launched in the U.K. next summer and pricing is expected to start at approximately £77,000.