Audi RS6 ups ante

It has just lifted the wraps off its new RS6 sedan, upping the ante from the old car's V8 to a V10 borrowed from the Italian supercar maker Lamborghini, which Audi has owned for 10 years.

Shoehorning a V10 into the A6 engine bay proves that peace is yet to be declared in the German power wars.

The electrifying RS6 sedan and wagon takes the 5.0-litre Lamborghini V10 and plumbs in two turbochargers to lift power to 426kW and torque to 650Nm.

Fuel price spikes and the sedan's projected $250,000 pricetag haven't turned the queues away either. Audi Australia expects to sell about 50 sedans and wagons combined a year. Spokesperson, Nadine Giusti, says 25 people have already expressed interest.

The sedan arrives here early next year but the wagon arrives before Christmas.

The 5.0-litre twin-turbo V10 engine features direct injection and dry-sump lubrication. It is mated to Audi's quattro all-wheel drive via a six-speed tiptronic automatic tuned for quicker shift response. The car's peak torque of 650Nm is available from 1500 to 6250 revs. Peak power of 426kW is generated between 6250 revs and 6700 revs.

The sedan accelerates to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

To cope with the car's extra oomph the suspension has been upgraded. The front axle gets light-weight aluminium control arms on each wheel and Audi's dynamic ride control is standard for Australia.

The speed-dependent servotronic power steering has been retuned and the ratio is more direct.

When combined with the sports suspension plus the dynamic ride control has three settings, sport, dynamic and comfort.

For Australia, the RS 6 will have 20-inch alloys shod with 275/35 tyres.

Up front, six-piston fixed aluminium calipers painted black and decorated with RS badges clamp down on 390mm front discs and 356mm rear discs.

The rear axle features single-piston floating brake calipers. The floating steel discs feature large cooling ducts and axial perforations for enhanced performance and less weight.

Visually the RS6 gets styling cues to distinquish it from lesser Audis.

These include the single-frame grille, the large air intakes, xenon-plus headlights, adaptive light and RS 6-specific LED daytime running lights, flared mudguards and deep side skirts, a rear diffuser.

The rear spoiler is integrated into the bootlid and two large oval exhausts complete the picture.

Inside, the cabin gets carbon fibre inlays and Silk Nappa RS-embossed leather sports seats.

A refreshed A6 sedan and wagon will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October and the cars will hit local showrooms early next year.

The midlife update involves modest cosmetic changes to the front and rear, new alloys and some interior trim changes.

At the front the current car's broad bar across the grille that backs the numberplate has been removed, replaced by a one-piece plunging grille.

The air intake and foglights surrounds have also been given more pronounced ribs for an aggressive look. The headlights and tail-lights are largely untouched, although the rear lights lose the white reverse bar of the current car.

The shape of the lower lip on the boot has also been squared off. The car's handsome profile remains the same.

The next-generation A6 is not due until 2011.