The Audi A6 has been updated for 2008, with engine updates and restyling. The Audi A6 range now has a new saloon version of the Audi RS6.

Improved both aesthetically and technically, the new Audi A6 range makes its international debut this week, with enhancements to visual appeal, refinement and convenience electronics. With the rising cost of fuel and the improvements in fuel economy and emissions (averaging 12 per cent via the new or updated engines), will be welcomed by both private and fleet buyers.

Key Changes to the Audi A6 Range for 2008

• The New Audi A6 range will be available for UK order in August 2008 with first deliveries in late October 2008 – the Audi A6 Saloon has prices from £24,800 OTR and the  Audi A6 Avant from £26,370 OTR.
• A new Audi RS 6 Saloon introduced to complement existing Audi RS6 Avant version – available from August for November delivery priced at £76,160 OTR (Audi RS 6 Avant £77,730 OTR).
• Styling revisions inside and out, a major update of the engine line-up bringing fuel efficiency gains averaging 12 per cent and reconfigured suspension for improved comfort.
• Latest generation quattro system with 40/60 torque split.
• New petrol engine range highlight - supercharged 3.0-litre TFSI unit with 290PS and 420Nm from 2,500rpm to 4,850rpm.
• New headline engine in TDI range – 2.0-litre TDI now featuring ultra-efficient common rail fuel injection with piezo injectors – all TDI engines now common rail-equipped.
• New ‘e’ model achieves 53.3mpg and 139g/km CO2 output through technical and aerodynamic refinements.
• Enhanced cabin incorporates new third generation Multi Media Interface infotainment system with high capacity navigation mapping and 3D display.

Priced from £24,800 OTR for the new economy-targeting Audi A6 2.0 TDIe model, delivering in excess of 53mpg with 139g/km of CO2, the Audi A6 range is available to order now and will reach its first UK customers in October 2008

At the same time, the eagerly awaited Audi RS6 Saloon version of the potent ten-cylinder Audi RS6 Avant, which like the A6 allroad quattro and Audi S6  model range incorporates many of the new  enhancements and is priced at £76,160 OTR. Its Avant counterpart, like all Avant versions, carries a premium of £1,570.

There are Two all-new engines in the Audi A6 range – a 3.0-litre TFSI petrol unit which makes its debut here to effectively replace both the 3.2 FSI V6 and the 4.2 V8, and the advanced 2.0-litre TDI with common rail piezo fuel injection, whose impressive frugality makes the new Audi A6 TDIe model possible. This 136PS diesel unit replaces the 2.0-litre pump jet injection engine with 140PS, and later in 2008 will also become available in the Audi A6 in 170PS form.

Last night Richard Hammond raced the Audi RS6 against a pair of French Skiers … and lost.

The Audi RS6 is the most powerful estate car in the world. Richard mentions in his review that is more than Ferrari F430 and the Ferrari F50.

Unfortunately the Richard Hammond’s map reading skills are as bad as his french and he narrowly lost the race.

There have been persistent rumors of some new Audi announcements at next weeks Frankfurt Car Show for some time now

It now looks like one of the announcements was to have been  the new Audi RS6 - information has been leaked about the new audiRS6 model.

The new RS6 will be powered by a twin-turbo version of the S6’s 5.2-litre V10, which now develops 572bhp at 6,250rpm.

There’s 480lb ft of torque available from as low down as 1,500rpm, helping to shove the RS6 (in Avant guise) to 62mph in 4.6 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

Transmission is a six-speed Tiptronic auto gearbox, while Dynamic Ride Control and ESP ensure that all four driven wheels stay on the road.

A bulked-up Torsen diff divides torque with a 40:60 front/rear split, while huge ventilated all-disc brakes take care of stopping duties. Ceramics are a extra cost option.

It’s the tried-and-tested RS approach in the visuals department - nothing too extravagant but plenty of subtle pointers.
Wider wheel arches house 19-inch spokes - although 20s are available if you want them - while at the front there’s a meatier bumper and LED running lights.

The rear gets a full-width diffuser and a pair of chromed oval tailpipes, but all-in-all there’s not too much to indicate the power lurking within.