Inside Line has learned from Audi USA communications chief Jeff Kuhlman that the 2012 Audi A6 will come with the 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine, in addition to the 295-hp 3.0 TFSI V6, when it goes on sale this summer. Equipped with a version of the 2.0-liter D.I. turbo and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the A6 should hit 28 mpg combined on the highway, he said. And yes, this would be the first four-cylinder A6 ever sold in the United States.
So that's the good news. The bad news is that Audi has no current plans to bring the 2013 Audi RS4 here in either wagon or sedan form.
Kuhlman says Audi is wary of over-extending the RS range in the United States and, for now, just wants to see how the TT RS (launches in third-quarter 2011) and RS5 (summer 2012) do here. Do you think caution is warranted here... would you be more likely to buy an RS5 coupe over an RS4 sedan?
hurls65 says:
11:14 AM, 03/31/11
28 Highway maybe... but 28 combined, no way. That's more than an A4 with the same drivetrain gets.
sgude says:
11:31 AM, 03/31/11
It already seems diluted ... how do consumers know to choose between the S models and the RS models? What do the salespeople tell their customers? "The S is for people who like to go fast; the RS is for people who like to go really fast."
Then again, anyone who knows about the RS models probably knows what they're getting into.
autoboy1 says:
12:03 PM, 03/31/11
I think the 2.0t is a fantastic idea for Audi on the A6. It's a great motor and will perform adequately in the A6. It will be able to go up against the 528i very well. I always thought the 3.0t was a little too much motor for a lot of luxury drivers who simply want good off the line torque and adequate passing power.
oldvwagon01 says:
12:06 PM, 03/31/11
I'm so tired of not getting the best, imo, Euro toys here. Why not compromise, Audi? If the RS5 coupe is coming, why not bring the RS4 over in wagon form?
huyracing says:
12:24 PM, 03/31/11
I probably would get an RS5 over an RS4, but if I had that money, I'd get a proper sports car, not a sports sedan. Most people I know buying these cars would rather do the same, but they are cursed with kids... so they settle on 4 door sedans with ridiculous amounts of power. Might be a problem being 2 doors for these people with kids... but it may find the housewives and metrosexuals who just want to be fancy.
hondacura4 says:
12:33 PM, 03/31/11
Given the last generation RS4 was the first and most popular Audi RS model in the U.S., why would Audi choose not to bring it here? In terms of volume it seems as it would be more successful vs the TT-RS.
blueguydotcom says:
02:22 PM, 03/31/11
Using the TT RS as a gauge is silly. The TT has almost no visibility to buyers and is such a sales bomb that the RS is not going to help its cause with a 60k+ price tag. At that price there are many, many cars that will appeal to more buyers.
The RS4 can appeal to far more buyers - the folks who opt for the M3.
witnessx says:
02:58 PM, 03/31/11
If I could, I'd probably take both an RS4 and RS5. As for being worried about over-extending the RS badge here, I do not see where that logic is coming from. The TT RS isn't even here yet, BMW whored the M badge out with the X5 M & X6 M, and Mercedes offered an AMG version of the R-class at one point. The only RS models North America has had a chance to experience have been the 2003 RS6 and the 07-08 RS4.
questionlp says:
03:18 PM, 03/31/11
Since I already have an S5 and would have loved to have gotten the S4 Avant, I would actually take the RS4 Avant over the RS5 if I could keep my S5.
If I had to sell my S5 for either, I would stick with the RS5.
questionlp says:
03:42 PM, 03/31/11
quattro Gmbh used to only produce one "RS" model at a given time, but that kind of changed with the release of the R8 and providing styling components for S-Line models.
Audi has been trying to make the "RS" line more akin to the proper "M" line, though some of that has gone awry. For instance, the Q7 V12 TDI is technically an "RS" model, just like the X5-M and the X6-M are "M" models. Fortunately for S/RS fans, that does mean that there will be more RS models available at the same time... at least in Europe.
Right now, Europe has access to the RS3 Sportback, the RS5 coupe, at one point the RS6 Avant and the Q7 V12 TDI, plus the various R8 models.
If Audi and quattro Gmbh can muster multiple RS models at the same time while keeping the cars unique and powerful (not to extent of M or AMG), more power to them. Audi just needs to figure out how to expand production to deal with the increased demands of their non-RS models!
sherief says:
04:35 PM, 03/31/11
That's funny, I read elsewhere that Audi wants to expand the prescence of the RS brand in the states.
RS4 sedan: doesn't exist, the RS5 has taken its place.
Watching TT-RS sales is kind of irrelevant. Far more buyers would line up for an RS4 Avant.
albook says:
05:38 PM, 03/31/11
Meh....I'd still need a V8 before considering this. When it comes to me driving, I don't really care about gas mileage that much right now (though I'll pay attention when it hits $5 a gallon). My '08 E550 looks better and better everyday....
eldaino2 says:
07:31 PM, 03/31/11
sgude: how is it diluted? S4=335i/is, rs4=m3. Simple enough. Audi hasn't whored the badge like bmw.
I love the ttrs, but if a few online voters were able to get it here, the rs4 should be no problem. Though id rather see a turbo v8 in it over the n/a v8.
If I could just get an s4 avant someday, id be content
cjasis says:
08:19 AM, 04/ 1/11
Mistake.
BMW is expanding their M division, Mercedes is expanding their AMG division, Nissan/Infiniti has added a performance line, Caddilac is getting a lot of positive press out of their V series, and Lexus is rumored to be expanding their F division with a GS F.... Audi should not be playing catch up if, especially if they already have great products.
I have absolutely no interest in either the TTrs or the RS5 but would order and RS4 Avant today if it were available.
lucien4 says:
05:55 PM, 04/ 2/11
Car & Driver reports that the A6 2012 2.0 TFSI FWD is expected to get 25/33mpg. That would be pretty good numbers. The price should be lot lower to. I only wished styling could have been more different. The A7 certainly has more 'interesting' styling but no small engine available and won't be cheap:-(.