Autoblog

Reader Spy: Chevy Volt caught on set of Transformers 2

Damon Lavrinc — 2008-08-28T20:33:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet, GM

Click either image to view full gallery of the production Chevy Volt

Ed sent us the top pic pilfered from the Transformers Live Action Blog and judging by the roofline, headlights and taillights, you're looking at the first picture of the production Chevy Volt. Not proof enough? Click on the image above and look closely at the metal plate in front of the sideview mirror. It's emblazoned with the four letters that spell out GM's savior. The Volt it is. Our boys at AutoblogGreen have already called upon the General's minions for a comment, but no response has been delivered to our inbox... yet.

UPDATE: We've found view video of the production Volt on the Transformers 2 set here. Also check out screen grabs like the one above that show the production Volt in full view in our gallery below.

Gallery: Production Chevy Volt

[Source: Transformers Live Action Blog]

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BMW X1, 7 Series hybrid headed to Paris; Z4 to debut in LA

Alex Nunez — 2008-08-28T10:02:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Euro, Paris Motor Show

Inside Line has the skinny on BMW's new product unveils for the upcoming show season. Paris and L.A. are the headliners, with the City of Light chosen as the backdrop for the official public debuts of the all-new 7 series (including an ActiveHybrid variant) and facelifted 3 Series. While those cars will get their fair share of attention, all eyes will likely to be on the concept X1, which will also make its world debut in Paris.

The baby ute should be to the X3 what the 1 Series is to the 3. As for its "concept" status, if Bimmer concepts in recent years are any indication (think M5, Z4 Coupe, and M3), the X1 show car and production vehicle should be essentially one and the same. The next major unveiling involving a roundel-wearing car will take place this November in Los Angeles, where the redesigned Z4 will be introduced. According to Inside Line, it'll go on sale in January. As for the X1? Time will tell. Details on if and/or when it'll be offered in the States aren't available yet.

[Source: Inside Line]

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Spy Shots: MkVI Golf GTI spotted testing

Dan Roth — 2008-08-23T09:08:00+00:00

Filed under: Spy Photos, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen

Not too many surprises lie under the camoflage, the next-generation GTI will be the Angry-Teut-Box version of Volkswagen's forthcoming Golf VI, which we've already seen. The overall milieu is an evolutionary step from our current fifth-generation Golf/Rabbit, though the detail changes to the GTI that KGP snagged add some sporty stylistic touches which will undoubtedly be backed up by hardware. The front end gets honeycomb grilles for every opening and eschews foglamps in favor of brake cooling, with bright red calipers now squeezing away. A dual exhaust setup might have you thinking R32 instead of GTI, but there are rumors floating around that the R32 will be kaput after the current generation. We hope that the MkVI keeps or even expands upon the current GTI's demeanor, which finally returned to some of the original hot-hatch magic after years of bloat. Rumors are that the GTI VI will show up at the Paris Motor Show as a "concept" - nudge,nudge,wink,wink.

[Source: golfmk6.com, Photo:KGP]

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More shots of Chevy Cruze from Lordstown

John Neff — 2008-08-22T10:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Plants/Manufacturing, Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet, GM

Click above for more new live shots of the 2011 Chevy Cruze

Yesterday's announcement by General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner that his company would invest $500 million in the U.S. to build the 2011 Chevy Cruze was perhaps most welcomed by the workers at GM's assembly plant in Lordstown, OH where the car will be built. That plant is getting a $350 million shot in the arm to gear up for the Cruze, which appeared on stage with Wagoner for the announcement. The car on hand was only a foam model, but it looks ready to drive away in (just don't lean on the doors), and these new images give us a few more views of the Cruze not afforded by the official images of a red car released by GM yesterday. Cruze news will probably be hard to come by until October when the car makes its official world debut at the Paris Motor Show, so until then we're left wondering how well it will match up against the likes of the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, next-gen Focus and the rest of the compact sedan segment.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze

[Source: GM, Photos by Bill Pugliano/Getty and David A. DeNoma]

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Spy Shots: Fiat 500 Abarth SS

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-08-21T21:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Spy Photos, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks

Fiat is set to debut the high performance version of its fashionable 500 -- possibly in October at the Paris Motor Show -- and spy shots have revealed that development is well underway. If fans of the retro-mobile were let down by the Abarth model's relatively puny 133-horsepower and sub-eight-second run to 60, the SS model will improve those numbers considerably. For its range-topping city car, Fiat is likely to fit a revised turbocharged engine offering an estimated 160 horses along with the Q2 Torsen C limited slip differential from Alfa Romeo.

The latest round of spy shots for the expected SS prove that the Italians are masters of restraint. Despite looking very similar to the plain-jane 500, unique cues like dual exhausts and special wheels stand to differentiate the high-performance model. We also spotted some vents in the hood of the SS which are not present on the more pedestrian Abarth. This model should be able to hold its own with the other retro hot-hatch, the MINI Cooper S JCW. Speaking of which, has Fiat noticed how well the MINI brand has been selling in the States these days?

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Spy Shots: Maserati Gran Turismo Spyder

Damon Lavrinc — 2008-08-19T17:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, Paris Motor Show, Maserati

Never underestimate a car guy on holiday. That's the lesson to be learned by Maserati, which apparently left a Gran Turismo Spyder mule in a lot somewhere in Modena.

An eagle-eyed tourist snapped off a handful of pics showing the two-piece roof and articulating trunk in its earliest stages of development. Expect the Gran Turismo Spyder to make its debut in Paris later this year, with sales beginning in early 2009.

[Source: AutoGespot]

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VIDEO: Larger of view of production Volt, debut at centennial?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-08-18T15:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet

Click above to watch a video with slides of the production Chevy Volt

We got our first sneak peek at the production Chevy Volt last week, but a recent presentation by Bob Boniface, director of design for the Volt, has revealed a bit more. We've pasted a video of the presentation and slide show after the break, and in it Boniface notes how the concept's straight lines and tight corners have been smoothed over and rounded out in an effort to reduce turbulence. This streamlining improves the Volt's fuel mileage, range on electricity and the amount of regenerative braking that can be captured. Also seen for the first time is a rear shot of the Volt, showing a pronounced "vertical fin," and a new rear spoiler design. Likewise, the side-view mirrors' mounting arrangement was revised for reduced aerodynamic drag. These changes, along with countless others which have not been fully revealed, have allowed the Volt's engineers and designers to increase EV-only range by six to seven miles.

While we're salivating over all the little tidbits of information on the Volt, we look forward to its official debut expected in Paris at the Motor Show this October. However, recent rumors indicate that the extended-range electric-vehicle could be seen at GM's Centennial celebration on September 16. Thanks for the tip, Emil!

Gallery: Production Chevy Volt

[Sources: GM-Volt, Green Fuels Forecast, The Detroit Free Press]

Continue reading VIDEO: Larger of view of production Volt, debut at centennial?

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"Bonjour, Michel": Citroën C6 Office -- like KITT for French businessmen

Alex Nunez — 2008-08-17T07:02:00+00:00

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Citroen

Click above for a gallery of the Citroen C6 Office

Citroën and Intersection magazine have integrated KITT-like visual style with a number of in-car distractions to create the C6 Office, a rolling style project aimed at European business overlords. It'll make its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, a favorite the yacht-and-helo set it's meant to appeal to. From there, it'll head to Paris Fashion Week for another go-round before the bourgeoisie, ultimately trickling down to the rabble at the Paris Motor Show in October.

The variety of partners involved in the creation include Blackberry and Kenwood on the technical side, while Krug champagne and swanky food store Fauchon ensure that backseat wheeler-dealers stay drunk and well-fed. Alcantara appears to adorn everything above the beltline inside and a "Black Shadow" finish covers the exterior surfaces, from the grillework down to the Parotech wheels. We'll bring you live shots of the C6 Office in October when we see it along with the rest of the filthy peasants in Paris.

Gallery: Citroen C6 Office

[Source: Citroën via Zercustoms]

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Ford Ka gets role in new Bond movie

Sam Abuelsamid — 2008-08-14T20:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ka in the movies

Ford's new Ka mini-car will be making its official debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October, but it already has a bit part in the next James Bond movie. Since the success of Casino Royale and the walk on part played by the then-new Mondeo, Ford has taken up the automotive product placement mantle in all Bond movies for the foreseeable future. Unlike the Mondeo, which Bond picked up from a Caribbean rental car counter, the Ka, which shares a platform with the Fiat 500, will apparently be tossed around by the super spy's feminine counterpart. Ford hasn't given any indication that it will bring the Ka to the US market, but given recent announcements about globalizing its products, a Stateside Ka certainly can't be counted out. In the meantime, we can see if the Ka can fly like an Aston Martin DBS when Quantum of Solace hits theaters in November.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Ka - Bond movie

[Source: Ford]

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Rendered Speculation: Audi S5 Cabrio

Noah Joseph — 2008-08-14T15:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Convertibles, Paris Motor Show, Audi, Rendered Speculation

With spy shots already out in the open, so to speak, anticipation is running rampant on the upcoming convertible version of the Audi A5/S5 coupe. The cabrio is anticipated to replace the convertible version of the A4, and is tipped to make its debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

The photoshop rendering you see above was skillfully executed by Quinty, and gives us a pretty good idea of what the sporty S5 cabrio could look like. While its competitors opt for retractable hard-tops, the convertible A5 and S5 are expected to use a simpler (and lighter-weight) soft-top, surrounded by a chrome strip to class it up a little. Power will likely carry over from the fixed-roof version when the new convertible hits the market early next year.

[Source: Autoblog.nl via CarScoop]

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Insignia Sports Tourer wagon revealed before Paris Motor Show

John Neff — 2008-08-14T11:28:00+00:00

Filed under: Wagons/Estates, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Opel, Vauxhall

Click above for high-res gallery of the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer

The all-new Insignia is about to go on sale as a Vauxhall in Britain and an Opel throughout the rest of Europe, thereby replacing the Vectra sedan. It's a marked improvement over its predecessor in style, and we're eager for it to arrive in the States as the next-gen Saturn Aura. Vauxhall had the honor today of announcing the next version of the Insignia that will makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October: the Insignia Sports Tourer. That's a fancy way of calling it a wagon, or estate as they like to say in the old country. Being that the sedan and hatch are quite handsome, it's fair to say the Sports Tourer is as well, though its rear end looks like a lowered Audi Q7. GM Europe says that all the bodywork aft of the B-pillar is unique to the Sports Tourer, and that while the length of the wheelbase hasn't changed, a little over three inches was added to the overall length. Vauxhall also announced a more power turbodiesel engine and smaller turbocharged four-cylinder will be joining the Insignia's engine lineup, but are saving any details, including the wagon's capacities, until the Paris Motor Show.

Gallery: Vauxhall/Opel Insignia Sports Tourer

[Source: Vauxhall]

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Honda's Prius-killing hybrid gets a date: April 2009

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-08-13T15:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Paris Motor Show, Honda

Click above for high-res gallery of Honda Hybrid spy shots

Hybrids are hot and Honda is anxious to get in on the action that Toyota's been unable to fully quench with its Prius hybrid sedan. We expect to see the production version of Honda's new hybrid, which will apparently not be called the Insight, to debut in October at the Paris Motor Show. Fortunately, Honda won't make us wait too long to buy its new hybrid, as the five-door hatchback is rumored to show up in dealer lots by April of 2009. Toyota also plans on showing off its new third-gen Prius at the Detroit Auto Show in January, so it will be very interesting to watch these to tangle in the marketplace. Honda plans to undercut its rival in the pricing wars with its hybrid coming in at a base price of less than $19,000, a few thousand less than the larger Prius. Both models will use nickel metal hydride batteries (for now) as opposed to the latest lithium ion units in an effort to keep their costs down. Both should also score fuel mileage numbers somewhere in the 50-60 mpg range. For its part, Honda is planning to build 200,000 units of its new hybrid annually, with 100,000 earmarked for the U.S. Let the (fuel-saving) games begin!

Gallery: Spy Shots: Honda Hybrid

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

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Audi reveals 2009 RS6 sedan, new A6 sedan and Avant

Damon Lavrinc — 2008-08-11T19:23:00+00:00

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi RS6 sedan.

It looks like we won't have to wait for the Paris Motor Show to get our first glimpse of the 2009 Audi RS6 sedan and it's lesser A6 siblings. Audi has released all the details on its new four-door M5-eater, packing a direct-injected, twin-turbo'd V10 putting out 580 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. The same mill that powers the Avant version allows the sedan to sprint to 60 in 4.5-seconds on its way to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph. The duo of turbos huffs 1.6 bars of boost into the dry sump-equipped 5.0-liter V10, with peak torque arriving at 1,500 RPM and maximum horsepower available at 6,250 RPM.

A six-speed tiptronic transmission allows drivers to choose between automatic or manual mode, reducing shift times by one-tenth of second, and sending power to Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Dynamic Ride Control reduces pitch and roll, providing three damper settings - sport, dynamic and comfort - all of which can be activated through the revised MMI system.

The RS6 is fitted with 19-inch wheels at all four corners, wrapped in 255/40R19 rubber, and framing 390mm front discs clamped by fixed, six-piston calipers in front and 365 mm rotors, gripped by single-piston calipers in the rear. Buyers can upgrade the wheels to 20x9.5-inch rollers, which allow the fitment of Audi's ceramic brake system (420mm discs in front and 356 mm discs out back).

The standard A6 sedan and Avant benefits from the new MMI system, along with a new single-frame grille, bumpers, air vents and fog lamps. An S-line package includes 18-inch wheels and a sports suspension that drops the ride height by 30mm. Six gasoline engines and four oilburners will be available, including the 170 hp, 2.0-liter gasoline TFSI four-pot, a 290 hp, 2.8-liter FSI V6, a 350 hp, 4.2-liter FSI V8 and the new, supercharged 3.0-liter V6. Audi's diesel offerings range from 2.0- to a 3.0-liter TDIs.

Sales of both models will begin in mid-October and all the details are available in the two press releases after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Audi RS6

Gallery: 2009 Audi A6

Continue reading Audi reveals 2009 RS6 sedan, new A6 sedan and Avant

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Rendered Speculation: Production Chevy Volt

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-08-08T12:31:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet, Rendered Speculation

The Truth About Cars' contributor Andrei Avavarii is one of those rare individuals with a real knack for using Photoshop. Being a dedicated car guy, Avavarii's photochoppery is often a very good representation of what a real production automobile could look like. Such is the case with his latest piece, which offers an early glimpse into the design of GM's most highly anticipated vehicle before it's finally released to the public sometime in 2010 (hopefully).

The most radical design element kept in this speculative-image are the transparent sections built into the upper door skins first seen on the original concept. Lutz says that the production car will be recognizable as a Volt though some concessions will need to be made, so Avavarii has enlarged the greenhouse and streamlined the car a bit for the sake of aerodynamics. Of course, we'll just need to wait till Chevy lays down its cards -- possibly as early as this October in Paris -- before we know how accurate this rendering may be, but it's always fun to speculate in the meantime.

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

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Suzuki Maruti Alto to debut in Paris

Jeremy Korzeniewski — 2008-08-08T08:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Economy, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Suzuki, India

Click above for two high-res shots of the new Suzuki Alto

Suzuki will bring its seventh-generation Alto to the Paris Motor Show this October, featuring stylistic and powertrain upgrades to compete with the best and brightest from the budget-oriented, compact class. Based on the A-Star concept introduced at last year's New Delhi Motor Show, the new model will be built in India by Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant, and will likely packing a 1.0-liter engine which should make Euro V emissions regulations a breeze to exceed. Expect the new Alto to find its largest market in India, along with limited sales throughout Europe. For an economy car, it's a pretty decent looker from what we can tell from the two shots Suzuki's released ahead of the show, and we expect it will find plenty of buyers looking for a relatively cheap way to get around. Check the press release after the break for more.

Gallery: Paris Preview: Suzuki Alto

[Source: Suzuki]

Continue reading Suzuki Maruti Alto to debut in Paris

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Early Look: £1million Aston Martin One-77

Damon Lavrinc — 2008-08-07T20:23:00+00:00

Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Supercars, Aston Martin

UPDATE: Official press release from Aston Martin added after the break. High-res gallery below.

Click above for a larger image.

Aston Martin has released the first image of its newest flagship - the limited edition One-77. Details are scarce, but the One-77 will be powered by a hand-built 7.0-liter V12 nestled inside an aluminum and carbon fiber chassis. 0-60 times are estimated at 3.5-seconds, with a top speed cresting 200 mph.

77 examples of the £1 million coupe will be produced and customers will be able to customize the bespoke supercar to meet their individual tastes. The One-77 will be revealed later this year (Paris?) and will go on sale shortly afterwards.

This will be the first all-new vehicle from Aston Martin produced after the brand was sold by Ford to a group of investors spearheaded by Prodrive's David Richards. We're also curious to know if the One-77 will play a part in Project Alligator, the rumored collaboration between Aston and Mercedes-Benz. All details will be revealed in due time. Until then let your eyes feast on the only image we have of the upcoming One-77 supercar.

Gallery: Aston Martin One-77 Teaser

Continue reading Early Look: £1million Aston Martin One-77

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Honda's Prius-fighter coming to Paris

Chris Shunk — 2008-08-07T17:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Paris Motor Show, Honda

Last month we showed you spy photos of Honda's Prius-fighting hybrid testing in the desert, and now we have confirmation that the dedicated hybrid will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October. The hybrid-only model, which looks awfully Prius-like when camo'd, will carry many styling cues from the handsome FCX Clarity. The Honda hybrid will go on sale in 2009, will start at under $20k and is rumored to achieve at least 60 mpg. Honda plans to build 200,000 units per year, with half of the production coming to our shores. The Honda hybrid will utilize a smaller, lighter version of the 1.3L engine from the Civic hybrid, with a CVT transmission and a nickel metal hydride battery pack.

The still unnamed hybrid hatch is just one piece of Honda's larger goal of producing 500k hybrids a year by 2012. Honda is also planning a battery-assisted Fit sub-compact, a new Civic hybrid, and a production version of the CR-Z coupe concept. We're excited to see Honda's dedicated hybrid, which will be the first real competition to the Prius and an honest to goodness alternative for the American consumer.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Honda Hybrid

[Source: Inside Line]

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Saab 9-3X, 9-3 concept coming to Paris?

John Neff — 2008-08-05T09:26:00+00:00

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Saab

The Saab 9-3X will be a soft-roading version of the Swedish brand's bread-and-butter sedan and wagon, a.k.a. SportCombi, and word has it that the all-wheel-drive wonders will be making their debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. Unlike the performance-oriented Turbo X, the 9-3X will use its Haldex AWD system for tackling particularly deep potholes, traversing heavily packed snow and otherwise offering its owners the sure footedness that comes with all four wheels turning at once. Based on our previous spy photos, we expect the 9-3X to look the part with fender flares, a lifted suspension and faux skid plates. Seriously though, adding AWD to the 9-3 in a mini-SUV package is a smart move right now and one that's been paying Subaru dividends for some time.

Also on the docket for a Paris debut is a new 9-3 concept that should preview what the next iteration of the sedan and wagon will look like. Our flights are booked, hotel rooms reserved and appetite for pasta at a fever pitch, so we'll bring you live coverage of these two reveals as they happen from Italy in early October.

[Source: Channel4]

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Paris 2008 Preview: Citroen to bring back the 2CV?

Noah Joseph — 2008-08-04T19:02:00+00:00

Filed under: Economy, Euro, Paris Motor Show, PSA, Citroen, Rumormill

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Citroen 2CV

Resurrecting the cars that put automakers on the map seems to be all the rage in the industry these days. Volkswagen brought back the Beetle a few years back and, more recently, Fiat resurrected the 500. Porsche... well, the 911 never really went away. But you get the idea. One iconic turning-point of an automobile that has yet to be awakened is the Citroen 2CV.

Launched after the end of WWII in 1949, the Citroen 2CV (so named because of its two-steam-horsepower equivalent rating) grew extremely popular due to its low cost and versatility. It could go anywhere, consumed little gas, and was extremely simple both to build and to maintain. By the time the last one rolled off the production line in 1990 - now that's one heck of a run - over 3.8 million units were built, and the 2CV gained iconic status and a cult following. Next year Citroen will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 2CV. Given the momentous occasion, the coincidence of the show's alternate location in Paris this year and how poised the current economic climate would be for such a vehicle, it would seem an ideal time for PSA to give us a new 2CV that could put the French automaker back on the map with a low-cost vehicle to rival the Tata Nano, only with more character. Whether Citroen actually has any such plans is of course pure speculation at this point, so we'll just have to sit back and wait until October to find out.

Gallery: Citroen 2CV

[Source: Auto Unleashed]

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Paris 2008 Preview: Audi to unveil RS6 sedan

Noah Joseph — 2008-08-04T17:28:00+00:00

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Paris Motor Show, Audi

You have to sit back and applaud a car like the Audi RS6 Avant. As we've noted with amazement countless times, it's a station wagon capable of outgunning supercars. In Europe that sort of thing flies, and while it still won't be making the transatlantic voyage (even though we're sure that, with a set of wings attached, it could get here on its own), even back in the old world not everyone is keen on the estate body-style. Which is why Audi is preparing a conventional four-door sedan version of the RS6, which our photographers spied all but completely undisguised out on the street a little over a month ago. Reports now indicate that the twin-turbo V10 super-sedan will be unveiled at the upcoming Paris Motor Show this coming October. We can expect the sedan version to carry the same mechanicals as its wagon counterpart, however certain visual updates are expected to be shown on the top-of-the-line RS6 sedan before they trickle down to the entire A6 range.

Gallery: Audi RS6 - spy shots

[Source: Auto Unleashed]

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