The blurb about this on VWvortex says 260 hp and 300 hp V8 engines will be offered on the A6. Since 260 hp applies to the new updated 40-valve 3.7 engine, I would have expected the 4.2 liter engine to make 310 hp (as in the updated A8). Perhaps it is a typo error. In any case, this is great news. Now, if only they would make a manual transmission model available with one of these potent engines (perhaps the smaller 3.7 V8) or the European 2.7 biturbo V6 engine for the U.S. market.<p>I am afraid that if they just offer the 2.8 quattro V6 with manual transmission, i won't have enough power to compete with the likes of the BMW 528i. The A6 quattro is a heavy car and simply needs a stronger engine than the current 200 hp V6.

I am saying this based on the recent track record of Audi not offering the A6 V6 with a manual transmission in the U.S. for the first two years of its life cycle. The other reson is that, unfortunately there is not much demand in the U.S. for stick shift models to justify the cost and effort to certify both V8 models. If they do offer a V8 stick, I am guessing that it will be with the smaller engine only (3.7 liter). As such, it would not be a match for the BMW 540i 6-speed, but a nice performing car. The 4.2 liter V8 with a 6-speed would blow away the 540i (but not the new M5) or MB E430 (and maybe even the E55).<br>

I talked to Jamie who runs the VW Vortex site today, and I asked the same question about the new 40 valve V8 making 310hp in the A8. He said that 300hp came off the Audi press release, so either they had a typo, or it has been detuned just as the V6 in the A4 was.<p>Christian J. Long

what do you guys think a 3.7 and 4.2 quattro A6 can do the 0-60 run in? tiptronic, of course.<p>i say 7.0 sec and 6.0 sec, respectively. i am assuming the 2.7 biturbo w/ 230 horses and manual will do it in about 7.0 sec too.

does the A6 look more like a serious asphalt muncher in the vortex photos? Maybe it's the wheels, or maybe they've tweaked the body. Anyway, it definitely has a more aggressive profile than the A6s I've seen around town. I like it!

The fender flares are much more pronounced, the track is increased, revised spring and damping rates, very cool new wheel options, revised front end, and more...<p>-jamie

If you do the math the A6 is almost $64,000. This is 103,500 DM divided by 1.62 which is the approximate exchange rate. <p>The price quoted is for Germany, now take into account that cars in Germany have a huge tax on them. An A4 2.8 in Germany cost considerably more in Germany than it does over here($10-$12,000 more). You see few A4 2.8's in the home land. Most of the A4's you see are TDI, 1.6, 1.8, and 1.8T and I only saw a couple 1.8T's. I would guess that the A6 V-8 will come in somewhere in the $48-$52,000 range.<p>Germans envy what we have to pay for cars compared to what they pay for the same thing. <p>

... Don't you think Audi would continue to offer them at a discounted rate in the states like they do the A4, which costs significantly more in Europe than here?<p>I would think that the top-o'-the-linr A6 V8 would come in somewhere in the mid-$50K range to compete with the 540i.<p>Man, I'd love to drive one!<p>J.Russ<br>98.5 Avant qMS pelican blue (a color I love more every day)

I say 7 seconds to 60 for the 230hp biturbo is optimistic. 30 more hp on a car that goes to 60 in 9 seconds will bring it down to the mid 7 second range with the manual. I figure the manual will give it a 1 second advantage, and the 30 hp will give it another .5 second And then, there will be chips galaore for the biturbo that will boost it up to 260hp....<p>Christian J. Long