Audi has announced the RS 6 Avant, a high-performance hybrid, which will be available in the US at the end of the first quarter of 2020.

"In our 25-year RS history, the Audi RS 6 Avant is one of our absolute icons with a large fan community worldwide," says Oliver Hoffmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport. GmbH. "For the first time we will also offer the RS 6 Avant in North America. This will open up we are entering a new market with great potential and generating further growth."

The automaker says that the RS 6 Avant offers a unique exterior design that consists entirely of RS-specific parts. The body of the RS 6 Avant has been widened by 40 millimeters on each side. In addition, flared wheel arches and 22-inch wheels add to the vehicle’s sporty style.

The front differs from the rest of the A6 series and includes a new hood with a power dome and front headlamps, which are flatter and sportier, and also featured on the A7 series. Buyers can also choose the RS-Matrix LED laser headlamp with darkened Orifices as well as LED combination rear lights that feature a dynamic flashing light which is activated during locking and unlocking.

The RS 6 Avant’s has a black three-dimensional honeycomb structure within a single frame grill and a new RS bumper with side air intakes below the LED headlamps. The side view displays an elongated front end, long, straight roofline and flat D-pillars supported by the Quattro blister. The rear features a roof edge spoiler and an RS-specific bumper with rear diffuser and black design elements. Also, the exhaust system extends into oval pipes on both sides.

In terms of power, the new Audi RS 6 Avant delivers 441 kW (600 PS) and 800 Nm of torque. The vehicle goes from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and in just 12 seconds, it reaches 200 km/h. The RS 6 Avant features a 48-volt main electrical system which provides the V8 Biturbo with astonishing performance and efficiency.

The mild-hybrid system (MHEV) stores up to 12 kW of power in a separate lithium-ion battery. The MHEV technology enables start/stop operation from as low as 22 km/h, meaning that in day to day operation up to 0.8 liters per 100 kilometers can be saved.

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The new RS 6 Avant features standard progressive steering with direct transmission and an optional dynamic package and dynamic package plus for all-wheel steering. The interior RS displays provide information on tire pressure, torque, power, engine oil temperature, boost pressure, lap time measurements, acceleration measurements, and g-forces. Certainly, everything you’d expect and more from a high-performance hybrid.