Traditionally, RS-model Audis have only rolled into dealers later on in a model's lifecycle, but Ingolstadt is pushing its new RS6 to market barely a year after the all-new 'cooking' A6, which hits dealers this spring.
This is presumably to steal the M5's thunder, as the twin-turbo V8 BMW is due to make its motor show debut in Shanghai this April before going on sale in September.
Powering the new RS6 will most likely be a twin-turbo V8 with anything between 550hp and 600hp (although some reports suggest that a naturally aspirated V10 could find its way under the bonnet), while a slightly less spicy S6 (expected to hit the streets just before the RS6's unveiling next March) will get a 430hp naturally aspirated V8