Audi plans to make a decision on whether it will introduce a
new generation of the A6 Avant and the hotter RS 6 Avant for the U.S. market
soon.
CarBuzz initially reported in January that its own
source was told by Audi executives that the company had given both wagon models
the green light for the U.S., and that they will arrive with the next RS 7 Sportback. However,
Audi spokesman Mark Dahncke told Motor Authority on Monday that
information is not correct. He said that Audi is actively considering bringing
both the regular A6 Avant and RS 6 Avant to the U.S. with the next-generation
models, but there has not been a final decision. He added Audi has seen the
enthusiasm for the models.
It's clear Audi wants to bring the models here, but it
sounds like the internal business case for the wagons needs to be made. Dahncke
said a decision is coming internally in the near future.
In 2016, Audi spokesman Anthony Garbis explained to MA at
the 2017 Allroad launch why the current A6 Avant and A6 Allroad didn't
make their way to the U.S. It came down to price positioning. Garbis said
Americans hadn't shown a desire for wagons and instead steered toward
crossovers. He added the A6 Avant would probably cost around $60,000 or $70,000
if it were sold here, which is Q7 money. Garbis asked rhetorically how Audi
could justify importing the A6 Avant and A6 Allroad if Americans would likely
choose the Q7 at the same price.
However, last year, Audi of America Vice President of
Product Management Filip Brabec told Motor Trend the brand was
listening intently to the voices clamoring
for the RS 6. "Keep writing letters," he said, and acknowledged
internal discussion about bringing the wagon to the U.S.
The next-generation RS 6 Avant will likely pack a
4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine with 650 horsepower. An RS 6
Performance variant could crank out 700 hp with the addition of an electric
motor. Spy shots from last June showed
Audi is in early development stages for the performance wagon.
Maybe, just maybe, Americans will get to sample what
has been forbidden fruit in the future.
source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1121315_decision-to-bring-audi-rs-6-a6-avant-to-us-coming-soon
by Sean Szymkowski
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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