Frankfurt Show Preview: New Audi S6 and S6 Avant

Acura continues the celebration of its 25th anniversary with the launch of a new version of the 2012 TSX sedan named Special Edition that is available exclusively with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.

The Japanese company says the new model was "designed to evoke the fun-to-drive 4-cylinder Acuras of the past" (so does that mean it's current portfolio isn't "fun-to-drive"?), which in reality translates to a subtle aero package, added standard equipment and the availability of a manual gearbox.

On the outside, the TSX SE gains a front apron, a new rear bumper fascia, side skirts, a set of Special Edition badges and bespoke 17-inch alloy wheels featuring a polished finish with dark grey background.

Interior upgrades include a variety of cosmetic appointments such as the seating surfaces in perforated black Lux Suede inserts and red backing, red stitching for the seats, steering wheel and the shift knob, plus red lighting for the instrument cluster gauges, overhead lighting and footwell lighting.

The aluminum pedal covers and the bright silver plating for the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters along with black headliner material complete the look.

As previously noted, the TSX Special Edition is powered by the firm's K24 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine available with either a close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox or a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission.

Sales will begin in late September with the TSX SE to make its first public outing at the Orange County International Auto Show on September 22nd.

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ABT Sportsline Customizes New Audi A6 Avant

The latest generation of Audi's A6 Avant has received some aftermarket love from VW Group tuning specialist, ABT Sportsline, with the release of the AS6 package that includes both performance and styling upgrades.

The power gains are similar to those of the sedan model. The base 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel with 204HP gets a jump to 240HP, while the more potent version of the TDI with 245 factory ponies now makes 300-horsepower.

The 3.0-liter V6 gasoline TSI receives a bump from 300HP to 420HP allowing the A6 Avant to complete the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5.0 seconds.

There's an available body kit that comprises of a front apron, side skirts, a roof spoiler and a rear apron, while the look is completed by the quad exhaust pipes and ABT's alloy wheels in sizes 19- to 20-inches.

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Audi's New A6 Hybrid Reportedly Confirmed for the U.S. Market

When Audi pulled the wraps off the newest iteration of the A6 in November, 2010, the Ingolstadt-based automaker made no word about the availability of the hybrid variant in the North American market. And officially, the Germans are still refusing to confirm the A6 Hybrid.

However, Car&Driver magazine is now reporting that it has received confirmation from "several reliable sources within Audi" that the new A6 Hybrid will be sold in the USA starting from next year with a price "somewhere north of $55,000".

It is believed that the U.S.-spec model will be similar to the European version that also goes on sale in 2012.

The European model employs a parallel hybrid concept combining a 2.0-liter TFSI gasoline engine delivering 211-horses and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) with an electric motor that produces an output of 33 kW (45 hp) and 211 Nm (155.63 lb-ft) of torque.

Directly mounted behind one another, the four-cylinder gasoline engine and the electric motor have a brief combined system output of 245HP (180kW) and 480 Nm (354.03 lb-ft). A modified 8-speed tiptronic transmission transfers power to the front wheels.

The electric motor draws energy from a lithium-ion battery system, which weighs in at 36.7 kg (80.91 lb) and is located in the collision-protected area under the luggage compartment. Audi says the luggage capacity is 375 liters (13.24 cu. ft), which is significantly less than the regular model's 530 liters (18.7 cu.ft).

What you get in return is a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 238 km/h (148mph), but more importantly, a combined fuel economy in the European cycle of less than 6.4 liters per 100 km (36.75 US mpg) with CO2 emissions of less than 146 grams per km (234.96 g/mile).

In addition, Audi says that the A6 Hybrid can be driven up to 100 km/h (62mph) under electric power alone.

Story sources: Car&Driver , Audi

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