Over the winter our photogaphers captured several spy photos of an Audi RS6 mule testing in the European North. Now that Spring has returned, the RS6 is testing the limits of adhesion on a different surface – the Nurburgring.

The wagon (Avant) style RS6 is easily distinguishable by some massive wheels and significant air intakes in the front. It’s believed that like the S6 it will use a version of the 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 first fitted to the Bentley Continental. With the S6 model delivering 420 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, look for the RS6 to deliver over 500 hp with a 0-60 time in the low four second range.

Other performance goodies used to keep all that girth in check will include some big carbon ceramic brakes.

Look for Audi to first show off the new RS6 at the Paris Motor Show this Fall.

GALLERY: 2013 Audi RS6

At least that’s the case in the U.S. In Europe a production version of this wagon has been on sale for several months, but despite being on display at this year’s New York Auto Show, the official line from Volkswagen was  just a study designed to gauge public reaction.

However, given the success of vehicles like Subaru’s Legacy Outback here and even Audi’s AllRoad, it seems like a no-brainer to us for a North American version to be made available to dealers.

However, the powertrain may be of some concern in the American market. The European car is offered with a choice of 2.0-liter diesels (the concept in NY sports the 140 hp version) though making that marketable here would probably require a gas option.

That said, a combination of 4Motion all-wheel drive, raised ride height, electronic locking differentials and decent cargo capacity are bound to strike a chord with a healthy portion of North American vehicle shoppers. We’ll see if VW has anything else to say about it once New York show wraps up.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Passat AllTrack concept

German based tuner Abt Sportsline will be revealing four new tuned vehicles for the upcoming Geneva Auto Show.

For Audi, Abt will add some spice to the Audi Q3 crossover. Dubbed the QS3, the compact crossover will receive a power boost from its 2.0 liter engine to produce a total output of 266-hp. Abt has also provided an aggressive body kit to compliment the QS3′s performance.

Abt’s Audi AS6 Avant will also be presented at Geneva, decked out with front and rear spoilers, revised side skirts and a four-tailpipe exhaust system. Sporting a tuned 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine, Abt has massaged the powerplant to put out 355-hp, an extra 46-hp over stock.

For Volkswagen, Abt will feature a crowd stopping Beetle with a reduced ride height, headlight masks and 20-inch alloy wheels. In the power department, this mean Bug will deliver 237-hp.

Finally, Abt gets its hands on the new Volkswagen Up! Offering only aesthetic changes for now, the Up! receives mirror caps, headlight masks and revised side skirts.

GALLERY: Abt Sportsline Geneva Teaser

Our photographers have just caught up with the soon-to-be-revealed Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake.

Spy photos of the unique wagon-styled-coupe that’s actually a sedan (or is it a wagon now?) show a nearly-completed vehicle, suggesting it could make its world premiere as early as the Geneva Motor Show in March. Mercedes has already announced plans for the CLS Shooting Brake to go on sale by the end of this year.

When it does arrive look for power to come from the brand’s new twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 with a choice of either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and if we’re really lucky, a CLS63 Shooting Brake may also be in the pipe with a twin-turbo 5.5-liter engine and well over 500 hp.

GALLERY: Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake Spy Photos

If there were any doubts that Hyundai is planning to offer a second generation of its Elantra Touring in North America, this should pretty much do away with them.

Spied parking in an underground condo garage in Toronto, Canada and sent to us by a friend who runs the Endras BMW Blog, the spy photos at first seem to show some type of Volkswagen prototype. The shape of the headlights, however, is just some camo trickery, and the fenders are most certainly those of the Hyundai Elantra Touring. As though more confirmation was needed, a peak inside shows the Hyundai badge on the steering wheel and a typical Hyundai interior.

When it does arrive on our shores, look for the same engine as the current Elantra, with a 2.0-liter making 148 hp and getting 40 mpg on the highway. Previous reports have suggested a 200 hp turbocharged model could be in the works, as well as a plug-in hybrid version.

GALLERY: 2013 Hyundai Elantra Touring Spy Photos

Read AutoGuide’s 2012 Hyundai Elantra Review Here

Audi’s performance vehicle lineup is about to get a new addition with these latest spy photos revealing what appears to be the next-generation RS6 Avant.

Based on the current generation A6 wagon, the test mule features a more bold font grille, as well as add-on fender flares to accommodate the wider track. Other hints include the use of some larger A8 wheels and some massive ceramic brakes.

Power for the RS6 is expected to come from the new 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine found in cars like the S6, S8 and the new Bentley Continental GT V8. In the Bentley it makes 500 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque, while the S8 boasts 520 hp and 48 lb-ft.

At this point further details are just speculation, but there’s a possibility the new RS6 could get boxy integrated fender flares, reminiscent of the original Audi Quattro, while some body panels could be made of carbon fiber to help shed poundage from the large and luxurious super wagon.

GALLERY: 2013 Audi RS6 Avant Spy Photos

Last week, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety announced that 2012 earned a record number of “top safety picks,” but the automotive industry is looking to set the record number even higher.

Cadillac‘s 2012 SRX crossover and CTS sports sedan and wagon models received a crash safety rating of 5-star overall. According to the National Highway Traffic Adminstration, only 21 vehicles earned the overall high score for 2012.

The SRX and CTS sedan and wagon were tested under NHTSA’s revised New Car Assessment Program first put to effect for the 2011 model year. This revision requires vehicles to pass frontal, side and rollover tests. The 5-star overall rating takes into account the combined results of all the tests.

GM executive director of Vehicle Safety Gay Kent expresses, “Receiving five stars under the new rating system is an impressive feat– on that clearly demonstrates the strength of the SRX and CTS advanced structure, overall crashworthiness and effectiveness of the models’ state-of-the-art safety technologies.”

Hit the jump to watch the video:

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A stylish look at the future of Subaru’s hybrid tech, the Advanced Tourer Concept is one of several Tokyo Motor Show debuts for the Japanese automaker. A wild looking wagon, it’s powered by a turbocharged direct-injection 4-cylinder boxer engine mated to an in-house hybrid drivetrain, working with Subaru’s all-wheel drive system.

GALLERY: Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept

Find out more about the Advanced Tourer Concept in the video below:

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With Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi offering wagon versions of their E-Class, 5-Series and A6 mid-luxury sedans, Jaguar is prepping a wagon version of its XF sedan, and like modern Jaguar‘s, it will take a slightly different approach to the traditional luxury formula.

In the UK, a “Shooting Brake” denotes a sports car converted into a wagon-like vehicle. Some were converted solely to meet the whims of wealthy owners, while others were used to hold hunting gear and other sporting equipment, giving the owner the best of both worlds. The XF Sportbrake will likely take after this tradition, placing an emphasis on style rather than practicality (in the same way that the 5-Series and A6 do, rather than the E-Class with its focus on cargo capacity).

A full engine lineup, ranging from the XF’s ultra-efficient 2.2L diesel engine, up to the 5.0L V8, should be available.  The XF will also get Jaguar’s upcoming AWD system, but what you won’t see is a Sportbrake sold in America.

Gallery: Jaguar XF Sportbrake

Overwhelming proof that wagons, and for that matter hybrids, can in fact be cool, is the Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept. Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show today, the car is powered by the next evolution of Subaru’s hybrid powertrain that is expected to arrive in a production model in 2013.

A followup to the Hybrid Tourer Concept, this uses a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder direct-injection boxer gasoline engine mated to an in-house hybrid system – not a Toyota product. It features both regenerative braking and a lithium-ion battery back, both increasingly standard-fare in the hybrid market. Of note, the ATC also features an electric all-wheel drive system (this is a Subaru after all), operating as a front-drive model under most circumstances, while electric power can be sent to the rear wheels for added grip.

Purposeful features aside, the ATC is simply stunning, with a sleek wagon body and aggressive stance. It also might be the least-tacky example of scissor doors we’ve come across, paired with rear suicide doors, allowing an incredible look into the stunning cabin complete with plenty of natural wood.

GALLERY: Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept

See video of the Advanced Tourer Concept below:

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Subaru has the Legacy and Outback and now Volkswagen has the Passat and the Passat Alltrack. Essentially a high-riding version of the Passat wagon (“Estate”) offered in Europe, the car will make its official debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Along with flared fenders, a stainless steel-look front bumper garnish and some matte-chrome detailing, the Passat Alltrack features VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, underbody protection and a raised ride height. VW says the car’s ground clearance has been increased from 135 mm (5.3 inches) to 165 mm (6.5 inches). The result is a ramp breakaway angle that’s increased from 9.5 to 12.8 degrees, an approach angle that increases from 13.5 to 16 degrees and a departure angle that’s up from 11.9 to 13.6 degrees.

In addition, there’s a hill descent assist setting, and an off-road mode with different settings for the dual-clutch transmission. VW will offer the car in Europe with a choice of two different 2.0-liter TDI engines. No plans have been announced to import the car to North America, and we wouldn’t count on it either.

GALLERY: VW Passat Alltrack

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show preview here

Along with the highly-anticipated debut of the BRZ sports car, Subaru will also reveal a concept car at the Tokyo Auto Show, giving a strong hint as to the brand’s first hybrid vehicle.

An evolution of the Hybrid Tourer Concept, the Advanced Tourer Concept will get a smaller 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, using both direct-injection and turbocharging, paired with an electric motor. Energy will be stored using a high-tech lithium ion battery and the car will also feature regenerative braking. Subaru is targeting a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy over its current models.

As a Subaru, look for an all-wheel drive system, although not the traditional setup. Instead, the system will use electric power to enable a full AWD drive mode, with the car expected to run as a front-driver when powered exclusively by the gasoline engine.

Expected to arrive in 2013, the car will debut alongside the BRZ sports car in Tokyo. Click here to see AutoGuide’s complete Tokyo Motor Show preview.

GALLERY: Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept

Audi‘s growth plan will hinge significantly on the success of its upcoming all-new A3 model. Teased with the A3 Sedan Concept at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year, the 4-door was an obvious sign that Audi wants to push the car hard in the North American marketplace. And why not, with the proposed concept almost identical in size to the current A4. Plus, with the concept car’s 408-hp engine and beautiful styling it certainly won over the younger enthusiast base – including most every blog on the internet.

According to Audi chief designer Stefan Sielaff, along with the sedan, the German automaker is looking to introduce three additional models in the A3 range. Essentially a down-sized version of the A4/A5 range, there will be an A3 hatchback (a must for Europe), as well as both a convertible and sportback model.

Using different versions of the same MQB modular architecture, the longer 103.5-inch wheelbase will be used for the sportback and sedan, while a shorter 102-inch wheelbase platform will be used for the convertible and hatch. Audi has no indicated if it will build a coupe model for the A3 family, although S and RS models are likely.

GALLERY: Audi A3 Sedan Concept

[Source: AMUS]

News regarding the release of coupe, convertible and wagon variants will soon follow after the release of the all-new BMW 3-series.

Although the wagon is a less popular choice for 3-series purchasers in North America, sources confirmed that the wagon, known as the BMW 3-series Touring, will make it to our shores eventually. There was some speculation that it might not, after BMW dropped the 5 Series Touring in North America in favor of the 5 Series GT. That vehicle has subsequently been a flop and BMW is looking to reintroduce the 5er wagon to the U.S.

No date has been set, but the new 3 Series Touring will be available in Europe late 2013. Coupe and Convertible variants will be released later as well, while the outgoing E92 coupes are to be sold alongside the new sedan until replacements arrive. Rumors have suggested the coupe and convertible models could wear the ’4 Series’ badge.

In addition, BMW has hinted that the 3 Series diesel may return to the U.S. as well. A 335d wagon? Now wouldn’t that be nice!

GALLERY: 2012 BMW 3 Series

[Source: Autoblog]

After years of hype (and delays), Fisker finally delivered its first shipment of production models to customers this Summer. The next obvious step would be a concept, followed by several more years of teasers and production hickups. Not so, says CEO Henrik Fisker, unveiling the new Surf model at the Frankfurt Auto Show today.

A five-door shooting brake design, the Surf is intended to bring the Karma’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain to a more functional (yet still very luxurious) segment. Built alongside the Karma on the production line the Surf uses the same platform and engine as its sedan counterpart and will go on sale mid 2012 said Fisker during the press conference.

So if you’re in the market for a 402-hp hybrid that can travel emissions free for up to 50 miles, plus you’ve got kids and a dog, Fisker has your wagon.

GALLERY: Fisker Surf

Hyundai has released a single photo of the new Elantra Touring model head of its official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month. The Korean automaker will reveal the car under its European badge, the i30.

Now sharing the brand’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language, the Elantra Touring also gets a hexagonal shaped front grille to help bring it closer to the rest of the Hyundai lineup.

When it does make its way to North America, power is expected to come from the same 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine found under the hood of the Elantra sedan, making 148-hp and achieving a 40-mpg highway rating.

The previous generation Elantra Touring never really caught on in North America, despite generally good things said by the automotive media. The addition of this more stylish, yet functional 5-door hatchback will, however, give Hyundai a product to offer against the new Ford Focus hatchback, competing in what seems to be a re-emerging segment.

Well, there’s good indication that it will at least be heading for ‘South’ America, where automotive tastes tend to run more closely to those across the Atlantic.

The B-Max adopts much of the current Fiesta’s styling, albeit in a taller package. It’s also the first to receive Ford‘s new three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. And with Ford recently announcing the EcoBoost 3 will be offered in North America, it’s not hard to speculate that this is the package it could come wrapped in.

Both engine and B-Max will be assembled at Ford’s plant in Craiova, Romania, though with Ford expected to wind down Fiesta production at its Brazilian plant in Cuantitalan (relying instead on models built in Mexico for that market), there’s a good chance B-Max production might be added there. That would make the idea of a B-Max ending up in our showrooms more feasible.

Further indications that this pint-size MPV could make it here, include the fact that Ford has trademarked the B-Max name with the U.S. Patent Office, along with ‘Easy Access Door System,’ marketing speak for a sliding door setup which, incidentily, was previewed on the B-MAX concept at the Geneva Motor Show back in March. All we can say for now is, watch this space.

[Source: Ford Inside News]

After first introducing the Prius v at the Detroit Auto Show in January, Toyota has now released complete specifications on the new hybrid wagon with one important change; the car’s fuel economy. Back at Detroit, execs said they expected the car to achieve a 42/38-mpg (city/highway) fuel economy rating with a combined 40-mpg number. Toyota has since upped that for the production model by 2-mpg across the board, meaning it is now rated at 44/40-mpg for an average fuel economy rating of 42-mpg.

Apart from cars like the fully-electric Nissan Leaf or the Chevy Volt, the Prius v ranks just behind the new 2012 Civic Hybrid (44-mpg combined) and the original Prius (50-mpg combined) and is tied with the Lexus CT200h.

Pricing has yet to be released but Toyota has said the Prius v will retail for a few thousand above the normal Prius liftback model, which starts at $24,520. Despite reports that is has been delayed, the Prius v will hit dealers this Fall.

GALLERY: 2012 Toyota Prius v

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Toyota Prius v Review and hit the jump to watch our video review:

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Would you believe that the Volvo XC70 and S80 have received a facelift for 2012? Well, looking at the photos we’re not sure we would either. With styling cues so imperceptibly tweaked, Volvo insists the cars actually have new headlights. Plus, they get some new color options.

Inside the changes are more dramatic, with both vehicles getting Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system, currently on offer int he S60. It’s hardly the most user-friendly setup on the market, but it does allow for operation of everything from audio, to nav to Bluetooth and lets you control the City Safety, Collision Warning and Active Cruise Control.

City Safety is now standard on both models, plus Pedestrian Detection is also included that will warn you if the vehicle thinks a collision is about to occur.

Browse through the galleries below and see if you can spot how the 2012 models differ from the 2011s. OK, maybe skip those pics, but definitely check out the new interiors!

GALLERY: 2012 Volvo S80

GALLERY: 2012 Volvo XC70

The Lincoln Town Car is legendary for its ubiquity as a “black car”, a private limo for the well-to-do in New York City and other swanky locales. But with the Panther Platform vehicles (like the Town Car, Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis) set to be killed off very shortly, Lincoln has been scrambling for an alternative.

The new MKT Town Car is a very different machine than the Town Car its replacing. The big sedan was a rear-drive, body-on-frame vehicle that was beloved for its robust nature, cheap repair costs and the ability to go for untold miles without needing anything more than routine maintenance. On the other hand, the MKT is based on a front-drive chassis (though all-wheel-drive is available) and uses a modern V6 engine.

Operators will likely be skeptical that the MKT can handle the rigors of endless commuter duty through the pot-hole ridden pavement of Manhattan, so Lincoln has beefed up the chassis, brakes and other components to handle this task – and to provide a re-enforcements should clients wish to stretch the MKT by 10 feet, a capability built in to the Town Car from the factory. Wi-fi capability, a SYNC system and special rear seat pockets are maps and newspapers are further concessions made for the livery car market.

The rear seats have been moved back by 1.5 inches to allow for more leg room with reclining rear seats and controls for the front passenger chair, should back seat riders desire more leg room. With 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, the MKT also boasts more room for material objects than the Town Car, even if the old-money cachet of the outgoing vehicle isn’t quite the same.

Hit the jump for the official press release

Gallery: Lincoln MKT Town Car

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Volvo will strive to be the first to market with a diesel plug-in hybrid, debuting a near production ready V60 wagon at the Geneva Auto Show in March. The V6 Plug-in Hybrid will get a claimed 1.9 l/100 km says Volvo, which translates to an incredible 124-mpg.

Combining a 5-cylinder turbodiesel with 215-hp and 325 lb ft of torque with an electric motor, the gas engine will power the front wheels while the car will also include Volvo’s new ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive), to enable AWD with a 70-hp motor powering the rear wheels. A lithium-ion battery pack will be used to store energy and the car will use a 6-speed automatic transmission. In addition, it will be able to travel 50 km (31 miles) on pure electric power.

“This second-generation hybrid is the perfect choice for the uncompromising buyer who wants a superbly carbon dioxide-lean car packed with driving pleasure,” says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.  “In order to get true car enthusiasts to think green, you have to offer them the opportunity to drive with low carbon dioxide emissions without taking away the adrenaline rush that promotes genuine driving pleasure. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has all the traditional properties of a genuine sports wagon. What we’ve done is to spice it up with spearhead technology.”

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Geneva Auto Show Preview here.

Volvo enthusiasts and station wagons go together like peanut butter and jam. This desire for Volvo-wagons is especially strong in America, where the brand loyalists keep complaining about the lack of wagons, especially since it was announced awhile back that the sleek new V60 would not make it Stateside.

Not to worry, the new CEO of Volvo Stephen Jacoby has heard your pleas and is coming to your rescue. He has now hinted that the new V60 might come to the U.S.A. perhaps as an “enthusiast vehicle.”

But before you start celebrating the return of something like the old V70R, this new model will get its power boost via electricity. Yes, Volvo is well on its way to develop a hybrid gas-electric vehicle and this technology might premiere in the new V60.

Hopefully this should be enough to keep Volvo fans in Volvo showrooms.

[Source: SwedeSpeed via Autoblog]

Volvo‘s CEO Stefan Jacoby is calling for a new focus for Volvo, and wants to see the Swedish automaker abandon its position as a premium brand meant to compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

“Let’s ditch this talk about premium,” said Jacoby while speaking to Autocar magazine. “It sounds like a pricing strategy and it’s got an expensive ring to it. We need to focus on elegant Scandinavian simplicity, our own unique identity, and not copy our competitors.”

For years, Volvo has enjoyed its own cachet, particularly in the United States, where it became synonymous with upper-middle-class suburbia, but sales have fallen to the point where Jacboy is alarmed.

“We have lost ground in the US,” explained the Volvo chief exec. “We are at the bottom, looking up.”

[Source: Autocar]

Toss some cop car badging and a lightbar on pretty much anything and its instantly cool. Case in point, this Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI. OK, so we have a soft spot for Euro-wagons, but apart from that a Jetta wagon, and a diesel no less, isn’t going to win any popularity contests.

Volkswagen donated a total of four of these cars, with two going to the City of Chattanooga and two to the Hamilton County police departments. This is all part of a larger public relations stunt as VW is about to pump up the local economy in these regions when it opens its new manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. At the plant VW will build its New Midsize Sedan (NMS), which has been crafted specifically for the U.S. market and will replace the current Passat model here.

So watch out speed racers because this VW is on the case. And while you might be faster, you’ll eventually have to stop for gas long before the Jetta does, with a 700 mile range on a single tank of diesel.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI Police Cruiser

Official release after the jump:

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