2015 Audi RS6 Refreshed Super Wagon in Paris

In one of his most recent interviews Audi of America president Scott Keogh said his favorite German machine is the RS6, a model which he can’t own or sell to other customers in the US. That’s high praise from a top official, so when we noticed an RS6 facelift model on show in Paris, we knew we had to take a second look.

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In one of his most recent interviews Audi of America president Scott Keogh said his favorite German machine is the RS6, a model which he can’t own or sell to other customers in the US. That’s high praise from a top official, so when we noticed an RS6 facelift model on show in Paris, we knew we had to take a second look.

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The RS6 is a performance flagship of the A6 range and boasts similar acceleration numbers to an R8 V10. Just like the rest of A6 family, it has received cosmetic updates for the 2015 model year which affect mainly the headlights and taillights of the vehicle.

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The biggest change is at the front, where the wave pattern in the headlight unit is replaced by double white lines. The famous Matrix LED technology from the A8 has been adapted for use in the RS6. It works by dimming individual light beams in order not to blind oncoming traffic while giving you maximum visibility.

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If we were to be all metaphorical about it, what Audi has done is to take its heavy hammer and add a bit of end to make it into a halberd. Perhaps that’s a stretch of the imagination on our part, but then so is a wagon like this.

In the absence of the much-rumored RS6 Plus model, the output of the 4.0 TFSI engine remains limited to “only” 560 horsepower. Available only with n eight-speed auto and quattro all-wheel drive, this propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 305 km/h (189.5 mph) on models that have been unrestricted.

The only major change brought about under the bonnet is that fuel consumption has been lowered from 9.8 liters per 100 kilometers down to just 9.6 seconds, this being partly due to the new EU6 regulations that are coming into affect.

Prices in Germany start at €108,900, making this one of the most expensive Audis you can buy. However, the equivalent Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG with 4Matic starts at €121,380, so the RS6 isn’t that bad.

The beautiful Misano Red Pearl RS6 we saw in Paris is by no means standard. In fact Audi has thrown a couple of tens of thousands of euros in options, including a variety of carbon fiber spoilers, skirts and diffusers. Expensive, but stunning!

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[via Autoevolution.com]

2015 Yamaha XJR1300 And XJR1300 Racer Announced For Intermot

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In a time where air-cooled icons like Harley-Davidson, Indian, BMW‘s boxer engine and the Ducati Monster have all embraced the radiator, it’s a bit surprising to know Yamaha is still offering the XJR1300 in Europe. Featuring the world’s largest-displacement air-cooled Inline-Four engine in production, the XJR1300 lives on in 2015 with a new custom-inspired look and a cafe racer variant.

The 2015 XJR1300 was inspired by a custom from builder Keino called “Rhapsody in Blue” as part of Yamaha’s Yard Built program. Yamaha incorporated custom design elements into the XJR1300, much like it did for the Star Bolt.
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The slim 3.8-gallon fuel tank accentuates the XJR1300′s fuel-injected 1251cc I-4. Carrying an extra 111cc over its obvious competitor, the Honda CB1100, the XJR1300 is powered by a fuel-injected 1251cc I-4 claiming 96.4 hp at 8000 rpm and 80.0 ft-lb. at 6000 rpm. A matte black 4-2-1 exhaust pipe flows from the front of the cylinders to the muffler which extends below the XJR’s new stubby tail.

The chassis is comprised of a steel double cradle frame. The XJR1300 uses a telescopic fork with diamond-like carbon-coated inner tubes offering 5.1-inches of travel and Ohlins dual rear shocks with 4.7-inches of give.

Custom elements include the racing plate-style aluminum side covers with mesh inserts, tapered aluminum handlebars, compact headlight and stitched seat.IMG_6912.JPG
The XJR1300 Racer is a based on the Yard Built custom by Deus Ex Machina called “Eau Rouge“. The special edition model is a cafe racer variant made with parts from Yamaha’s parts and accessories catalog.

The Racer adds a carbon fiber fairing, a short carbon front fender and clip-on handlebars to deliver a ’70s-inspired cafe racer look. Other additions include an aluminum front fender stay and a carbon cover for the passenger seat.

Both the XJR1300 and the Racer variant will be available in three color choices: Power Blue, Matt Grey and Midnight Black. Yamaha will officially present the 2015 XJR1300 at the Intermot show in Cologne before delivering it to European showrooms in December.

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There’s no word of any plans for a U.S. release. The 2014 XJR1300 was only available in Europe and there’s little sign of that changing for 2015. But with Honda’s CB1100 striking the right chords with customers, the Tuning Fork company may decide to bring the XJR1300 over.

[Source: Yamaha]

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