NEW CARS

2027 Audi A6 Allroad Quattro Brings RS6 Attitude, Hybrid Power, and SUV-Shaming Capability

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For years, the Audi A6 Allroad occupied a curious niche—a wagon for buyers who wanted SUV capability without the visual bulk or driving compromises that often come with it. Now Audi has doubled down on that formula. The all-new 2026 A6 Allroad Quattro arrives with a dramatically wider stance, RS6-inspired bodywork, and, for the first time, a plug-in hybrid powertrain that promises nearly 60 miles of electric driving.

In a market obsessed with crossovers, Audi’s latest Allroad feels like a statement: maybe you don’t need an SUV after all.

RS6 Looks Without the RS6 Price Tag

The biggest visual change is impossible to miss. Audi has given the new Allroad the kind of muscular wide-body treatment that was once reserved exclusively for the fire-breathing RS6. The result is a wagon that looks considerably more planted and purposeful than the standard A6 Avant.

The widened fenders are paired with Allroad-specific rugged touches rather than outright performance cues. Up front, a honeycomb grille and gloss-black trim surround the air intakes, while discreet protective cladding runs along the lower body. At the rear, a diffuser-style bumper treatment and faux air outlets reinforce the tougher aesthetic.

For buyers who prefer elegance over contrast-heavy styling, Audi will also offer many of these exterior elements in matte silver chrome, accompanied by aluminum roof rails and bright-finished exhaust outlets.

The numbers tell the story. At 78.2 inches wide, the new Allroad is a substantial 4.4 inches wider than the standard A6 Avant and 3.3 inches broader than its predecessor. It looks every bit as substantial as many midsize luxury SUVs while sitting much lower to the ground.

More Than a Lifted Wagon

Audi is eager to emphasize that the Allroad isn’t simply an A6 Avant with taller springs. Beneath the bodywork sits a comprehensively reworked chassis designed specifically for the model’s dual-purpose mission.

Ride height starts 1.3 inches higher than a standard A6 Avant, and the available adaptive air suspension can vary ride height by up to 2.2 inches depending on conditions. Select Offroad mode and the suspension raises itself an additional 0.6 inch. Engage Lift mode, and it climbs another 0.8 inch to help clear rough terrain.

The system is equally concerned with on-road performance. Dynamic mode drops the body by 0.8 inch to improve stability and sharpen responses, while at speeds above 75 mph the car automatically lowers itself to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve efficiency.

Audi has also equipped the new Allroad with all-wheel steering. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn opposite the fronts by as much as five degrees, effectively shortening the wheelbase and reducing the turning circle by nearly three feet. At highway speeds, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the fronts for improved stability and smoother lane changes.

In theory, that should make the large wagon feel noticeably smaller around town while remaining composed during long-distance cruising.

Plug-In Hybrid Joins the Family

The biggest mechanical news sits under the hood.

For the first time in the Allroad’s history, Audi is offering a plug-in hybrid variant. The new e-hybrid combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total system output of 367 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

Power is supplied by a substantial 25.9-kWh battery pack, which Audi says can deliver up to 95 kilometers (59 miles) of electric-only range under the WLTP test cycle. Charging is relatively painless as well, with an 11-kW onboard charger capable of replenishing the battery in roughly two and a half hours.

Traditionalists—and frequent long-distance drivers—can still opt for Audi’s familiar 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel. Equipped with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, the diesel produces 299 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, while the electrical system can contribute an additional 24 horsepower when needed.

Both powertrains send power through Audi’s standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system and both reach a governed top speed of 155 mph.

The diesel remains the performance champion, sprinting from zero to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds, narrowly edging the plug-in hybrid. It’s also the more capable tow vehicle, rated to pull up to 5500 pounds compared with the hybrid’s 4400-pound limit.

A Rolling Technology Showcase

Inside, the A6 Allroad adopts the same digital-heavy cabin introduced in the latest A6 sedan and Avant.

A curved dashboard houses an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster alongside a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, while buyers can add a dedicated 10.9-inch display for the front passenger.

The technology extends beyond the cabin. Audi’s Digital Matrix LED headlights can project lane guidance and hazard warnings directly onto the road ahead, including alerts for slippery conditions. At the rear, second-generation OLED taillights can display warning graphics to following drivers.

Luxury buyers will find little missing from the options list. Four-zone climate control, acoustic side glass, a panoramic roof with variable shading, ventilated and massaging seats, and a sophisticated air-quality package are all available. Sustainable materials also play a larger role, including recycled-fiber trim options and linen-inspired interior surfaces.

Still a Wagon at Heart

Despite all the technology and electrification, practicality remains central to the Allroad formula.

The diesel version offers between 466 and 1,497 liters of cargo capacity, while the plug-in hybrid sacrifices some luggage room to accommodate its battery pack, providing between 404 and 1,423 liters.

Those figures still comfortably eclipse many luxury sedans and remain competitive with midsize premium SUVs.

That’s ultimately the appeal of the A6 Allroad. It delivers SUV-like versatility, genuine all-weather capability, and a commanding driving position without abandoning the dynamics, efficiency, and visual elegance that make wagons so appealing.

The Wagon Strikes Back

Audi’s timing couldn’t be more interesting. While much of the industry continues to chase crossover sales, the new A6 Allroad feels like a reminder that wagons remain one of the smartest automotive solutions ever created.

With RS6-inspired styling, sophisticated air suspension, available electrification, and enough cargo space to rival many SUVs, the latest Allroad may be the strongest argument yet against buying a crossover.

Orders open across Europe on June 18, with deliveries scheduled to begin this fall. Pricing in Germany starts at €77,250 for the V-6 TDI and €80,250 for the new plug-in hybrid.

And for buyers who still believe the perfect family vehicle should be low, long, and capable of tackling a mountain road on the way to a ski resort, Audi has built exactly that.

Source: Audi

CONCEPT CARS

BMW M3 EV Is Coming—and It Could Have More Than 1,000 HP

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For decades, the BMW M3 has been the benchmark sports sedan—the car that somehow managed to blend everyday usability with racetrack credibility better than almost anything else on four wheels. Soon, however, the M3 will enter uncharted territory. And if BMW’s latest concept is any indication, the future won’t arrive quietly.

Unveiled during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse isn’t officially called an M3. BMW describes it as “the announcement of a new design language for high-performance cars from the BMW M division,” but the message is unmistakable. This is the clearest preview yet of the all-electric performance sedan widely expected to arrive as the i3 M—or, depending on BMW’s final naming strategy, the electric M3.

Either way, Munich’s most famous sports sedan is preparing for a dramatic transformation.

An M Car for the Electric Age

Park the concept next to an E30 M3 and the connection becomes obvious. The proportions, the stance, and the intent all point toward the same destination, even if the car wears an electric identity that some traditionalists may never fully embrace.

The M Concept Neue Klasse evolves the shape first introduced by last year’s Vision Driving Experience concept, but this version looks significantly closer to production reality. The familiar Neue Klasse sedan silhouette remains intact, yet nearly every surface has been sharpened and exaggerated by BMW’s M division.

The front and rear fascias feature aggressively sculpted openings inspired by high-speed multihull racing yachts. Cube-shaped LED elements, known internally as “track lights,” replace conventional lighting signatures. Flared fenders dramatically widen the car’s footprint, while a prominent ducktail spoiler finishes the rear with unmistakable motorsport intent.

Finished in Monza Red metallic, the concept combines visual drama with lightweight materials. Natural-fiber components appear throughout the splitter, diffuser, hood vent, roof, and side aerodynamic elements. M Yellow lighting accents further reinforce the racing connection, while aerodynamically optimized mirrors and center-lock wheels complete the competition-inspired look.

The stance tells its own story. A wider track, lowered suspension, and noticeable negative camber suggest that BMW’s engineers are still obsessed with handling—even if the soundtrack now comes from electric motors rather than a straight-six.

Race-Car Interior, Road-Car Technology

Inside, the M Concept Neue Klasse shares much of its architecture with BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse models. The panoramic iDrive display stretches across the base of the windshield, while the minimalist dashboard layout reflects BMW’s next-generation design philosophy.

Everything else screams M.

Four deeply sculpted bucket seats trimmed in Merino leather feature integrated five-point harnesses. Structural components made from natural fibers remain visible throughout the cabin, emphasizing weight reduction and rigidity. A Nubuck-trimmed roll cage extends through the interior, matching the steering wheel and door panels.

The dashboard is wrapped in a black illuminated woven material, while red accents and bespoke controls distinguish the concept from its more mainstream Neue Klasse siblings. It feels less like a luxury sedan and more like a road-going touring car that somehow retained a license plate.

Four Motors, Four Digits of Horsepower

The real story lies underneath.

Power comes from BMW’s new four-motor M eDrive system, developed specifically for future high-performance electric M models and built upon the sixth-generation Neue Klasse architecture.

BMW isn’t revealing official output figures yet, but reports suggest the production car could generate anywhere between 710 and 1,014 horsepower. If accurate, even the least powerful version would comfortably eclipse today’s M3 Competition, while the upper end would place it firmly in supercar territory.

The concept’s reported torque figure—17,990 Nm—sounds almost absurd, though as with many EV concepts, that number likely represents wheel torque rather than a conventional engine-output measurement.

More important than the raw numbers is how BMW intends to deploy them.

The company says power management is handled by its new M Dynamic Performance Control system, operating through what BMW calls the “Heart of Joy” central computing platform. The setup continuously controls power delivery and braking at each individual wheel, promising unprecedented levels of agility, precision, and responsiveness.

In other words, BMW isn’t merely trying to build a fast electric sedan. It’s trying to build an electric M car that still behaves like an M car.

Bigger Battery, Faster Charging

Supporting all that performance is BMW’s new 800-volt electrical architecture and a battery pack exceeding 100 kWh in capacity.

The battery utilizes sixth-generation cylindrical cells developed specifically for M applications, allowing higher power delivery, improved thermal management, faster charging speeds, and greater driving range. BMW has also integrated the battery structure directly into the vehicle’s chassis, increasing rigidity and contributing to sharper handling characteristics.

It’s a familiar strategy among modern EVs, but one that becomes particularly important when attempting to make a heavy electric sedan feel as precise as a traditional sports car.

The End of the M3? Not Quite

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of BMW’s strategy is that the electric M3 won’t replace the gasoline version—at least not immediately.

Industry reports indicate BMW is simultaneously developing a next-generation combustion-powered M3 featuring a mild-hybrid inline-six engine. That car is expected to adopt Neue Klasse-inspired styling and technology while continuing to serve buyers who aren’t ready to leave internal combustion behind.

For the first time in the M3’s history, enthusiasts may soon have a choice between two fundamentally different interpretations of the same icon: one powered by a turbocharged straight-six and the other by four electric motors.

It’s a fascinating moment for BMW M. The company isn’t abandoning its past, but it’s clearly preparing for a future where performance is measured as much in software and electrical architecture as it is in displacement and boost pressure.

Whether enthusiasts ultimately accept the electric version as a true M3 remains to be seen. But based on what BMW showed at Le Mans, one thing is already clear: the most technologically ambitious M car ever built is getting ready to hit the road.

Source: BMW

NEW CARS

New Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and GLS 63 Debut with M177 EVO Power

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Just when it seemed every performance SUV was heading toward downsized engines and increasingly electrified futures, Mercedes-AMG has delivered a reminder that some traditions are worth fighting for.

Meet the heavily revised GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ and GLS 63 4MATIC+, two familiar high-performance SUVs that arrive carrying something increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape: a hand-built AMG V8. More importantly, that V8 isn’t merely surviving—it has been extensively reengineered to ensure it remains part of AMG’s future.

At the center of both SUVs sits the latest evolution of AMG’s legendary M177 engine, a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 now known internally as the M177 EVO. While output remains unchanged at 612 horsepower and 627 pound-feet (850 Nm) of torque, AMG engineers have performed a comprehensive overhaul beneath the aluminum skin.

The headline change is a new flat-plane crankshaft, a feature more commonly associated with exotic sports cars than luxury SUVs weighing well over two tons. The switch reduces rotating mass, sharpens throttle response, and allows the engine to spin more freely toward redline. AMG says the result is a more eager and responsive character while simultaneously helping the powertrain meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations around the globe.

That balancing act—preserving personality while satisfying regulators—has become one of the industry’s greatest engineering challenges. AMG’s answer includes revised intake and exhaust ports, an updated fuel-injection system, redesigned turbocharger components, and a significantly upgraded emissions-control package that now includes a particulate filter as standard worldwide.

The V8 is no longer working alone, either.

A 48-volt electrical architecture and second-generation integrated starter-generator contribute an additional 23 horsepower and 151 pound-feet (205 Nm) of temporary assistance. The mild-hybrid setup smooths stop-start operation, improves low-end response, and recovers energy during deceleration without diluting the combustion engine’s character.

And yes, performance remains suitably outrageous.

Mercedes-AMG claims the GLE 63 S reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds, while the larger GLS 63 follows closely behind at 4.2 seconds. Both are capable of a 174-mph (280-km/h) top speed.

For many AMG loyalists, however, the numbers are only half the story.

The soundtrack matters just as much.

To that end, AMG has developed an entirely new Performance Exhaust system complete with active valves. In Comfort mode, the V8 settles into a subdued rumble appropriate for school runs and highway cruising. Select Sport+ and the system unleashes the deeper, more aggressive voice buyers expect from an AMG flagship.

Visually, Mercedes has given both SUVs a stronger performance identity. A redesigned front fascia features a more prominent Panamericana-style grille, larger cooling intakes, and new AMG-specific lighting signatures. Around back, quad exhaust outlets and an aggressive diffuser leave little doubt about what powers these machines.

The hardware beneath the bodywork receives equally significant attention.

AMG Ride Control+ combines air suspension with adaptive dampers and can alter its personality dramatically depending on driver preference. The system lowers the vehicle by 10 millimeters during spirited driving to improve aerodynamics and stability, yet can also raise ride height for rough roads or light off-road excursions.

For drivers who somehow find themselves tackling trails in a 612-hp luxury SUV, a dedicated Trail mode increases ground clearance by up to 55 millimeters while recalibrating the suspension, all-wheel-drive system, and damping characteristics.

Body control is managed by AMG Active Ride Control, which uses electromechanical anti-roll bars on both axles. Sensors monitor vehicle movements up to 1,000 times per second, actively counteracting body roll and helping these large SUVs corner with surprising composure.

The permanent AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system remains fully variable, capable of distributing torque precisely where it’s needed. Working alongside an electronically controlled rear differential, the setup promises sharper turn-in, improved traction, and greater stability whether carving through mountain roads or navigating snow-covered highways.

Inside, the formula blends performance and luxury in typical AMG fashion.

Drivers are greeted by the latest AMG Performance steering wheel, available in Nappa leather, microfiber-trimmed MICROCUT, or carbon-fiber finishes. Premium leather upholstery options span everything from understated black to vibrant MANUFAKTUR shades such as yacht blue and carmine red, while carbon trim and microfiber headliners reinforce the sporting atmosphere.

Technology also takes a step forward thanks to Mercedes-Benz’s new MB.OS operating system. High-resolution displays provide AMG-specific performance data, including real-time torque distribution, G-force measurements, and detailed engine telemetry, transforming the digital cockpit into a rolling performance command center.

Perhaps the most telling aspect of these updated SUVs isn’t any single specification, however. It’s the philosophy they represent.

In an era when performance increasingly arrives through batteries, software, and synthetic soundtracks, Mercedes-AMG has chosen to invest heavily in preserving one of its defining characteristics: a powerful twin-turbocharged V8.

The GLE 63 S and GLS 63 may be luxury family haulers on paper, but their existence sends a broader message. AMG believes there is still room in the future for eight cylinders, real exhaust notes, and the kind of mechanical drama that helped build the brand’s reputation in the first place.

For enthusiasts, that’s probably the most important number of all.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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