These are the clearest pictures yet of the forthcoming Audi S6 super saloon, caught undergoing final testing in America ahead of its debut later this year.

With no secretive cladding to deter prying eyes, the identity of the Californian-plated car is revealed by a subtly lower front bumper, extended side skirts and small boot spoiler. Finishing off the look are 19-inch alloy wheels and the quad exhaust set-up, traditionally the preserve of fast Audis.

Under the hood, the naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 unit employed in the outgoing S6 has been replaced with an all-new single turbo 4.0-liter V8, also earmarked for the new Bentley Continental GT.

Power output is expected to be around 450bhp – an increase of roughly 20bhp over the old model – which will be fed through all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. A 550bhp twin-turbo version is expected to be unleashed in the full-fat RS version at a later date.

The new Audi S6 is due to bow in Frankfurt later this year, with sales starting early in 2012.



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