Letter to AoA for review

[Stephencl]

Folks,

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I would be sending a letter to AoA. Below is a draft for this correspondence. It has a somewhat terse tone on purpose..to be candid, I am pissed. Please PM me with your constructive comments..not looking for a ton of wordsmithing, but constructive thoughts that could add value.

Also, Erik please let me know if we are out of line, or if you don't want the RS6.com name in the letter.

My goal is to deliver this in person at there AoA headquarters here in Herndon.

************************************************** ************************************************** *******

December 5th, 2012
Dear AoA,
It was with baited breath that each of us here in the United States and Canada read the introduction of the new 2014 RS6 Avant to the world (article dated December 4th, 2012 and attached for reference). It would appear from follow on responses supplied to the press, once again, the North American market is being left in the cold.
We the following, represent the forgotten RS6 ownership here in North America. Only delivered in 2003, and subsequently 2004 in Canada, many of us have been faithful RS6 owners either from new, or from close to new. Some of us have owned two or three of them, over the last 10 years.
We are the heart and soul of twin turbo - eight cylinder Audi ownership. We were the first with DRC, we were the first with massively oversized eight piston brakes, we were the first with ZF transmissions not quite up to the task to take on the massive torque delivered by these wonderful vehicles. We lived with EGT sensors that required the removal of the block to change. We ARE the RS pioneers! And yes, we all still own and love them.
For the last 10 years……we have waited. We have waited with the hope that Audi of America will listen to its customer base. Waited with the hope that AoA would read our emails, answer our many phone calls, and finally we have waited for AoA to do the ‘right thing’.
We want, we need, no we deserve the 2014 RS6. Furthermore, we need the Avant! Now that Mercedes had announced the 2014 E63 AMG 4matic Wagon will be delivered to the US, there are many of us that will leave Audi in favor of the Stuttgart brand. Not out of choice, but out of necessity. Wagons are regaining popularity in this country following a mulit year dip. Having both the E63 AMG wagon, and the Cadillac CTS-V wagon available here, the Sport Wagon has started to gain momentum. Audi needs to bring the RS6 here to compete.
Don’t forget, we are the same market segment that buys the S8 for our date night car, and the A4, or a TT for our kids when they go off to college. There are MANY of us signed below that own 2 or more late model Audi’s, and when we switch to buy the E63AMG 4matic wagon, we will switch for everything.
If AoA’s opinion is that there is not a market for the RS6 here in the US, we would conclude that you have failed to truly understand your market. In fact, with the recent rise in popularity of Audi across North America, you are missing the chance to DEFINE a market. Isn't that what your billboard at Dulles Airport refers to...the brave thinkers that brought AoA to Washington DC?
The question that each of us here is asking….are you listening?
With over a hundred registered email addresses as signatures below, we implore you to reconsider, and bring the RS6 to the US. Most of us wait with our checkbooks in hand, ready to sign for an upcoming allocation.
Don’t let your greatest legacy in RS history be tarnished with the thought of ‘what if’ we had brought the RS6 Avant to the US?
We eagerly await your response, and your willingness to get behind us…your customer!

Warm regards,

The RS6.com Users Group

[Aronis]

Brought a tear to my eyes!

Mike

[chewym]

I think that Audi should have made an RS6 sedan as well and sold that here in the states along with the RS7 but an RS6 Avant is practically impossible. There is no A6 Avant at all. Because Audi gave up on the idea of an A6 Avant because of its sales. Here are some sad facts about Avants in America.

Last November Audi sold only 228 A4 Avants out of a total of 2,501 A4s for 9% Avant take rate.

This November Audi sold 437 A4 based allroads out of a total of 3,343 for 13% allroad take rate.

There is no way that Audi dealers in the US would agree to sell $100,000+ RS6 Avants and have them gather dust.

And to paint a clearer picture, in the same price range as a future RS6 Audi sold 12% of its total A8 line as an S8 which works out to be 65 S8 in November out of 541 total A8. I don't want to do the math on potential RS6 Avant sales.

[QuattroRS]

Given the costs needed to DOT the new RS6 avant. I really doubt anything we say or do will point AoA in that direction.

Yes, its a great idea to shoot for the top and see what happens but open up the train of thought to include ANY "S" model avant.

For example. AoA have already slated the S6 and S7 sedans. Making for a long lineup of S model sedans that are already DOT certified. It would not take much effort to include one of the avant models of the above sedans and we would be golden.

I would write a $10,000 dollar deposit check tomorrow for any of the following models.

S4 avant
S6 avant
RS6 avant

That said, look what it took to get the TTRS over to the US. A massive Facebook effort with lots of customer driven response.

I say start the Facebook effort to include all the S line avants and chances are we would get one of them.

As a final note, I have driven the CTSV wagon and its a fine piece. Audi is missing the mark as the performance wagon segment is growing.

AoA my S and RS are getting long in the tooth. Please bring over a S line avant soon.

[QuattroRS]

Also as a price point for the current market. The S6 avant would stack up nicely against the CTSV wagon. V8tt vs V8sc

[Primo]

I wish you the best of luck guys, hope you get what you desire! :)

[Stephencl]

I think that Audi should have made an RS6 sedan as well and sold that here in the states along with the RS7 but an RS6 Avant is practically impossible. There is no A6 Avant at all. Because Audi gave up on the idea of an A6 Avant because of its sales. Here are some sad facts about Avants in America.Last November Audi sold only 228 A4 Avants out of a total of 2,501 A4s for 9% Avant take rate.This November Audi sold 437 A4 based allroads out of a total of 3,343 for 13% allroad take rate. There is no way that Audi dealers in the US would agree to sell $100,000+ RS6 Avants and have them gather dust.And to paint a clearer picture, in the same price range as a future RS6 Audi sold 12% of its total A8 line as an S8 which works out to be 65 S8 in November out of 541 total A8. I don't want to do the math on potential RS6 Avant sales.No offense, but you are not looking at this in the correct light. Its not about how many A4 Avants, or Allroads have been sold as a percentage of total units. That's like saying Porsche shouldn't build a 911 Turbo because all the buyers bought boxsters. The RS6 would be a limited production run car, similar to the tttrs and RS5. Have you tried to find one of those? They are gone, and were sold in limited quantities. Again, I think AoA is missing the point here. 10 years ago there was no other 4 wheel drive twin turbo v8 full size sedan capable of 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. We now have options. And we have wagon options to boot.

[chewym]

No offense, but you are not looking at this in the correct light. Its not about how many A4 Avants, or Allroads have been sold as a percentage of total units. That's like saying Porsche shouldn't build a 911 Turbo because all the buyers bought boxsters. The RS6 would be a limited production run car, similar to the tttrs and RS5. Have you tried to find one of those? They are gone, and were sold in limited quantities. Again, I think AoA is missing the point here. 10 years ago there was no other 4 wheel drive twin turbo v8 full size sedan capable of 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. We now have options. And we have wagon options to boot.

Read what Qisha has said before, read what guys at Fourtitude say when they talk to AoA execs about this kind of stuff. Here is a direct link to Qisha's post. The amount of A4s, allroads, A6 Avants in the past is completely relevant as it shows the level of interest in America to products that look like wagons.

http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php/24734-The-next-Audi-RS6-(2013-14)?p=241141&viewfull=1#post241141

Here is the chain of command; quattro Gmbh asks the regions what they want, the regions decide on what they want based on what they and their dealers know they can sell. Clearly AoA decided that they can't sell 1,000 RS6 sedans or 500 RS6 Avants in a timely and reasonably priced way. The best they could do was a certain amount of RS7s. At best AoA should have an explanation for their thinking in their response but I am thinking it would sounds quite similar to what I just wrote.

[Brav]

The "average" Audi buyer, who would consider a sedan or avant, is NOT the typical Audi RS enthusiast. I would venture to say that there are 2 to 3 times more desire to have an RS model in an avant, for ACTUAL POTENTIAL RS BUYERS. They are in two different market segments. RS wagons are nearly cult cars from the time they are new.

As beautiful, refined, efficient and powerful as the latest RS6 is, I think they would have no problem selling 1000 units a year, if not more. Personally I am on the fence between Avant or Sedan for the RS, but I would take either when the time came.

At this point I really doubt it has anything to do with DOT or EPA. That cost is still quite small in the big picture. Per Quisha's post, its about demand coming from the bottom up. Customer > dealer > regional reps > AoA. If enough dealers received enough demand/deposits for it and the GMs actually starting asking for units, it would probably happen.

I think the letter is good, overall. Its a personalized, heartfelt conveyance from a true customer. The only thing I would change is this line "We want, we need, no we deserve the 2014 RS6." to just "We want and deserve.."

[QuattroRS]

There lies the error in AoA thinking.

How many of us are drawn to the following vehicles.

A4 avant
A6 avant
allroad avant

I would venture to say nearly all of us would simply walk away and not take a second glance.

Now, line up the following vehicles

S4 avant
S6 avant
RS6 avant

Now, how many takers do we have for these three? I got a $10000 dollar deposit on my desk for any one of those three vehicles. I will also pay 98% of list price and finance with Audi credit for the balance. AoA do you want 800 score customers lining up at your door to apply for Audi credit?

End of rant. AoA simply does not get it. I see Aronis has purchased an A8L with the tt engine and loves it and another old member purchased a RS5 so the news is good on those fronts but I guess AoA is blind to the performance wagon segment. I may go drive one of those TT/RSs to get a feel as the A8L or RS5 are too much like my RS6.


Read what Qisha has said before, read what guys at Fourtitude say when they talk to AoA execs about this kind of stuff. Here is a direct link to Qisha's post. The amount of A4s, allroads, A6 Avants in the past is completely relevant as it shows the level of interest in America to products that look like wagons.

http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php/24734-The-next-Audi-RS6-(2013-14)?p=241141&viewfull=1#post241141

Here is the chain of command; quattro Gmbh asks the regions what they want, the regions decide on what they want based on what they and their dealers know they can sell. Clearly AoA decided that they can't sell 1,000 RS6 sedans or 500 RS6 Avants in a timely and reasonably priced way. The best they could do was a certain amount of RS7s. At best AoA should have an explanation for their thinking in their response but I am thinking it would sounds quite similar to what I just wrote.

[mrdave]

Something really bothers me about begging a company to take my money. If they want my business, bring the damn car here. If they don't want my business, then I'll give my money to someone who does.

[chewym]

The problem with that thinking is that this forum is good for what, maybe 10 RS6 Avants sold? Like you mentioned, about 3 of the newest Audi performance products are owned by members of this forum, the rest of RS5/S6/S7/S8 are not. Audi can't live off internet forums. I just don't believe that Audi's 250+ dealerships are owned by total morons who can't get a feel for how much of a 100,000 dollar product they can sell or can't hire someone who can figure it out for them.

The real question is how/what Mercedes does to bring such unwanted products (by the general public) like the R63 AMG. AoA probably knows but can't afford such shenanigans.

[Qisha]

Dear Friends,

i would recommend to add the following in some sort:

- make sure to point out there is no interesst in buying the upcoming Audi RS 7 (add reasons)

- ask for a way to have a look at the Audi RS 6 Avant, like on a national car show and/or R/S/RS customer event/s

- send a copy to both the Audi Headquarters Germany and the quattro GmbH (i will provide contact details)

- use Facebook, Audi Pages etc.

Pictures do not reflect the muscularity the Audi RS 6 Avant carries nor do they live up to that feeling you get being face to face. You havent seen the eye candy yet... the Daytonagrey matt with Carbon exterior package is a stunner. :hihi:

DOT and EPA are both not a problem as the Audi RS 7 is already going through the procedures and the Audi RS 6 Avant is sharing the platform. :)

PS: the Audi RS 6 Avant is exactly 31mm per side wider than the Audi S6... reading about worries concerning the wheel arches, they do look pretty hot in real life... :0:

Qisha

[Stephencl]

The problem with that thinking is that this forum is good for what, maybe 10 RS6 Avants sold? Like you mentioned, about 3 of the newest Audi performance products are owned by members of this forum, the rest of RS5/S6/S7/S8 are not. Audi can't live off internet forums. I just don't believe that Audi's 250+ dealerships are owned by total morons who can't get a feel for how much of a 100,000 dollar product they can sell or can't hire someone who can figure it out for them.

The real question is how/what Mercedes does to bring such unwanted products (by the general public) like the R63 AMG. AoA probably knows but can't afford such shenanigans.


Wow....not sure what planet your from...there are well over 200 active current RS6 owners on this site, not to mention hundreds of non RS6 owners that have an active voice. I personally received over 40 PM's the last time when I started this thread, I am confident that there are at least 25 - 30 orders here alone..

As far as the dealer network is concerned, yes you nailed it, they are run by complete morons who are far more concerned with numbers of SKU's sold rather than the enthusiast base that supports the brand. If you think for a minute that the rise of Audi popularity is because the A4 is a great family car, you fit right in with the dealer network. Audi's popularity has sky rocketed because of 3 main factors. 1) Success in motorsport. Winning Leman's over and over again gets customers thinking about the benefits of trickle down technology. 2) Audi started importing RS models. Starting with the RS6, then the RS4 etc, etc, the enthusiasts drive and promote significant amounts of word of mouth referral.. For example, when I moved into my little group of houses, I had the only Audi's. (2) I rave about the RS. My neighbors listen to the burbling sounds it makes as it goes by. In the last 4 years, all of my surrounding 4 neighbors have bought AUDI's. This NEVER happens without me driving my RS6. NEVER. 3) AUDI started building reliable products. Maserati still hasnt taken hold in the US because they cant get quality right. They make a beautiful car with a Ferrari heart, but the cars still spend WAY too much time in the shop with mega repair bills for cars out of warranty. (ask me how I know this one :))

Again, I am not sure of what your angle is. But the bottom line is if we dont try, it will never come. It is the way it works...it worked for the TTRS and it sold out before any of them ever hit the showroom floor. Same with the RS5. It can happen with the RS6 as well.

Stephen

[Stephencl]

Qisha,

Thank you. I will add appropriate content as suggested above. Please feel free to PM me with contact details.

Warm regards,

Stephen

[amanda]

Wow....not sure what planet your from...there are well over 200 active current RS6 owners on this site, not to mention hundreds of non RS6 owners that have an active voice. I personally received over 40 PM's the last time when I started this thread, I am confident that there are at least 25 - 30 orders here alone..

As far as the dealer network is concerned, yes you nailed it, they are run by complete morons who are far more concerned with numbers of SKU's sold rather than the enthusiast base that supports the brand. If you think for a minute that the rise of Audi popularity is because the A4 is a great family car, you fit right in with the dealer network. Audi's popularity has sky rocketed because of 3 main factors. 1) Success in motorsport. Winning Leman's over and over again gets customers thinking about the benefits of trickle down technology. 2) Audi started importing RS models. Starting with the RS6, then the RS4 etc, etc, the enthusiasts drive and promote significant amounts of word of mouth referral.. For example, when I moved into my little group of houses, I had the only Audi's. (2) I rave about the RS. My neighbors listen to the burbling sounds it makes as it goes by. In the last 4 years, all of my surrounding 4 neighbors have bought AUDI's. This NEVER happens without me driving my RS6. NEVER. 3) AUDI started building reliable products. Maserati still hasnt taken hold in the US because they cant get quality right. They make a beautiful car with a Ferrari heart, but the cars still spend WAY too much time in the shop with mega repair bills for cars out of warranty. (ask me how I know this one :))

Again, I am not sure of what your angle is. But the bottom line is if we dont try, it will never come. It is the way it works...it worked for the TTRS and it sold out before any of them ever hit the showroom floor. Same with the RS5. It can happen with the RS6 as well.

Stephen

Good Luck Stephen as I have everything crossed for you boys as I hope you get what we over here are expecting as standard as you deserve it too

[bmwade]

I basically agree with everything (constructive) that other people have said. I especially think that you need to mention that while the RS7 is a fine car, none of us will be snookered into buying it just cause we didn't get our Avant. I'm wagering they are thinking they can get a large number of us to take RS7's as a consolation prize. I'm not willing to pay new car money for a car I don't really want. Maybe in +5 years I'll pick one up used, but wouldn't consider it new. Also maybe mention that the Avant is the legacy of Audi, the first 2 cars to carry the RS badger were Avant's. Audi created the segment and yet they refuse to give us the pure Audi legacy cars. I'm currently working on a plan to clone a C6 if this whole thing falls through.

on another note, the sales of A4's and these cute little allroads they are pushing on us have nothing to do with the RS brand. It's actually the opposite. If they had a big FAST Avant here in the states then it would help sell A4's because every time someone with ~40k budget saw an RS6 they would think "wow, I could get an A4 s-line and add some APR parts and new rims and be just like that." But as is they have nothing to inspire people want an A4 other than absolute necessity! I promise if they bring the RS6 with a big marketing campaign it will nearly double A4 Avant sales.

[Spidercat]

Thanks again for doing this, Stephen! Add my name, please.
BTW, Line 15: I think you mean "multi-year dip," no?

Thanks, Qisha! It's nice too have you in our corner to maximize results.
I agree with bmwade wholeheartedly. From personal experience, the only reason we bought a brand-new A4 avant in 2003 was because we were in the showroom asking about the RS6 (which they actually didn't have, btw). My wife really liked the A4, so we left with it. No doubt the lure of the RS6 made that sale.

[QuattroRS]

Stephen,

Could it be that we all want to be like you? Just kidding but your neighbors story is really how it works. I think there was a movie about that family that was planted in the rich neighborhood and so on.

Audi's have become cool in the culture. Say its the motorsport or the German engineering but people notice them, they are comfortable, reliable and sneaky fast even in the base models.

That being said, you still dont sell A8L's, S8's, S7's and so on to uneducated population. After riding in my RS6 over the years and years of trouble free miles and a certain R8 V10 test drive in the mountains. My wife simply stated "sell my xyz $80k pos that always sits in the shop and buy me an A8L or a sport tuned wagon" Period and end of story. That never happens if she didnt ride in my RS6 over the years and ride in the R8 V10. Never ever. So there is much to be said about Stephen and his stories.




As far as the dealer network is concerned, yes you nailed it, they are run by complete morons who are far more concerned with numbers of SKU's sold rather than the enthusiast base that supports the brand. If you think for a minute that the rise of Audi popularity is because the A4 is a great family car, you fit right in with the dealer network. Audi's popularity has sky rocketed because of 3 main factors. 1) Success in motorsport. Winning Leman's over and over again gets customers thinking about the benefits of trickle down technology. 2) Audi started importing RS models. Starting with the RS6, then the RS4 etc, etc, the enthusiasts drive and promote significant amounts of word of mouth referral.. For example, when I moved into my little group of houses, I had the only Audi's. (2) I rave about the RS. My neighbors listen to the burbling sounds it makes as it goes by. In the last 4 years, all of my surrounding 4 neighbors have bought AUDI's. This NEVER happens without me driving my RS6. NEVER. 3) AUDI started building reliable products. Maserati still hasnt taken hold in the US because they cant get quality right. They make a beautiful car with a Ferrari heart, but the cars still spend WAY too much time in the shop with mega repair bills for cars out of warranty. (ask me how I know this one :))

Again, I am not sure of what your angle is. But the bottom line is if we dont try, it will never come. It is the way it works...it worked for the TTRS and it sold out before any of them ever hit the showroom floor. Same with the RS5. It can happen with the RS6 as well.

Stephen

[chewym]

Again, I am not sure of what your angle is. But the bottom line is if we dont try, it will never come. It is the way it works...it worked for the TTRS and it sold out before any of them ever hit the showroom floor. Same with the RS5. It can happen with the RS6 as well.

Stephen

I am not against the letter at all, I just don't think there is any chance for the Avant for the reasons I have stated, but for the RS6 sedan there might be. AoA should be getting a good read on potential sales with S6 vs. S7 sales.

[The RS6]

I'm gonna jump in the thread with a perhaps silly question, but is there a plan by Audi to make an RS6 sedan at all?

Could be an RS4 Avant/RS5 story copied to RS6 Avant/RS7.

[Qisha]

Qisha,

Thank you. I will add appropriate content as suggested above. Please feel free to PM me with contact details.

Warm regards,

Stephen

Dear Stephen,

another note:

i would recommend to ask for a online survey, like the one for the Audi TT RS. The more potential interest is shown, AoA will start to recalculate.

The two person in charge to address your questions and suggestions are:

Mark Dahncke
Audi of America Communications
Phone: +1 703 364 7414
E-Mail: Mark.Dahncke@AUDI.COM

John Schilling
Audi of America Communications
Phone: +1 703 364 7345
E-Mail: John.Schilling@AUDI.COM

Personally i would advise you giving either one a call, the more the better. :0:

I agree, it is not necessarily the customers responsibility to make AoA reconsider its long-term business plan. But sometimes sales alone do not reflect the true interest for different reasons. If the US Audi Dealerships miss to point out interest for a specific product to AoA, the marketing counts numbers in first place. I dont say there are no direct inquiries, but too few and far between. How come? I can only speculate...

Qisha

[Primo]

I hope this gives you motivation to continue the "fight"!

http://www.audi.se/se/brand/sv/models/a6/rs-6-avant.html

[RXBG]

call me crazy but i'd like to see the RS7 before i'd make the decision to buy an RS6.

[CornersWell]

I have been advised that MB will be bringing an E63 Estate 4matic in 2014. If GMBH doesn't get it's act together and bring products I/we want, then vaya con dios Audi...

Simple as that. I'm sick of having to lobby to get them to bring their best cars to the US. I would go buy a Ferrari FF today, but for how hideously ugly the thing is.

CW

[QuattroRS]

Well then, I think we should stop bit#hing on the forum and start some action.

1. Contact the AoA managers above.

2. Contact your local Audi dealer. Talk to the General Manager. Leave your contact information for the purchase of a S6 Avant,S4 Avant or RS6 Avant. Take a photo copy of a 15,000 deposit to order any of the above mentioned vehicles.

3. Start a Facebook posting campaign to generate the buzz on Audi's FB site.

If we really want this it can happen. How many of you are willing to drive down to your Audi dealer and speak with the GM? That is where the rubber meets the road on this deal.

I dont give a rats a$$ about some A4 Allroad Avant. I wouldnt even test drive that nasty looking contraption.

[quattrogeek]

Guys...i feel your pain. I have owned several Audi's over the years. I am currently considering picking up a used rs4. I currently own a RUF Porsche 997 turbo chassis, golf r, and range rover full size supercharged autobiography. Had the rs3 been made available for purchase in North America, that golf r would have never found its way into my garage. The RUF is a 250k car brand new. The range is 139k brand new. They are both very very good cars...in fact i would argue they are amongst the best cars available for purchase anywhere. I will replace my range rover should Audi bring the RS6 avant. Note one cavaet, i will not purchase an rs7 or s8....the appeal is not the same for me. They are not special enough for me to part with the big range. The rs6 avant carries with it a cult status just as the rs2 and b5 rs4 did. This is a big part of the appeal for me. Its a special car. It has meaning. It is rare and it has incredible performance for a people carrier. These are the primary reasons for me to want one.

I reckon the demographic for customers looking at purchasing the rs6 avant is as follows...we own at least 3 cars, some of them very special and we have the means to replace one or two with an RS avant with little difficulty. Really surprised AOA is so out of touch with who actually buys special models such as an rs6 avant.

[QuattroRS]

Yep. I have 6 cars as well. Most of them over 500hp


Guys...i feel your pain. I have owned several Audi's over the years. I am currently considering picking up a used rs4. I currently own a RUF Porsche 997 turbo chassis, golf r, and range rover full size supercharged autobiography. Had the rs3 been made available for purchase in North America, that golf r would have never found its way into my garage. The RUF is a 250k car brand new. The range is 139k brand new. They are both very very good cars...in fact i would argue they are amongst the best cars available for purchase anywhere. I will replace my range rover should Audi bring the RS6 avant. Note one cavaet, i will not purchase an rs7 or s8....the appeal is not the same for me. They are not special enough for me to part with the big range. The rs6 avant carries with it a cult status just as the rs2 and b5 rs4 did. This is a big part of the appeal for me. Its a special car. It has meaning. It is rare and it has incredible performance for a people carrier. These are the primary reasons for me to want one.

I reckon the demographic for customers looking at purchasing the rs6 avant is as follows...we own at least 3 cars, some of them very special and we have the means to replace one or two with an RS avant with little difficulty. Really surprised AOA is so out of touch with who actually buys special models such as an rs6 avant.

[audi_ch]

Well if us costumers could afford euro prices in general, maybee Audi would think about it.
But imagine a rs6 with 170 tausend usd... ( well i imagine the car would hardly be sold in the us)
maybe thats as well a Problem for Audi as long production is just around 6000 cars ( Last rs6 c6, i think)

the Production numbers for AMG or m cars are mutch higher, so i guess they can afford low us prices with high number production

[bmwade]

Yep. I have 6 cars as well. Most of them over 500hp

Only 2 here: my RS6 and I recently picked up an H2 SUT. I would part with both in a heartbeat for a chance @ a new RS6. But I plan to keep 1 of them (will be a tough decision)...

[got boost]

I am currently in the market and would love the opportunity to purchase the new RS6 in sedan/avant form. I doubt they will bring it, may be time to move. Keep us posted!

[blmlozz]

I implore your efforts OP, however, realistically I gave up on the brand's willingness to invest in the N/A Market a long time ago.

Audi is simply the smallest of the luxury brands in terms of volume for hot-sedans or wagons. Add this to the fact that their 'signature' are wagons.. which typically plummet into deep dark regions of negative profits, and you at some point just don't offer some products here.

The B5 RS4 didn't make it here, neither did the C5 RS6 plus (or wagon), nor the C6 RS6 and in all likely-hood neither will the avant-only B8 RS4, nor the new RS6.

Is it not evidence enough that the *one* RS6 import over here end up shifting a little more than a thousand? Compare that to the 10K CTS-V's or the thousands of E39's/E60's sold during the same period.

Enthusiasts may have a liking for wagons, but enthusiast sales alone are not enough to sustain entry of a car like this. I mean, the E63 comes in wagon form over here, and I'm pretty sure Mercedes has imported less Wagon E63 AMG's than I have fingers on one hand. Even the great 6MT CTS-V wagon only existed as a final middle finger from Bob Lutz, and with all the praise, perfect scores and grown 30-40year old men acting like school children around it, they've sold < 2,000 vehicles iirc.