Once again, Audi models have qualified for the finals of the World Car of the Year Awards, the Audi A4 / Avant has been nominated as a finalist in the World Car of the Year category while the Audi RS6 Avant is also nominated as a finalist in the World Performance Car of the Year.

WCYA are administered by a non-profitable association and have no affiliation with, nor are influenced by any automaker, publication or auto show, the awards were officially launched in 2004 and the inaugural World Car title was first handed in 2005 to the Audi A6.

Finalist were selected by a group of 59 renowned international automotive journalists from around the world, all jurors hold a significant reputation within their own regions and countries.

Winners of the WCYA will be announced at a press conference during this year’s New York International Auto Show.

The Audi A4 / Avant is competing against some heavy weight vehicles like the BMW 7 series, the Jaguar XF and the Nissan GT-R just to name a few. See full list of eligible vehicles here.

While the Audi RS6 Avant is competing against names like the Lamborghini LP560-4 Gallardo, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Porsche 911 Carrera and Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. See the complete list of vehicles here.

The Awards also determine winners for World Green Car of the Year and World Design of the Year.

Highlights from the Sun’s Ken Gibson’s review of the RS6 Avant due to launch in our showrooms around May.

By KEN GIBSON
Motoring Editor

Published: 31 Jan 2008

“THUNDER bolt and lightning, very, very frightening indeed. “

And that’s exactly how I felt after a day behind the wheel of the world’s most powerful estate car, the RS6 Avant.

Actually it was a toss-up between very frightening and absolutely bloody fantastic, especially when I took the RS6 around a French racing circuit at speeds that should have seen me stuffed into a crash barrier.

You don’t normally associate estate cars with race tracks, but then again there is nothing normal about the 580 bhp RS6. This, as my photographer Jezza said, is one mental car.

White lightning … 580bhp will do the job!

The acceleration figures of 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 175mph don’t get close to telling you how frighteningly fast the RS6 feels.

The acceleration, using either the super quick auto gear change or the F1 steering wheel paddles, is simply electric.

And then you have an Aladdin’s cave of Audi racing technology, including the latest version of the legendary Quattro all-wheel drive. It keeps the RS6 planted on the road in a spookily controlled way, in any weather conditions.

Oh yes, and the brakes are also outstanding, which is reassuring considering the speeds you’ll be doing.

In reality the RS6 is an estate car that is actually a fully fledged supercar complete with a monster 5litre V10 twin turbo charged engine, especially for owners with a practical side.

Because unlike the rest of the supercar elite, there’s room for five people — and Ikea wardrobes will never move so quick.

Ironically, if you can resist the temptation to bury the accelerator, the RS6 has a surprisingly civilised side to its character. Switch the car’s suspension system from dynamic or sport to comfort and you can travel in the lap of luxury.

For the full write up click here and contact us for more information about the RS6 Avant