(dpa) – Audi is fettling a slightly higher riding version of its hot executive RS 6 estate, reports Germany’s Autobild gazette.

Demand from China was behind the decision to launch the heightened variant, which will feature added body cladding for the proper off-road look. The off-street RS6 will square up against the powerful sports utilities beloved of Chinese customers.

There are likely to be no compromises in the power department and an offroad RS6 is set to get the barnstorming 4-litre V8 from the standard version.

This engine pumps out 560 horsepower to deliver a zero to 100 kilometre per hour sprint of 3.9 seconds. Top speed of the high-riding version may however be a tad less than the 280 km/h quoted for the regular RS6 station wagon.

No introduction date has been given, but Audi has been apparently working on this load-carrier for some time, said Autobild. The report speculated that the car may be launched in Europe towards the end of 2016.

The Nanuk Quattro concept shown at the 2013 Frankfurt Car Show hinted at an upcoming off-road RS6.