2011 AMC 12A Problem 18

The identity $|x+y| + |x-y|$ $= 2\max(|x|, |y|)$ turns the condition into $\max(|x|, |y|) = 1,$ the boundary of the square with $|x| \le 1$ and $|y| \le 1.$ On this region $x^2 - 6x + y^2$ increases as $x$ decreases and as $y^2$ increases, so the maximum is at $x = -1,$ $y = \pm 1:$ $$1 + 6 + 1 = 8.$$ Thus, the correct answer is D.