A6/S6/RS6 Audi S6: Press test drives and reviews

[Deckhook]

^US rags seem to do the whole acceleration discipline different to most European rags so I always find it difficult to compare results without understanding how these times were achieved. To me that time sounds too good to be true and if I recall correctly their times are the best for the M5 too, a full 0.6s quicker than Autocar achieved which sounds fishy to me.

 

[Tumbo]

Seriously.... 0-60 in 3.7 seconds is like 0-100 km/h in 3.9-4.0 seconds. That is INSANE!!!

 

[tristatez28lt1]

First instrumented test by Car and Driver:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-audi-s6-test-review

2013 Audi S6

The sensible four-door rocket.

• MAY 2012
• BY JENS MEINERS

​

Audi's lineup of V-8–powered S models is growing, and each one has its own place. Of the four models with the new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, the 420-hp S7 is the beauty, while the 520-hp S8 is the big daddy with lots of extra baubles. The Europhile's choice, the S6 Avant, won't be offered here, which leaves the four-door S6 as the serious performance sedan. Under the skin, it is virtually identical to the S7. But thanks to the lack of a hatch and its slightly more compact dimensions, the S6 weighs about 100 pounds less, and it's also got a slightly narrower track. The chassis components are identical, however, and so are the engine and transmission.​

Which is a good thing. As in the S7, the force-fed V-8 produces 420 hp at 6400 rpm and maximum torque—an impressive 406 lb-ft—is available from 1400 all the way to 5200 rpm. The power is put through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system.​

The new S6 walks in some big footprints: Its immediate predecessor was more powerful, packing a 435-hp naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V-10. And that powertrain was capable of sending a chill down your spine simply from its F1-like exhaust note. The new V-8 emits a menacing growl, but doesn't quite match up to the raging V-10. On the plus side, the new engine is not only a bit more torquey but also more efficient—by a whopping 25 percent, according to Audi. It’s also much quicker.​

​

Hold On to Your Hüte​

With launch control engaged, the sprint from 0 to 60 mph takes a mere 3.7 seconds, which is all the more impressive considering the engine’s modest output; the last S6 needed 5.4 seconds to do the same deed. Top speed on the new car is limited to 155 mph, although we’re told the car would be capable of close to 190 if left ungoverned. The S6 is supposed to be a very efficient performance sedan, thanks to low engine friction and cylinder deactivation—we saw 14 mpg over an admittedly strenuous workout, but EPA numbers should be closer to 17 mpg city, 26 highway.​

Positively Balanced​

The combination of the torque twin-turbo V-8 with a longer wheelbase, less front weight bias, and less overall mass makes the new S6 more of a driver's car than its predecessor. It is still big, but noticeably more tossable than the previous model. The electromechanical power steering is surprisingly pleasant, light but progressive and well weighted. The optional torque-vectoring sports differential adds weight but offers extra agility that ambitious drivers will easily experience. Grip from the Bridgestone Potenza tires measured 0.87 g on the skidpad, and we managed a 157-foot stop from 70 mph. This isn’t the most hard-edged sports sedan, but its balance of comfort and sporting aggression is commendable.​

The S6 is distinguished from the lesser, conservatively styled A6 sedan with a unique platinum-colored grille, horizontal elements in the front air intakes, aluminum mirror caps, a rear lip spoiler, and four exhaust outlets. The front intakes are surrounded by an additional strip that follows their outer contour—this element, not yet present on the S7, will be a trademark of all future S models, we’re told. Why a lip spoiler instead of a unique, fully formed trunklid? Because customers don't notice the spoiler if it's not a separate element, the designer tells us, and because Audi already went to the limits of manufacturing feasibility with the crease of the A6's aluminum trunklid. We will cast yet another vote for the optional black wood/aluminum interior trim we liked so much in the S7.​

So fine, the S6 Avant will stay in the Old World, and the S7 is just a touch heavier than this sedan. We'll have to put up with the all-business S6—and, with performance like this, we won't complain much.​

Specifications >​

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan​

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $71,000​

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection ​

Displacement: 240 cu in, 3933 cc​

Power: 420 hp @ 6400 rpm​

Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm​

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode​

DIMENSIONS:​

Wheelbase: 114.6 in​

Length: 194.1 in​

Width: 73.8 in Height: 56.7 in​

Curb weight: 4255 lb​

C/D TEST RESULTS:​

Zero to 60 mph: 3.7 sec​

Zero to 100 mph: 9.2 sec​

Zero to 130 mph: 16.1 sec​

Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.9 sec​

Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.1 sec​

Top gear, 50–70 mph: 2.6 sec​

Standing ¼-mile: 12.1 sec @ 115 mph​

Top speed (governor limited): 155 mph​

Braking, 70-0 mph: 157 ft​

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g​

FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST):​

EPA city/highway: 17/26 mpg​

C/D observed: 14 mpg​

TEST NOTES: Launch control is activated in D sport with ESC off. Just stomp the gas with the brake and it zings to 5000 rpm, lift and it moves out.​

 

[Centurion]

Seriously.... 0-60 in 3.7 seconds is like 0-100 km/h in 3.9-4.0 seconds.

Not necessarily. The car is a performer though but not extraordinary so given the bar raised by the F10 M5 and very shortly, a facelifted Panamera and Panamera S.

 

[DeDe]

60mph without rollout around 3,9 s. Quarter mile without rollout in 12,3 s at 185 km/h and 209 km/h (130mph) in 16,3 s.

So...
...0-100 km/h in 4,1 s (est.)
...0-160 km/h in 9,3 s (est.)
...0-200 km/h in 14,7 s (est.)

Impressive indeed.

 

[Human]

60mph without rollout around 3,9 s. Quarter mile without rollout in 12,3 s at 185 km/h and 209 km/h (130mph) in 16,3 s.

So...
...0-100 km/h in 4,1 s (est.)
...0-160 km/h in 9,3 s (est.)
...0-200 km/h in 14,7 s (est.)

Impressive indeed.

My goodness! Nothing short of impressive! And that goes for all the times quoted for the different speeds.

 

[Tumbo]

Can any mod merge the threads, with this one:
New S6 sprints from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds
(we already are talking about this 3.7 seconds test there)

And name it "Audi S6: testdrives"

 

[Giannis]

All threads about the S6 test drives are now merged into this one!

 

[Tumbo]

The S6, S7 and S8 seems to mean big business now. I'm really amazed what Audi did with these cars.
One can only imagine how insane the RS6 will be...

 

[Deckhook]

This is all the performance saloon one would truly ever need, considering C&D have also the quickest time for an M5 in their hands the S6 is barely any slower in the real world, it reaches 60mph in the same time and it's only a few tenths behind at 100mph, it even covers the 1/4mile distance within a whisker of the mighty M5. I'm of the opinion that you will only feel wanting for more power against the likes of the M5, Panny Turbo and Turbo S when you meet them on an autobahn.

Though a word of warning.....this is but one test.

 

[Tumbo]

News is spreading fast :
http://www.worldcarfans.com/112051044203/2013-audi-s6-clocks-37-seconds-in-0-60mph

 

[Tumbo]

This is all the performance saloon one would truly ever need, considering C&D have also the quickest time for an M5 in their hands the S6 is barely any slower in the real world, it reaches 60mph in the same time and it's only a few tenths behind at 100mph, it even covers the 1/4mile distance within a whisker of the mighty M5. I'm of the opinion that you will only feel wanting for more power against the likes of the M5, Panny Turbo and Turbo S when you meet them on an autobahn.

Though a word of warning.....this is but one test.

What were the M5 times that C&D achieved?

 

[Tumbo]

What were the M5 times that C&D achieved?

I'll answer that myself:

M5 vs S6
Zero to 60 mph: 3.7 sec - 3.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 8.3 sec - 9.2 sec
¼-mile: 12.0 sec @ 122 mph - 12.0 @ 115 mph

 

[Tumbo]

As somebody wrote on RS6.com:

weight loss is the new hp figure. that was an awfully fast result for an S6. those are official figures for an R8 V10. (then again C&D got 3.3 secs for an R8 V10). the rS^ doesn;t have to have over 600 hp if it weighs as much as an S6 but makes 560 hp (140 hp more). such a car could produce 0-60 numbers in the 3.3 sec range.

Amen to that.

 

[Merc1]

The Audi may match the BMW up to a point, but it will be left behind once they really get rolling. I'd wait to see what times they get when they test U.S. cars on U.S. soil. The Audi S6 must be grossly underrated.

M

 

[Tumbo]

The Audi may match the BMW up to a point, but it will be left behind once they really get rolling.

Of course. We are talking about 420hp vs 560hp...

 

[Zafiro]

Its a very good time. This shows how effective AWD and launch control is. A good start is all about traction. Maybe the next RS6 can do it in 3.5 seconds.
C&D also meassured CTS-V and M3 in 3.9 seconds. C63 AMG in 3.7 seconds. TT-RS in 3.6 seconds.
Also, C&D use a special start technique which is different from other carmagazines. I'll wait for European carmagazines before I shout the word 'Awesome'.

 

[Deckhook]

^I agree, it's too early to shout it from the roof tops. Though this being said the S6 is comparing very favourably against all those others cars you mentioned and more importantly tested with this same technique.

I'd be willing to bet based on this time that someone in Europe will post a 4.1-4.2s 0-100km/h through I think a sub 10s 0-160km/h time will be doubtful.

 

[klier]

Its a very good time. This shows how effective AWD and launch control is. A good start is all about traction. Maybe the next RS6 can do it in 3.5 seconds.

All nice and all, but a rolling start or acceleration while already driving is more important, and will happen much more often in the real world.
And with that, AWD becomes pretty meaningless (F10 M5 kills the Panny Turbo S on every single point with a rolling start.)

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Rolling starts eliminate driver error.