Audi S6: Old-school lady charms
AUDI S6: NO V8, BUT FANS WON’T BE DISHEARTENED
Signature family hauler has battled to attract South Africans’ attention.
Despite not being a new phenomenon, the uncovering of a time capsule of sorts that harks back to the past still comes with a lot of intrigue. In the current automotive realm, that capsule is the performance sedan.
Once the definition of fast practicality with enough luxury, the signature family hauler of three decades ago that provided sports car rivalling levels of go now comes in the shape of an SUV as the shift towards a vehicle than can fulfil multiple roles continues at an unabated speed. However, reliving the past in the modern era often leads to a surprise result, which in this case, involves Audi’s long overdue new S6.
Like the model on which is based, the A6 which has struggled to attract the attention of South Africans. Similar to what BMW has achieved with the 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz with the E-Class over the years, the S6 has become something of a rarity compared to its M550i and AMG fettled E53 rivals, with its delayed debut of nearly two years reflecting Ingolstadt’s uncertainty of whether it should continue to have a local market future or not.
The decision to make both available, as Road Test editor Mark Jones pointed out with his stint behind the wheel of the 40 TDI last month, comes as a welcome but probably unnecessary addition in lieu of models such as the Q5, Q7 and Q8.
However, with next year marking the arrival of the RS6 Avant, which is likely to have even less appeal due to being an estate, the fan base the S6 has built up since debuting as Audi’s M5 rival in 1991, won’t be disheartened with the newcomer despite it no longer having a V8.
In typical Audi fashion, the S6 doesn’t shout about itself as it could easily be confused for an A6 S line. On closer inspection though, elements such as the 20inch Audi Sport five-spoke alloy wheels, gloss black Singleframe grille surround, Matrix LED headlights, S front bumper, door sills and rear apron and black mirror caps, announce this as not a bread-and-butter A6, but a Q or sleeper car S badged Audis have become known for.
Dated is most certainly not the term for the interior where the S6 comes with Audi’s latest Virtual Cockpit Display made up of a 12.3inch digital instrument cluster with S graphics and readouts, the 10.1-inch MMI Plus Navigation infotainment system and the lower 8.6-inch climate control panel.
Where the S6’s humble side stars, is practicality. Measuring 4 954mm in length, and using the same MLB Evo platform as the Q7 and Q8, the boot can swallow up to 520l of luggage with the rear seats up and, despite the panoramic sunroof, won’t leave those seated in the rear lacking room.
The undoubted standout of the S6 though is its engine. Whereas previous generations used five-cylinder, V8 and V10 units, the C8 is motivated by the Volkswagen Group’s bi-turbo 2.9 TFSI V6 that delivers 331kW/600Nm. Although there was some initial disappointment as to why Ingolstadt had opted against bringing the 257kW/700Nm TDI model to market, any concerns faded once the bent-six petrol started singing.
Helped along by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, the slightest prod of the accelerator results in a response that is not only immediate in mundane Comfort or Auto modes, but smooth when you put the Audi Drive Select system in Dynamic mode.
Against the backdrop of an aural pleasing V6 burble that reduces you to jelly as the butterfly valves open to emit the machine gun bangs, the inclusion of the slick eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox saw the 1.8-ton S6 rocket from 0 to 100km/h in 4.9sec at Gerotek with Herr Jones behind the wheel.
Sadly, despite being worth the wait, it’s less than spectacular sales record won’t do it any favours in spite of the competitive R1 401 500 before options and fantastic old-school luxury performance.