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2013 Audi S6

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:44 pm
by Sabre
C&D

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Audi’s lineup of V-8–powered S models is growing, and each S 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, and 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 fewer pounds, and it has a slightly narrower track. The chassis components are identical, however, and so are the engine and the 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 2013 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.

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 S6 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 and 26 highway.

The combination of the torquey 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 is noticeably more tossable than the previous model. The electromechanical power steering is surprisingly pleasant, light but progressive and well weighted. The optional torque-vectoring sport 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 limit of manufacturing feasibility with the crease of the A6’s aluminum trunklid. We will cast yet another vote for the optional black wood and 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.
So, I'm guessing they liked it, haha.

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 4:42 pm
by PGT
the new RS4 makes more HP and less TQ with an N/A version. It's really odd.
It's powered by a 4.2L V8 with 450 horsepower and 317 lb-ft. of torque.
The 4.2TT from the last gen RS6 to make it to the US A DECADE AGO made 450/428.

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 6:56 pm
by GaToR
PGT wrote:the new RS4 makes more HP and less TQ with an N/A version. It's really odd.
It's powered by a 4.2L V8 with 450 horsepower and 317 lb-ft. of torque.
The 4.2TT from the last gen RS6 to make it to the US A DECADE AGO made 450/428.

They are sandbagging the power rating. It's not like they don't have the ability to make the 4.0 more powerful than the rest. Same engine in the S8 (4.0 TT V8) gets 520hp. I'm wondering if putting the S8 ECU in an S6 would fix the 'lack' of power.

But even still I'm sure the S6 is underrated to all hell. Regardless of how powerful they say it is, the S6 blows the doors off the RS4, the RS5 an the 2003 RS6 in a straight line.

This thing is a screamer. I'm curious to see what the tuners do to it. The old 4.2 TT could be tuned on stock turbos to 580hp before the transmission gave out. I wonder what Audi's DCG can handle.

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 7:20 pm
by GaToR
The difference in power output between the two versions of the 4.0 TFSI is due mainly to the use of either a single-branch or dual-branch intake system, the turbocharger operating settings and the top version’s additional oil cooler. There are further differences relating to the crankshaft and its main bearings, the compression ratio, valve timing and the injectors.
http://fourtitude.com/news/publish/Audi ... 7153.shtml

Doesn't sound like they are using different turbos in the S6 and S8.

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:19 pm
by PGT
is this a totally new motor or a smaller version of the venerable 4.2L?

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:48 pm
by GaToR
PGT wrote:is this a totally new motor or a smaller version of the venerable 4.2L?
I'd call it totally new. The heads are reverse-flow like BMW's new V8 so they can fit the turbo's between the cylinder banks.

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:43 am
by Sabre
Sabre wrote: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).
Considering it weighs in at almost 4000lbs, I'd say it's definitely underrated ;) I remember another post where I told you Audi underrates their engines by a ton. The S4 officially has 333HP at the crank, yet dyno's put them at 320AWHP. Unless they have figured out how to defy the laws of friction, they are WAY underrating their engines. I think the "fix" to that power would just be to flash the ECU.

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:50 am
by drwrx
C&D did a comparison test and posted the following for 0-60 / 1/4 mile & trap speed:
S6: 3.7 / 12.1 @ 115 mph
M5: 3.7 / 11.9 @ 123 mph
E63: 3.8 / 12.0 @ 124 mph

So yes, the 100+ hp and torque deficits to the M5 & E63 do show in the trap speeds but are largely meaningless in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

It is the 0-130 times where you see the power benefits:
S6: 16.1
M5: 13.1
E63: 13.2

That said, the prices are also significantly different as well:
S6: $79,000
M5: $97,000
E63: $100,305

I think I might give up the trap speed and 120mph+ bragging rights for a $20,000+ savings.

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 11:26 am
by GaToR
Being German, as seeing as how the 335i and the S4 but down their 'rated' power essentially to the wheels, I wouldn't be shocked if all 3 of those cars were putting down significantly more than advertised. How awful of them! /sarcasm
drwrx wrote: I think I might give up the trap speed and 120mph+ bragging rights for a $20,000+ savings.
Truth. Especially if I had the money for an M5 I might try to... play with the S6 tuning limits a bit...

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:44 pm
by complacent
no s6 avant, no care.

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 4:03 pm
by drwrx
complacent wrote:no s6 avant, no care.
+1 (thousand!)

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 4:38 pm
by complacent
drwrx wrote:
complacent wrote:no s6 avant, no care.
+1 (thousand!)
i really, really want that wagon to be a possibility here. i guess i'll have to give the new allroad a closer look when the time approaches.

but i reeeeeely want the s6 avant.

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 5:01 pm
by drwrx
I don't believe the Allroad will be available with any engine other than the 2.0T.
I read a recent write up that claimed the 3.0T will not be an option as the new Allroad is based on the A4.

Re: 2013 Audi S6

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:11 pm
by Sabre
3.0T is in the S4 though, so I would think it would be a possibility.

I agree about the Avant. Now, whether I could actually afford a second mortgage is another story...