Audi S6


 * see also: Audi A6

The Audi S6 is a high-performance version of Audi's A6 sedan. It went on sale in 1994, shortly after the A6 designation was introduced, replacing the 100 nameplate. The original S6 was largely the same car as the outgoing, first generation S4, with the only visible differences being new body-cladding and badging.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Audi S6 Review.

Recent Changes

 * For 2009, along with the rest of the A6, RS6 and Allroad Quattro range, the S6 receives a mid-cycle facelift. Among the revisions are a new taillamp design and Audi's next-generation MMI system.

Styles and Major Options
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Pricing
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Gas Mileage
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As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Engine and Transmission
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Performance
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Reliability
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Safety
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Photos
S6 Sedan

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Colors
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Main Competitors
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Hybrid Models
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Unique Attributes
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Interior
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Resale Values
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Criticisms
"What is it with Audis? So great are the dynamic differences between S and RS models (even of the same models) that they surely are developed by entirely different team of engineers. Where the RS4 is brilliant (the best Audi i've driven since the last of the Ur Quattros) the S6 is the monumental dissapointment. How can the direct-injection V10, originally developed for the Lamborghine Gallardo, fail to deliver performance that matches the engine's aural appeal? The answer is easy: mass, in part because the S6 is all-wheel-drive. But at 1910kg, Ingolstadt's executive hotrod can't hope to compete with the M5 and E63, The steering is light and vague and kicks over bumps. The thing just doesn't like changing direction quickly. Throw in a restless ride and you can see why the RS6 can't come too soon for this tester" Wheels Magazine

Generations
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Current Generation: (2006–present)
The third-generation S6 was introduced in the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. It features a 5.2 L FSI V10 derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo, detuned to produce "only" 435 PS (320 kW/429 hp) at 6800 rpm and 540 Nm of torque between 3000 - 4000 rpm. A six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and Quattro four wheel drive are standard. The same engine is used in the Audi S8 where it develops 450 PS (331 KW/443 hp). The S6 also features two rows of 5 distinctive LED running lights along the bumper as a point of differentiation from other A6 models.

Second generation (1998-2003)
In 1997, Audi introduced the second generation A6 models. It was a complete re-design, and a new S6 appeared in 2001 on the new platform. It was powered by a 4.2 L 40 valve V8 engine with 340 PS (335 hp/250 kW) at 7000 rpm and 420 N·m (310 ft·lbf) at 3400 rpm, a variation of the engine from the A8. The vehicle could now go from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and from 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in just 21.7 seconds. The top speed was electronically governed to 250 km/h (155 mph). Quattro was again standard, as was a six speed manual gearboxwith the optional 5-speed Tiptronic. As for appearance, the body panels were largely based off of A6 4.2 model, with exaggerated flared wheel arches and door sills. Other features included a 10mm lower body on stiffer suspension, S6 badging, bolstered seats, chromed side view mirror housings, unique front grille and rear decklid spoiler, aluminum hood and front side panels, aluminum subframes and 255/40 ZR tires riding on 17x8" cast alloy, 'Avus' style, six-spoke wheels. Only a wagon version was available to the U.S.

The second generation S6 went out of production in 2003.

A higher performance RS6 was also available, using a twin-turbo version of the 4.2 L V8 engine.

First Generation/Origins (1995-1997)
Audi was fairly constantly re-structuring their model lineup in early and mid-1990s, and in 1994 began selling the fifth generation 100 model as the A6. Wanting to keep a sports-sedan in their lineup, the company made small revisions to what had been badged as the S4, and began reselling it as the S6 - the S4 would eventually become a completely separate member of the lineup, based on Audi's A4.

For 1995, the S6 was powered by a 2.2 L turbocharged five-cylinder engine producing 230 PS (169 kW/227 hp) at 5900 rpm and 326 Nm (258 ft.lbf) at around 1950 rpm. The powerful engine gave the S6 surprisingly good performance, it had a top speed of 243 km/h (151 mph) and went from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds; 160 km/h (99 mph) was reached in 17.5 seconds. The vehicle came standard with a six speed manual gearbox (5 speed only in the USA), and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. It was available as both a sedan and an "Avant" (station wagon) to European customers, but only as a sedan in North America (except as a 1995.5 model,) Asia and Australia.

Audi had made a high-performance, 4.2 L V8 available as an option in the first generation European S4s, and made the decision to continue to do so with the S6, making a 290 PS (213 kW/286 hp) version of the 4.2 available as an optional upgrade over the 5-cylinder. Unlike the turbocharged version, the V8-powered S6 was shipped with automatic transmission by default, but kept the Quattro four wheel drive. A 6-speed manual gearbox was available as an option.

An even more powerful and very limited-production S6 Plus, powered by another version of the V8 (later to be seen in the Audi S8), was briefly available to European customers. Developed by Quattro GmbH, it was available for sale only during the 1997 model year. Only 952 cars were produced in total - 855 Avant (Estate) and 97 Limousines. Audi's performance division reworked key parts of the engine and increased the power output to 326 PS (240 kW/322 hp). During this process they also made revisions to the suspension, brakes and transmission. With so much power on tap, the S6 Plus could reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in less than six seconds, making it compareable in terms of acceleration to vehicles like the Porsche 944 Turbo.

Worldwide
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Design quirks and oddities
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Awards
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