Audi has whipped the covers off its new S6 Sedan and S7 Sportback models (as well as the S6 Avant, for some markets), with the pair of performance models interestingly being offered with 3,0-litre V6 turbodiesel engines in Europe.
In the United States, Asia and the Middle East, however, the S6 and S7 will be fitted with a version of Ingolstadt’s TFSI-badged 2,9-litre V6. It’s not yet clear which powertrain will be offered in South Africa (we are, of course, still awaiting the arrival of the standard A6 and A7).
[UPDATE: Audi South Africa has confirmed to CARmag.co.za the local market will receive the TFSI engine rather than the TDI engine. Timing has yet to be established]
So, back to that TDI engine, which is mated to all four corners via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Audi says the powertrain, like that of the recently revealed SQ5 TDI (which is unfortunately not destined for SA), employs an electric powered compressor along with a 48-volt primary electrical system. As a result, the 3,0 turbodiesel six-pot delivers some 257 kW and a towering peak torque figure of 700 N.m (the latter on tap between 2 500 and 3 100 r/min).
That’s enough, says the German firm, to send the S6 Sedan from standstill to 100 km/h in 5,0 seconds, with the S7 Sportback taking one tenth of a second longer to reach three figures. The top speed of each is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
All-wheel steering will be offered as an option, while the S sport suspension will come with damping control as standard. This suspension arrangement lowers the body of the S6 by 20 mm and that of the S7 by 10 mm (resulting in the same ride height for both). Adaptive air suspension will be optionally available, as will a sport differential for the rear axle.
The uprated braking system will include six pistons on each wheel gripping steel discs (or optionally ceramic items) measuring 400 mm up front and 350 mm at the rear. A set of 20-inch wheels with 255/40 rubber will ship standard, while 21-inch versions will be offered as an extra.
Inside, standard features include MMI navigation plus (including Audi’s virtual cockpit with its 12,3-inch display), four-zone automatic air conditioning and Alcantara sport seats in the S6 (with “super sport seats” reserved for the S7).
