The new 2013 S6 is dead in the middle of Audi’s performance
S class line-up. It uses the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 found in its
big brother the S7 which makes 420 horsepower at 6400 rpm. Maximum torque is an
impressive 406 lb-ft, which is available from 1400 to 5200 rpm. To change gears
the S6 uses a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission, which allows it to get much
better fuel efficiency than the previous model. It also uses an upgraded
version of the famous Audi Quattro (all-wheel-drive) system that is designed to
send the majority of the power to the rear wheels. The exact pricing is not yet known but we can expect the base price to be around $70k.
The previous S6 packed a more powerful 435-hp naturally
aspirated 5.2-liter V-10. The new V-8 engine does not sound as mean, but it is
much more efficient, increasing MPG by approximately 25 percent. Despite the
slight drop in power the new S6 happens to also be much faster. Car and Driver
recently clocked the S6 running to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. To put that into
perspective the last S6 need 5.4 seconds to get to 60. It is able to achieve
this because of a very improved launch control system. Like most European
sports cars, top speed is limited to 155 mph but the S6 would supposedly be
able to reach speeds up to 190 miles per hour.
To improve the handling of this car Audi gave it a longer
wheelbase, less front weight bias, and decreased the total weight. It was able
to get 0.87 g on the skidpad, and stop from 70 – 0 in 157 feet. These numbers
aren’t quite as impressive as its straight-line acceleration but it is still in
line with similar performance sedans like the BMW M5.
Fuel efficiency has seen an increase to 17-mpg in the city
and 26 on the highway. This can mostly be attributed to the S6’s cylinder
deactivation system and low engine friction.
The new Audi S6 has seen extreme improvements with the 2013
model. Its 0 – 60 time is all the more impressive when you consider the
relatively modest amount of horsepower under the hood. We definitely commend
Audi, because this year the S6 went from being a peppy soccer dad sports sedan,
to an aggressive performance machine.