Test drive Audi S6 2006 - 2008 sedan

Take the bull by the horns

The first of the clips of the autumn new products of Audi, we visited the S6, the long -awaited sports modification of the already familiar six. First glance - under the hood. And how else, because there is an engine from Gallardo! Almost
 

Many seriously believe that this engine migrated on the S6 straight from a popular supercar. So it is, if we consider the engine to be a modified cylinder block.

 
In fact, now a almost completely original 10-cylinder power unit is dusting us with heat. If you remember, Gallardo had 5 liters of working volume, and here this figure is more than 200 cubes. That's right - a piston group and a new crankshaft. The diameter of the cylinder is increased to 84.5 mm (it was 82.5 mm), the piston stroke is the same 92.8 mm. Was there a FSI direct injection technology on Lamborghini? There was no spawn! Engineers from Ingolstadt equipped the motor with a company system specifically for flagships. Therefore, the degree of compression of the engines is different - 11 in Italian and 12.5 in German. There are no balancing shafts in Lamborghini engines. Plus, Gallardo has a lubricant system with a dry crankcase, which, you see, would be very bold for the serial Audi (although BMW still decided on this with its technological V10 for M-Series). Anyway, motors are collected in different places: for Gallardo - in Italy, for S6 - in Germany
 

The engine almost inaudibly rustles at idle, but what aria it gives together with the exhaust system during promotion! The first thing that was hooked at the wheel of S6 is the sound with which this 5.2 -liter monster works. It seems to be firing from two anti -aircraft guns through the cars remaining behind the cars. Powerful, loud, rolled. And at maximum speed, the queue merges into a continuous roar to match the soaring fighter. Therefore, many willingly believe that there really is an engine from Lamborghini

 
However, not the point. The hood is closed, it's time to admire the appearance. Everything is designed in the style and traditions of cars with Litera S. No Posteri, no ostentatious game with muscles, only strokes emphasize the masculinity of appearance. The main thing is the arches expanded by 14 mm, which unobtrusively adjusted the silhouette of the car. In arches - 18 -inch discs with a special design. There could be 19 inches, but Audi considered that this would be better. Based on practical considerations, I completely agree with the representative office.

 
The front part acquired a new false radiator grille with large cells and vertical rods finished under aluminum. At the edges of the anterior bumper, LEDs of S -FARNICA appeared in the lower part. Door moldings expanded. Behind - four pipe of the exhaust system and a spoiler crown on the trunk. Schildes V10 under the turners on the front wings remind what kind of car it is. In other words, any person who is more or less versed in cars will immediately understand that this is S6.

 
The cabin has new sports seats, sheathed with a combination of skin and alcantara. Conveniently, all the necessary adjustments are present. With active driving, the seat is completely ensured by the inviolability of landing - Alcantara firmly holds the friction force plus side support, working correctly, but quite confidently.

 
The interior decoration is first -class. Designers generously decorated the salon with carbon panels. The tunnel between the front seats looks especially impressive. There is also a decoration for aluminum, part of the surfaces is also everywhere, anthracite and therefore also looks metallized. The small three -spoke steering wheel is ideal in proportions, the transmission controls that are behind it are easily available. In the center of the panel of the color display of the MMI system. The engine can be started with a key or button to the left of the machine gun selector. The engine is jammed with a separate key - this is how Audi is accepted. ESP is disconnected by long (more than three seconds) by pressing the corresponding button. If you press it briefly once, only the ASR anti -storage system will turn off.
 

It offers the curtains sitting behind on the windows, the back with electric drive, personal nozzles of a blow. On a long trip of passengers on the second row, most likely, the rumble of Glushikov. But this sound sitting in front does not annoy. S6 - car for the driver!
 

At the heart of all -wheel drive is the good old Torsen. The distribution of torque is 40/60 in favor of the rear axle. The decision is true - why load the controlled wheels with excess thrust? However, depending on the conditions of movement in the front, up to 65% of the moment may turn out to be up to 85%.
 

The chassis for the top version was seriously modernized. First of all, the main suspension nodes are replaced with aluminum. Thus, unsubstantiated masses are reduced. Shock absorbers and springs are replaced. S6 chassis settings are tougher than in a sports package for A6. Did you suffer comfort from all this? Not a bit! Of course, the suspension here is more energy -intensive, hard. However, this does not annoy the passengers at all, they are satisfied. But until a certain point, until the driver of the S6 begins to disclose the potential of the car
 

The steering wheel of the novelty is shorter than on basic models - a gear ratio has been changed. A hydraulic wrap with variable effort regularly generates feedback depending on speed. There is almost no connection in the parking lot, on a high -speed right steering wheel, it is poured by force, zero is clear. In turns, too, without question - everything is according to the laws of the genre of fast expensive cars.
 

The S6 motor is aggregated only with a 6-speed automatic Tiptronic. Closed gear rates and changes in the control unit are distinguished from ordinary automatic transmission, which managed to achieve faster switches. The machine is good - it works promptly and smoothly, the switching algorithm in sports mode is impeccable. But there is one annoying moment. The box reluctantly and does not hold a manual switching mode. I was able to feel this during the testing of controllability when passing the snake. I drove the segment, went to the U -turn, drove up to the cones, and instead of the necessary second box, I already helpfully picked up an unnecessary third.
 

Before the tests on the site, just at the moment when we examined the motor, I noticed that the engine was installed in front of the front axle. That is, all 220 kg of super -compact and stuffed with advanced V10 technologies are located almost on the nose of the S6. A seditious thought crept in - but will this controllability kill, will not make the car clumsy in short turns? After all, you can’t argue against the laws of physics. It is one thing to rush along the autobahn, to pass high -speed arcs, another is to lead a car through a bunch of not very fast turns.
 

When performing sports exercises at short distances, of course, the total large mass of the car, the severity of its front. If you sort a little at speed when performing a snake, the destination of the front axle immediately follows. You can extinguish it with gas discharge, and if the situation is close to critical, then the S6 is on the desired trajectory immediately after short -term braking. However, in general, the reactions and handling of the sedan are only delighted. The most powerful motor, cool steering wheel, effective and very informative brakes.

The car, like an enraged bull, jumps from one cone to another, deftly licks the arcs, shooting in bursts of exhaust pipes. It is clear that he needs the scope of a large racing track. Only there all his talents will appear.
 

When passing the speed arc, insufficient rotation is again detected. S6 requires the driver of the choice of ideal trajectories and speed, allowing fuel to the cylinders at the exit of the turn. Then everything passes with a bang.

 
But Quattro is famous for ensuring that it provides a spectacular passage of turns sideways. It is in this mode that the all -wheel drive scheme with a fully mechanical Torsen shows itself from the best side unambiguous in its reactions.
 

How to make a heavy sedan with wide warmed tires to break in sliding on the pavement of asphalt? The trajectory of movement must be broken at the entrance to the turn. Acceleration, turning the steering wheel to provocative gas discharge - the back is a little thrown to the side. Now we sharply twist the steering wheel in the opposite direction. The amplitude of the return movement of the stern exposes the sedan across the road. Finally, the S6 is in a fully controlled sliding! Now the driver needs accurate work by the gas pedal and the steering wheel, and the arcs can be laid by different radius, and pass them at different speeds. It takes a breath when you get sideways on the asphalt for eighty meters, and then the car easily stabilizes and again rises to the direct course! Obediently, of course, predictably. In this situation, the catastrophic consumption of rubber should not be confused. The powerful engine transfers 90% of its 540 nm to 2300 rpm to wheels, and this silicon is enough to easily scroll through all four wheels during drifts. It is a pity, of course, crippled tires, but we could not deny ourselves pleasure named Quattro!
 

In this regard, it is once again a shame that in Russia there is no nourburgering and amateur racing culture in the form in which it is cultivated in Europe. Although how many Russian owners of S6 will want to rape the expensive sedan and shaking rubber on it, also, by the way, that is not true? After all, the Audi S6 is primarily a status car. However, I venture to assume that they will emphasize the status to a greater extent those who have gasoline in the blood. And I also hope that these machines at least occasionally give space and an opportunity to implement their hidden talents.
 

Prices and configuration

 
The basic S6 set includes the ESP exchange stability system (unites ABS, EBV, ASR, EDS), Brake Assist, side and front pillows of the driver’s safety and front passenger, cruise control, climate control, light-linked wheels R18, sports front seats, multifunctional A sports leather steering wheel, an on -board computer with a colored display, rain sensors and the inclusion of near light, adaptive xenon headlights and more. The cost of the machine in the basic configuration is $ 137 182. The list of additional options is great. It includes the color of metallic, alloy wheels of 19 inches, a sliding hatch, preparation for installing a phone, front seats with an electric drive and a memory function, as well as various interior decoration options.

 

Text: Leonty Tyutelev
 
 

 

A source: Motor magazine [October 2006]