Test Drive Audi S6 since 2012 Sedan

Secret letters "s"

Released since 1999. Facelift in 2001. Sports version Audi A6.
Only four-speed, five-speed automatic transmission, gasoline engine V8.
Body - sedan or wagon.
The price in Russia is 82 thousand euros.

Powerful modifications of business class sedans have always been on the verge between sports ambitions and comfort. Unlike executive machines, where power is an exceptionally element of prestige, they are designed for the ability to dispose of each additional force.
For dedicated
So, we look and consider differences from the usual Audi A6. Extended wheeled arches, 17-inch wheels with low-profile tires, reduced ground clearance, modified bumpers and a pair of small red S6 signs. They say modesty decorates. True: Machines in this class do not have antiques with a table and other mounted pseudo-rich tinsel - the most powerful versions of business sedans should be unmistakable to identify only fans of the brand. For the rest of the public, they are not distinguished from the total model range - seeing wolves in sheep skins.
But inside, it is quite possible to give the will to sports preferences. Instead of wooden slats - Kevlar cage, instead of standard seats, white sports recaro with electrical adjustment and heated. The sidewalls of the seats are leather, and the pillow and the back of Alcantara are not the most practical combination, but impeccable comfort, clutch with a seat and a light planting-disembarka are guaranteed. However, with a loaf to the Bavarian origin of the car. A thin driver of the rollers of the back and pillows will not help - they are designed for a set of 100 kg and more. But for the growth of restrictions is practically no - both the meter with a cap, and the two-meter guardian will find an optimal landing. Although tall is better to do without a hatch in the roof. In the back seat will freely feel two passengers above the average growth. Third will be ... Armrest. You can sit down and threesome, but the form of the seat itself says: the third is superfluous, and heated only for two.
Any pace forces
Automatic gearbox immediately removes responsibility from the driver for the correct use of the engine potential. If the motor is powerful and tracked, with a speed of 50 km / h, you can go on the first, and on top gear. The V-shaped eight takes the load at once with idle revolutions, does not object to spin up to 7000 rpm and has a pleasant, well-rolled voice. This nature of the engine allows you to completely trust the machine - the motor smoothes small flaws and some thoughtfulness of the transmission. Therefore, in the city, any rebuilding is performed by lying a gas pedal to wear. By car, a reasonable high-speed range (we limit the limits of a reasonable two hundred kilometers per hour) does not require full mobilization of the podcast herd. Even taking into account the transmission reaction, overclocking from 60 to 100 km / h takes less than 4 seconds. Do you still want to pull the handle? Try the Tipitronics - it allows you to keep the necessary transmission, for example, to pass turns or in front of the stressed overtaking. But it is rather a game of the rider than the real need.
And yet, despite the outstanding dynamics, Audi S6 is not at all racing car. It is indicative of the start from the place: due to the full drive and the powerful 17-inch continental-sports contact tires, 255 mm wide it seems even leisurely. In essence, it is - cars with similar energy and drive per axle accelerated from the spot faster. But only on dry asphalt ... By the way, winter shoes S6 are much smaller: 215/55R16 - brake mechanisms allow you to put 16-inch wheels.
With increasing speed, the apparent slowness Audi S6 disappears, and he turns exactly that the car you expect is dynamic, for which any pace forces. However, the pace defines not only the motor, but also the suspension. Its ability to cope with the wavy relief of Russian roads at high speed, damping and energy intensity may be decisive. Here S6 does not leave - this is not a racing housing, but there is no ripple on irregularities and in risen. But it is necessary to pay all the same - at high speeds the car meticulously copies the road profile and keeps the driver in voltage, requiring accurate and rapid steering steering for retention. However, on a flat road, everything is normal: the sensitivity of the steering is not so great, although from the stop until the stop here is only 2.5 turns.
Sprinter or styer?
Powerful and high-speed cars can be divided into sprinters and styers. An explanation is unlikely to explain: 1000 km on our roads behind the wheel of the mini Cooper s or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution /\u003e Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution exhausted anyone, although they are great in short distances. And the same thousand driving a powerful representation sedan will seem walking, although on the annular race track he will look like a cow under the saddle. Audi S6 just in the middle - has not lost proper comfort for many hours of distillation, but it is already quite sharpened for narrow and winding tracks. Interestingly, what are the requirements of this car places for the driver?
The Question helps to answer the Mountain Road of the Auto Polyignon. With the ESP system enabled, the control of more than a 300-strong machine will not cause problems even at an inexperienced driver. Electronics will very effectively push the car in turn, regardless of the qualifications of the one who is driving. But its possibilities are not impossible. With the disabled ESP Audi S6 remains a completely understandable car, but the requirements for the driver are increasing. At the entrance to a rotation with a drop-down Audi gas slides outward, when the gas is added, it is easy to fall into the drift by all the wheels, allowing you to take turns in the rally style - of course, with proper experience. Here, the sharp and accurate steering wheel becomes necessary because it is the only opportunity to correct the error.
All in the measure
At the price of 82 thousand Euros Audi S6 is difficult to call cheap. The customer of such a car has the right to be picky. After all, his attention will be distracted and more expensive Audi A8 with a motor 4.2 l, and Audi RS6, under the hood of which is 450 liters. s., And more affordable S4 with the same S6, motor and mechanical gearbox, and simply audio A6 4.2, under the hood of which only 300 horses, but complete with more modest tires, comfortable suspension and long main pair (2.73 instead of 3.55). Such a car for 16 thousand euros cheaper. This is not to mention competitors of other firms. And yet, as a compromise between the sports car and the All-weather business sedan Audi S6 deserves attention. Everything is good in moderation, right?

Sports notes - Kevlar, Aluminum, Alcantara.

The first eight with a full drive appeared at the Audi 15 years ago.

If the third is superfluous, why the head restraint?

LEDs faster bulbs.

SUMMARY
Excellent dynamics, well-coordinated engine and gearbox, suspension energy intensity, steering operation on smooth roads.
High gasoline consumption, nervous steering wheel, restrictions on the adjustment of the seats.

Anatoly Fomin. Photo: George Sadkov

Source: Journal "Behind the wheel"