In its irresistible ascent, Audi bought back Lamborghini in 1998. It was lucky for the Sant’Agatha brand, which saw its future secure, but also for the German manufacturer, who was able to use it as a “premiumiser” machine. Besides the fact that it allowed him to add the R8 supercar, a Gallardo with Ingolstadt sauce to his range, it gave an extremely prestigious label to the V10 that he developed for the Italian bull. Audi added two cylinders to its 4.2L V8, and that resulted in the super-GT’s 5.0L V10, reducing its bore and stroke somewhat to keep weight down. This block, he then recovered to install it in a 5.2 l version (with the ratings of the 4.2 l V8) in his own models, including the A6 generation C6 sedan which, thus rigged, becomes S6 .
A V10, which is more direct injection, in this category, that is new, at least at Audi. On the S6, which recovered it a few months after the larger S8, it develops 435 hp, against 450 hp on the limousine, a question of prestige you see. But the S6 retains the advantage in terms of torque, not by value (540 Nm on both) but because its maximum is obtained 500 rpm lower. BMW has already adopted such an architecture in its M5 E60. Is the S6 a rival? Not really. Indeed, it remains much less powerful, and adopts an all-wheel drive more typified safety than performance. It still equips itself with a Torsen central differential, sending 60% of the torque to the rear by default.
For its part, the gearbox, which must be automatic, has six reports: it is the excellent ZF 6HP26, renamed here Tiptronic and equipped with a sequential control. The choice made in terms of running gear is more surprising. Obviously, we find those of the standard A6 (double wishbone front, multi-link at the rear) but the springs remain metallic (no pneumatic system) and passive damping. Everything has been lowered and strengthened, but one can be surprised at this economy. Especially when we see the price of € 89,800, or nearly € 105,000 today according to INSEE. An Avant station wagon is also available, at € 92,200. Fortunately, the equipment, very complete, includes Recaro leather-Alcantara seats with electric adjustments, GPS, automatic air conditioning, bi-xenon headlamps, Bluetooth …
Nevertheless, the sales of S6 will be weak, especially that in 2008 appears the terrible RS6, also equipped with a V6 but stuffed by two turbos and offering some 580 ch! In general, the customers of this type of car want the best of the best.
The RS6 inaugurates the restyling which benefits the A6 range, affecting the headlamps, the rear lights (enlarged), certain engines and the shields. But the S6 will keep its V10 as it is, so is content with minimal modifications. She ended her career in 2011, which marked the end of V10s in Audi sedans.
How much does it cost ?
Sedans, even sporty ones, are experiencing a dizzying discount and the S6 is no exception to the rule. You can find them from 10,000 €, by looking a little. At this price, the mileage will pass the 200,000 mark. At € 13,000, we can find copies totaling around 150,000 km, while it is necessary to count on € 20,000 for an S6 with less than 100,000 km. Station wagons, which are a little more popular than sedans, have a slightly higher value.
Which version to choose?
Between S6 and S6, the choice is wide… The differences in phases I and II being small, the question will be especially to find the most beautiful specimen at the best price. If we think about resale, a station wagon seems preferable.
Les versions collector
They will be the lowest mileage and the best optioned. A very nice car displaying less than 50,000 km can exceed 30,000 €. It won’t lose them if we drive very little.
What to watch?
Very well manufactured, the S6 spends the years without visually aging: therefore beware of tampered meters on cars from Germany, for example. Whether it is 100,000 km or 250,000 km, the car will look the same. It is different from a mechanical point of view. Some blocks are affected by a lining problem (like at Porsche, like, like), and need to be changed, which is around € 20,000! This is signaled first by unstable idle speed and an on engine light, then by clicking and hot blue smoke. Check carefully before purchase, even if the cases are very rare.
In addition, maintenance is quite expensive, especially when it concerns the ignition. These are only a few spark plugs and coils to change around 100,000 km you might say. Yes, but there are 10 of each! We will also watch the timing chain tensioners and phase shifters, sometimes tired around 130-140,000 km. Finally, do not forget to change the gearbox and differentials on time.
In return for what, we have a car that can remain dashing after several hundred thousand kilometers.
Driving
Despite its power, the S6 remains very discreet, mainly distinguished by its 19-inch rims and silver-colored mirrors. Inside, we observe the Audi finish at its best level, never equaled since. This is impressive, both for the quality of the materials and the precision of their adjustments. I’m not a fan of dials resembling Dali’s soft watches, but at least they are readable without having to tamper with the display that we prefer …
The original Recaro seats are really nice, and the driving position is close to perfection. When starting, the engine sounds… like two 5-cylinders! It’s refined, original but very muffled. But it works hard! There is power all the time, this full block pushing up to nearly 7,000 rpm without complaining. It gives a very special flavor to the S6, without having to drive fast and that is invaluable in France. For its part, the box is sometimes a little slow but always soft.
The amortization is quite firm: Pullman lovers, go your way. That said, it guarantees fairly effective body support, and comfort remains respectable: you can drive quickly without being shaken like a plum tree or seeing the car disintegrate. At least in a straight line … Because in bends, no miracle: the weight of the V10 irremediably drives the Audi outwards, even if the transmission mainly sends the torque to the rear. Clearly, if you abrupt it in the winding, the S6 understeers like a cow on roller skates.
Its thing is the high-speed autobahn, where it spins straight like an I, insensitive to wind or rain, the Quattro system offering optimal traction. Spacious and silent, it will also delight the family with its complete equipment and its excellent Bose sound system (standard). As for consumption, it is around 13 l / 100 km on average.
L’alternative youngtimer
Audi 200 Turbo (1983 – 1991)
When it was released in 1982, the Audi 100 C3 surprised with its then exceptional Cx of 0.30, guaranteeing a good top speed. In 1983, its high-end version 200 receives a 5-cylinder turbo engine of 182 hp which makes it point to 230 km / h, speed then rarely reached by a sedan! She shamelessly challenges the BMW 528i and Mercedes 280E, which she inevitably drops off on the autobahn. In addition, thanks to its lightness (1330 kg for 4.80 m, that leaves you dreaming), it accelerates strongly even if its front end suffers from the power. This model begins to establish the credibility of Audi at the top of the range, especially when the following year, it receives the famous Quattro transmission. It is also eligible for the Avant body, which looks like a hunting station wagon.
In 1988 a restyling took place which brought a more opulent dashboard and a cavalry pushed to 200 hp, while at the end of 1989, a more important development arrived. The engine adopts a 20-valve cylinder head, resulting in a total of 220 hp! This version which stands out for its large US bumpers exceeds 240 km / h and paves the way for the famous V8. In all, the 200 Turbo / Turbo 20v will be produced in around thirty thousand copies. From € 3,500 in good condition.
Audi S6 (2006) technical sheet
- Engine: V10, 5 204 cc
- Power supply: direct injection
- Suspension: McPherson struts, double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar (AV), multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar (AR)
- Transmission: 6 automatic gearbox, 4 wheel drive
- Power: 435 hp at 6,800 rpm
- Torque: 540 Nm at 3,000 rpm
- Weight: 1,910 kg
- Maximum speed: 250 km / h (manufacturer data)
- 0 to 100 km / h: 5.2 seconds (manufacturer data)
> To find Audi S6 adverts, go to the website of The power plant.
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