Audi introduces a new entry-level for the sporty S6.
The new Audi S6 premium sport sedan offers one of those rare treats in life — getting more for less. In this case, more kicks, less money.
The formula is simple, really. Audi took the more sedate A6 and lit a fire under it with a twin-turbo 444-hp engine, added extra boost with an electric supercharger and gave it cheetah-like agility by adding rear-wheel steering.
Then Audi introduced a new entry-level trim called the Premium that knocks around 5,000 bucks off the sticker (now around $73,700). More kicks, less money. It even gets its own Convenience package with features like driver assists and surround-view camera.
While few would call the S6 sedan’s looks flashy, it gets sportier elements than the A6 like a blacked-out grille and 21-inch V-spoke alloys with red brake calipers. And, for 2024, there’s a revamped honeycomb grille and bumpers with aluminum inlays, new LED headlamps and daytime lights. New colors Ascari Blue and Grenadine Red Metallic add the flashy.
Power comes from a 2.9-liter V-6 engine which is assisted by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to juice the supercharger. Together they produce 443 pound-feet of torque, enabling a sprint to 60 mph in a brisk 4.2 seconds. From a stop it’s not neck-jarring but it accelerates swiftly and evenly through the torque band.
Standard on the S6 is a smooth-shifting 8-speed transmission and Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Light and responsive steering makes in-town maneuvers and parking a breeze, while the optional 4-wheel steering makes S6 feel more like a compact.
An adaptive sport suspension smooths out rougher roads while offering intelligent management through curves and corners. Sailing through them is fun with a leather-covered flat-bottom steering wheel and paddle shifters, which are responsive though smallish and plastic.
Flip into Dynamic mode for the sporty drives, where steering tightens and gear changes are more aggressive. Other modes include Comfort and Auto, making the highway rides quiet and composed, but with plenty of passing punch.
The EPA rates fuel economy at 19 mpg city, 26 highway for a combined 22 mpg. That’s about average for a midsize luxury sedan powered by a V-6.
Despite its performance chops, many will find the S6 luxury and refinement even more notable. Front seats are racy with deep bolsters for lateral support but are still plenty comfortable. In the top-spec Prestige trim, seats are heated and covered in two-tone leather with accent stitching; same with the dashboard, center console and heated steering wheel. Even seat belts are two-tone.
Comfort for five passengers comes easy with ample head and leg room, 12-way adjustable front seats with lumbar adjustment up front, and heated seats in the rear. No seats are ventilated but four-zone automatic climate control is standard, and manual rear sunshades keep it cooler and more private.
The cabin is enhanced with ambient lighting in multiple colors, a fragrance diffuser and power soft-close doors. Accent trims add a special look with carbon fiber twill, wood or brushed aluminum.
This is a high-tech cabin, too, starting with one of the top infotainment systems in the business. It features a dual-screen setup with 10.1-inch touchscreen above and 8.6-incher below, both with crisp graphics and easy enough to learn. The upper screen is the main event, handling navigation, audio and entertainment, while the lower screen is home to climate controls and vehicle settings.
The system includes integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you want to play music from your phone, and there’s an optional 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The tech list also includes a wireless charger, Wi-Fi hotspot, and four USB ports.
Meanwhile, every S6 gets Audi’s “Virtual Cockpit” digital gauge display with reconfigurable information screen, plus a head-up display for at-a-glance data.
Trunk storage may be an issue for some: It lags behind most rivals with just 13.7 cubic feet of space. But most should find it sufficient for daily trips to the grocery or soccer field, and it has a power-closing lid. Just pack light for the family weekender.
An advanced safety package includes adaptive cruise control with lane guidance, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning with avoidance assist. The Prestige also gets intersection assist and remote parking.
Looking for sheer speed and fun? It can be had with entries like the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, 523-hp BMW M550i or the E53 from AMG Mercedes. The S6 blends elegance and refinement with its raw power of 444 horses and precision handling.
Barry Spyker was the automotive editor and columnist for the Miami Herald
MSRP: $75,795 (Includes leather package, premium audio, power trunk, soft-close doors; Arrow Gray Pearl exterior; S Sport package with all-wheel-steering, sports exhausts, and red brake calipers; 21-inch wheels, black roof, two-tone
sport interior)
What's all the excitement about? New entry-level trim saves five grand and still is loaded with power, agility and refinement inside
Powertrain: Twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 engine, assisted by 48-volt hybrid system to juice electric supercharger; Total output 444 hp, 443 pound-feet of torque
How's the performance? Smooth acceleration to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds; comfortable and confident with sport suspension and 4-wheel steering system
Fuel economy: EPA-estimated at 19 mpg city, 26 highway, for 22 combined
