Having unveiled the SQ5 with a diesel engine combined with a mild-hybrid 48V system, Audi repeats the recipe. This time it appears in the S6 (sedan and van) and S7 Sportback and confirms the rumor that the sport versions of the two Audi models could come to use a diesel engine.
Thus, at a time when sales of diesel-engined cars in Europe continue to decline, Audi opted to equip the S6 and S7 Sportback with a 3.0 V6 capable of offering German executives 349 hp and 700 Nm and that on the S6 and S7 it is associated with the Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission.
A considerable decrease when compared to the 450 hp of the Otto 4.0 V8 TFSI engine of the last S6 — as a note, the North Americans will receive a gasoline S6 and S7 Sportback. It is the 2.9 V6 TFSI that, despite having lost a pair of cylinders, maintains the same 450 hp of the predecessor.
Returning to “our” S6 and S7 Sportback, the 3.0 V6 TDI comes with a mild-hybrid system inherited from the SQ7 TDI, courtesy of a parallel 48 V electrical system. This allows the use of an electrically operated compressor that is driven by an electric motor (powered by the 48 V electrical system) with the aim of reducing turbo lag.
Thrifty but fast
Thanks to the mild-hybrid system, Audi announces fuel consumption between 6.2 and 6.3 l/100 km for the S6 sedan, and 6.5 l/100 km for the S6 Avant and for the S7 Sportback. Emissions are between 164 and 165 g/km for the S6 sedan (171 g/km for the S6 Avant) and 170 g/km for the S7 Sportback (values measured according to NEDC2).
Subscribe to our newsletter
Inside, the S6 received sport seats and can. as an option, have a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
In terms of performance, the S6 sedan fulfills 0 to 100 km/h in 6.0s while the estate version and the S7 Sportback take 6.1s. As for the maximum speed, this is limited in the three models to the usual 250 km/h.
The three models share the 48V mild-hybrid system inherited from the SQ7 TDI.
In terms of dynamic handling, Audi decided to equip the S6 and S7 Sportback with an adaptive sports suspension and 20 mm less ground clearance (10 mm less in the case of the S7). Optionally, both the S6 and the S7 Sportback can also have four-wheel steering and even an air suspension focused on comfort. The quattro system is standard.
Discreet Aesthetics
Aesthetically, the S6 and S7 received a series of sporting details, but the truth is that all these are guided by discretion. Thus, the biggest highlights are the four tailpipes, new bumpers, new grille, several “S” emblems, 20” wheels and chrome accents. Inside, we find sports seats, contrasting stitching and new materials.
With arrival on the market scheduled for the summer of 2019, Audi predicts that, in Germany, the prices of the S6 sedan will start at 76 500 euros, the S6 Avant at 79 thousand euros and the S7 Sportback at 82 750 euros.