Audi launches 429bhp S6 quattro

You can buy the 398lb-ft saloon now

By PH Staff / Monday, 13 March 2006 / Loading comments

Audi S6 quattro (below: Avant)

Audi releases the latest addition to the Audi S quattro Series this week -- the meaty 429bhp V10 FSI S6 quattro. You can now order one now from your local friendly Audi dealer and it'll cost you a fairly hefty £55,330 in saloon form or £56,600 as an Avant. The first examples will reach UK customers in July.

Developed with technical input from Lamborghini, the Audi saloon and its Avant estate counterpart combine high spec features with the FSI directly injected 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine, with 398lb-ft of torque available from 3,000rpm. It results in a sprint to 62mph in 5.2 seconds (Avant 5.3 seconds) on the way to a top speed limited electronically to 155mph. Economy is fair at 21mpg.

It uses lightweight sports suspension incorporating a high proportion of aluminium and four-wheel drive with a standard 40:60 (front / rear) torque split to get the power down to the tarmac.

Visually, the S6 quattro uses Audi's now-standard big grille plus an additional central air intake flanked by larger side intakes containing LED daytime running strip lights. It gets aluminium look door mirrors, 19-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, an integrated boot or tailgate spoiler, a built-in diffuser in a contrasting colour and four ellipsoidal exhaust tailpipes.

Inside, S quattro distinguishing features include new electrically adjustable Alcantara and leather-upholstered sports seats with integral head restraints and pronounced lateral supports, an ‘S quattro’ three-spoke leather-trimmed sports steering wheel with contrasting double seam stitching and aluminium look tiptronic gear shift paddles, plus an exclusive S quattro design for the gear knob and dials.

Also included in the UK S6 quattro specification is DVD satellite navigation built into the much praised Multi Media Interface (MMI High), a six-CD autochanger and an upgraded Driver’s Information System (DIS) with a built-in digital speedometer.

If you need a fast steer that can accommodate the family plus dog, you could do a lot worse...