RE: Diesel replaces V8 in new Audi S6 and S7

RE: Diesel replaces V8 in new Audi S6 and S7

Author
Discussion

tril

367 posts

75 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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Seems like a slightly strange decision but likely driven by WLTP and needing to drive down averages. I'm sure it will be fast especially with all that torque, but in reality the power difference between this and the S4/S5 doesn't exist. Will make far more sense outside of Europe with them getting the 450hp 2.9 V6 which will no doubt be a better driver.

Also, outside of the regulations, Audi sell far more RS6s in Europe than the S6 or S7, so I expect this being a diesel really won't impact sales all that much, and will maybe even increase for fleet sales etc.

Icehanger

394 posts

223 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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Going by how much of a poor seller the S6/7 was in Europe as the RS sold in much much higher numbers, I'm not surprised by the move, make it totally different to the RS rather than a just lower powered one. The US only get the S versions and not the RS so the Petrol engine makes the right choice as the halo model over there.
Lets hope depreciation is high, would make a nice swap to from my A6 BiTdi Avant

nickfrog

21,214 posts

218 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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simonbamg said:
but the PH forum said this wouldn't happen, why didn't Audi consult us when planning the future strategy on the engines.....
That's because the PH car pundits are not very good at promoting their unrivalled expertise within the automotive industry, a real shame indeed.

simonwhite2000

2,474 posts

98 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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JD said:
simonwhite2000 said:
A6 55TFSI puts out 340bhp this diesel 350bhp - i know torque is way higher but it doesnt create much seperation does it. I would probably take the smooth 55 TFSI or a 50tdi with a tuning box and keep a huge chunk of cash (probably not far off £10k)

They look great but this is pretty weedy for an S6 in my view. The SQ7 engine would have been a much better idea and been more on par with the previous S6 from a power and sound perspective.
I was just about to post the exact same.

This must be the slowest (relative to the other models) S6 ever?

The 55 does 0-62 in 5.1 seconds already.

I knew VW were really struggling on the emissions targets, I just wasn’t expecting such drastic measures as this!!!
It seems like they just had to shove something in it almost in a panic. Weird how the SQ7 engine will go in the new SQ8 but they didnt put it in this. Really weird. Also makes me wonder about the fate of the RS4 and RS5 given that engine was supposed to go in this for Europe.

culpz

4,884 posts

113 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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"Just when it looked like diesel might have died a death as far as performance cars are concerned, Audi - and, by extension, Volkswagen - have made it clear that they still see life at the end of the oil-burning tunnel".

There isn't though, is there? Not really, anyway. Diesel can make more sense for these big, heavy German cars but surely any success with these models is going to be short-lived? Petrol hybrids are the obvious next step before full electrification and won't be a part of the ban in 2030. Hybrid diesels though?

The best thing that can happen for VWG here would be for these to be a massive sales flop. Or for the legislation to change that hybrid diesels will be okay for a while. I just can't see it though.

Dr G

15,198 posts

243 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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Big GT said:
Great news - Common sense prevails over hype.

Diesels provide real world power delivery and better economy than most petrol hybrids.
The wider market preferred the previous (diesel) SQ5 to the knee-jerk petrol version; an engine that WLTP laughed out of the bulding anyway. This move doesn't surprise me and the cars should provide very good real-world economy.

Dr G

15,198 posts

243 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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CORRECTION: S6/7/8 all have standard air suspension.

Harry H

3,401 posts

157 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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aaron_2000 said:
I love a quick diesel, but what's so special about this? They have the 4.0 V8 diesel that would've been great for this. I'd be really into it if it wasn't an S car, but as an S car it just leaves me a little too cold.
Exactly. It's wasn't long ago that an S6 V10 was famed for having a Lambo engine( even though it didn't). It's now been reduced to a V6 Diesel. Just wrong.

apm142001

276 posts

90 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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Diesel-only, in one of the core S models? Wtf?

Evanivitch

20,172 posts

123 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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As if the S-badge (and M and AMG) wasn't diluted enough! Shocking.

toppstuff

13,698 posts

248 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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Euughhhh....

I cannot think of a better way to make these cars less desirable and less deserving of the S lable.

They have always been the sane, more logical and affordable choice for those who do not want the RS range ( and the harsh ride that traditionally offered ) but now these cars have lost any possible reason to choose one.

Mercedes with their AMG "Light" version with 43 range sitting below the 63's , must be smiling at this decision.


Robocop2

27 posts

126 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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Sad announcement for the S6 legacy. I have owned my 2013 S6 V8 since new and it’s been a great, reliable car with an understated presence and a genuinely surprising turn of speed. Personally speaking, a diesel replacement is an absolute turn-off as I was expecting the new model to have the 3.0 V6 petrol. Looks like I’m going to have to look beyond Audi for my next car.

Paddy78

208 posts

147 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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I didn't think I could get any less excited by a fast Audi... Well played Ingolstadt, well played.

Gio G

2,946 posts

210 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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So this news is going down well.... what does it matter, no one buys these models.. I think the V6 bi-turbo would have been the perfect match if the V8 was too tasty..

G

Ares

11,000 posts

121 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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Actually, I get this move.


The S6 was sat in no-mans land. A poor man's RS6 or a badge engineered A6. The 'S' used to be the top model, then RS hit every live-up leaving the S sat in the wilderness. BMW compete in this sector with a 'standard' 5-series 550i/d (although not in the UK), AMG get berated for calling the warm model an AMG, this new breed of 'S' makes it a more touring/comfort high performance options for the owners/drivers, the bulk of which will be higher-mileage management than can't justify the miles in an RS.


Stu08

703 posts

118 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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culpz said:
"Just when it looked like diesel might have died a death as far as performance cars are concerned, Audi - and, by extension, Volkswagen - have made it clear that they still see life at the end of the oil-burning tunnel".

There isn't though, is there? Not really, anyway. Diesel can make more sense for these big, heavy German cars but surely any success with these models is going to be short-lived? Petrol hybrids are the obvious next step before full electrification and won't be a part of the ban in 2030. Hybrid diesels though?

The best thing that can happen for VWG here would be for these to be a massive sales flop. Or for the legislation to change that hybrid diesels will be okay for a while. I just can't see it though.
I'd say Audi have more knowledge than most of us on PH regarding upcoming markets, regulations etc. If they are investing in this tech. there is a calculated and strategic decision in doing this. They have some pretty smart people working for them who have more facts than most of us have guesses on the direction of the car industry.

simonbamg

767 posts

124 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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Stu08 said:
I'd say Audi have more knowledge than most of us on PH regarding upcoming markets, regulations etc. If they are investing in this tech. there is a calculated and strategic decision in doing this. They have some pretty smart people working for them who have more facts than most of us have guesses on the direction of the car industry.
nah according to PH they just had a punt hahaha

TomScrut

2,546 posts

89 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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For those of us in the UK, how many S6 or S7s do you actually see?

Whilst this change makes the car less desirable for myself, I can't afford one. The issue is that the old petrol S6 had two things stopping them from selling, the RS6 where people would just drop the extra money for it, or at the S6 priceband get an RS4 instead. This must be of greater appeal to somebody. But on the other hand I don't see why they didn't put the SQ7 engine in, as it stands the 55TFSI is on par with it more or less.

Motormatt

485 posts

219 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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I’m sure Audi will have done their homework on this. BMW fit a diesel in their equivalent sub M car in the form of the M550d in Europe at least so Audi clearly aiming for the same market.

Ive always thought of the S6 as a top of the range A6, faster and better equipped than the others bought buy those with some boundaries when it comes to purchase and running costs. Anyone with no budget constraints just buys an RS6 don’t they?

Jobbo

12,973 posts

265 months

Thursday 11th April 2019
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Air suspension was standard on the previous S6; was it Audi's own press release that said it was something new?