Audi will premiere the updated 2012 S6 and the 2012 S6 Avant at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show next month. The sportier versions of the A6 model range, the 2012 Audi S6 and the 2012 Audi S6 Avant are both powered by the same new 4.0 TFSI V8 twin-turbocharged engine, which develops 309 kW (420 hp) and 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) of torque from 1,400 to 5,300 rpm. With this new monster under its hood, the 2012 S6 is able to get from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds and can keep on accelerating until it reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). The 2012 S6 Avant is a bit heavier than the sedan version, and it requires 4.9 seconds to get from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h).
In terms of efficiency, the new engine of the
2012 Audi S6 model range requires 25 less fuel than the previous, 5.2-liter V10 powered version. Audi's official specs say that the 2012 S6 has a 9.8 liters / 100 km (24.0 US mpg) combined fuel consumption, while the Avant version is rated at 9.7 liters per 100 km (24.25 US mpg).
To get the improved fuel economy, Audi equips the 2012 S6 and S6 Avant with start-stop technology, and a new "cylinder on demand" management system, which deactivates four of the eight cylinders when the engine is only partially loaded.
The Audi S6 2012 also comes with an Active Noise Cancellation system (ANC), which monitors the sound level in the cabin, and when there's too much of it, it broadcasts an antiphase sound through the speakers to cancel it out.
As expected, the 2012 Audi S6 and the 2012 S6 Avant are equipped with the seven-speed S tronic transmission, the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, a self-locking center differential and torque vectoring.
For the 2012 S6 and S6 Avant, Audi is using a new adaptive air suspension with variable damping,
which lowers the body of the car by 10 mm (0.39 in). The new S6 also comes with black calipers with S6 logos and optional carbon ceramic brakes.
The 2012 Audi S6 weighs 1,895 kilograms (4,177.76 lb), the 2012 S6 Avant weighs 1,950 kilograms (4,299.01 lb). The 2012 S6 sedan is 16 millimeters (0.63 in) longer than the A6, while the Avant is 8 millimeters (0.31 in) longer than the A6. They both sit on 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, which are available in several designs.
At the interior, Audi equipped the 2012 S6 and the S6 Avant with a leather sport steering wheel, aluminum shift paddles and a set of amazing height-adjustable sport seats with power lumbar supports. Carbon fiber and aluminum trim parts are scattered all over the cabin.
The equipment list of both the sedan and the Avant (station wagon / estate) version of the 2012 S6 come with Audi's top of the range equipment, including LEDs, the MMI and driver information system and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. The Avant offers 1,680 liters (59.33 cu ft) of luggage space.
Audi will announce the price list of the 2012 S6 and S6 Avant at a later date.
