Audi S6: Comparison against BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

Automobile Mag made a comparison of German super sedans. The Audi S6 finished second.
Second? You must be kidding...

The S6-like its big brother, the S8-benefits from a charismatic engine. Rated at 435 hp, the V-10 with Italian DNA features direct fuel injection, four overhead camshafts, and an intake plenum with two unequal-volume lungs. Drop the hammer, and the S6 catapults itself into action, generating tidal waves of noise that sound so physical they might result in the car's flight path being lined with leafless trees and featherless birds. The gearbox programs are mapped much more closely together than those in the Benz, but manual mode further speeds up the gearchanges, and in the sport setting, the engine revs greedily to its 7000-rpm redline. Thanks to Quattro, traction is never an issue, and grip is magnetic. Torque is split 40/60 percent front to rear, but this rear-wheel bias is recalculated at the first hint of wheel spin. The Audi has the most riveting brakes, and its steering is reassuringly competent in managing the sometimes antagonistic propulsion and direction-changing duties.

We expected the S6 to be notably slower and less involving, with more androgynous handling qualities and less feedback overall. But we were wrong. Despite the near total absence of drama, its set of reflexes is complete. Quattro is a bonus not only in winter or when it rains: it also ties the car down well through dips and brows, makes carving the twisties much more relaxed, and always-always-puts the power down. Instead of bothering you with weight distribution or traction-control issues, the S6 simply goes where you point it. No, power oversteer is not easily induced, but when you whip all three cars through a wet corner, there is one clear winner. And at an estimated $75,000, the Audi is the most affordable supersedan.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi S6

Source: Automobile Magazine

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