Audi’s multimedia interface (MMI) controls everything from sound, navigation and temperature control, and is far less cumbersome than some of its competitors’ systems. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but it doesn’t take long to master – and watching the screen rise when the start button is depressed never gets old.
 2013 Audi S6. Click image to enlarge |
Outwardly, the S6 is handsome, but slips beneath the radar as far as “look at me” factor goes. You could describe it as a “stealth-mode Q-ship”.
Other than discreet badging and body cladding, there’s not much to differentiate it from the respectable A6 sedan.
Unlike the S7 – whose gorgeous lines elicit great sighs of longing from any car lover with a pulse – the S6 dresses like a wealthy, tasteful businessman – sleek and well-turned out with little to suggest the boot-camp calibre muscle under that Hugo Boss exterior.
But surprisingly, the pair are virtually fraternal twins – sharing most of the same platform and identical powertrains. What the S6 concedes to the S7 in beauty though, it makes up in athleticism. The 50 kg (110 lb) weight difference is a factor, and distributed just a little better than the S7 – whose heavily reinforced hatchback contributes more weight over the rear axle. Since 20 percent of that sheet metal is aluminum, the new S6 is also lighter than the model it replaces.
 2013 Audi S6. Click image to enlarge |
Under its cultured hood lies a new twin-turbo, 4.0L V8 that churns out 420 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It’s a beautiful mill that will catapult the unsuspecting driver into high-ticket territory, burying humble commuter cars in its slipstream. Surprisingly, the 4.0L features cylinder deactivation technology, which effectively turns the monstrous V8 into a modest four-cylinder during sedate cruising. Whenever the tach is below 3,500 and the transmission in third gear or higher – the camshaft is modified (via sliding lobe sleeves) so that it no longer provides lift to cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8.
During my week of mixed driving, I saw fuel economy numbers as low as 10.4 L/100 km, although that number shot up to an average of about 13.5 with all cylinders firing. Best of all, there’s really no noticeable evidence that you’re suddenly piloting a four-banger – it remains silky smooth without any tell-tale buzzing thanks to noise-cancelling sound waves fed through the sound system’s speakers.
