GermanGarage

The S6 is getting consistently called out as superior driving dynamics to the S7....


Today's story has been brought to you by the letter 'S'
by Julian Low features@mediacorp.com.sg
Updated 10:08 PM Nov 02, 2012

Singapore - Halloween probably gave some kooky types an excuse to dress up with red undies on the outside and bright blue tights with an "S"' stretched across the chest, while on Monday, Audi Singapore launched two cars similarly festooned with the letter "S".

Unlike would-be men of steel, however, the Audi S6 and S7 Sportback can both lay legitimate claim to having super powers to some degree. Most of that is down to the engine they share, a new turbocharged V8 that conjures 420bhp from 4.0 litres.

That may be a lot of power, but it should come as no surprise to those familiar with Audi's "S" badge.



Kicking S



It's reserved for the high-performance members of each model family built by Audi (the even more steroidal "RS" models are usually the work of quattro, an Audi subsidiary), and so the S6 and S7 are essentially aimed at hedonists.

That's why the new S6 is as quick as Audi's own R8 supercar, at least to 100kmh. If you let the growling V8 do its thing, it hurries the super saloon to 100kmh in only 4.6 seconds. The heavier S7 Sportback takes 4.7 seconds.

Both cars have fantastically well-appointed interiors in the usual Audi style, but with suitably racy touches to lift the atmosphere. To start with there are gorgeous cabin trimmings crafted from carbon fibre, the expensive stuff Formula 1 cars are made of.

Bucket-style front seats with pleated leather and pedals made of polished aluminium also do plenty to add to the high-octane decor in the cabins.

Externally, the best way to identify these super Audis (apart from the "S" badges on the body) is to look for their wing mirrors, which have a satiny silver finish.

But you'd probably do better to familiarise yourself with the rear ends of these cars, because they are fantastically fast.



Quick and clever



Both have all-wheel drive, so they never scrabble for traction out of corners no matter how early you ask the engine to flex its muscles, and the S6 in particular can swoop into bends the way Superman speeds into action whenever there are distressed maidens about.

There's some Clark Kent stuff at play here, too. The engine can switch off half of its cylinders to conserve fuel, and does so without anyone noticing. And despite riding on lowered suspension with stiffer, sportier settings, both Audis do a surprisingly good job of insulating you from lumpy tarmac.

If you're wondering how to choose between the two, it comes down to how much you value style. The S7 Sportback, with its more swoopy silhouette, is the prettier car, but it's also the less practical Audi here, with seats for only two in the rear and a more cramped environment behind.

It's also marginally less sharp in handling terms, presumably because it's meant to be the plushier model of the two. That leaves the S6 as the driver's choice.

Either way, while neither Audi is faster than a speeding bullet, they wear their "S" livery with good reason. The "S" might stand for "Sport" and not "Super", but if they were men, the S6 and S7 Sportback would both wear their undies on the outside.

http://www.todayonline.com/Cars/EDC1...68/Dynamic-Duo