2014 Audi S6 TESTDRIVENOW.COM VIDEO REVIEW by auto critic Steve Hammes

2014 Audi S6 VIDEO REVIEW

From top to bottom, if there’s a sexier model lineup than Audi’s right now I don’t know what it is. They’ve been pushing all of the right buttons lately leading to gotta’ have it cars like this powerful and prestigious S6.

It’s no surprise that Audi sales continue to rise – simply put, they build fantastic looking cars. It’s ironic because at the same time parent company VW is losing the sales battle due to their ugly cars. And the most sought after Audi models are those with Ss and Rs before their names. So here’s the brand’s midsize performance sedan, the S6. All-new last year, the S6 exists to satisfy the racier side of the pragmatic luxury car shopper and for those with a desire for exclusivity. Though you can get into a base A6 with a turbo-4 for around $45,000 the S6 doubles the piston count and leads off for about $30,000 more.

The last time I drove an Audi S6 it had a big V10 under the hood. But this current model makes more from less – as in more performance from less gas with this twin turbo V8.

The T here actually does mean turbocharged and what a sweet engine it is. Two air compressors are better than 1 and the immediacy of this motor’s 420 horsepower and 406 pound feet of torque will have you guessing if it’s a turbo at all. It also has a soft side, able to deactivate half of its cylinders under partial load for the sake of fuel economy, improving gas mileage by 20% in combined driving over the departed V10. Expect around 20mpg, on premium of course.

With an aluminum hybrid structure and the smaller displacement engine, the S6’s weight savings are tangible from behind the wheel. It just gets up and goes so darn fast and effortlessly. And with this 7 speed STronic transmission, you’d never guess it was a dual clutch and not s regular automatic. It’s that smooth. Then throw in Drive Select and an adaptable air suspension for a super comfortable ride, there’s seemingly nothing this sedan doesn’t do well.

Zero-to-60mph takes a scant 4.5-seconds with all of the traction getting to the pavement though a combination of optional 20” Pirelli P Zero tires, quattro permanent all-wheel drive and a sports rear differential for better grip exiting turns. However in low speed turning maneuvers, like pulling out of your driveway, I did notice a proclivity for drive line bind as a result of the all-wheel drive…something I’ve never noticed before in an Audi.

The interior puts on its own show, with diamond stitched sport seats, layered aluminum and black wood inlays. The MMI system with its flip up screen is one of the stars providing Google maps and a WiFi hot spot though the Audi connect subscription service. It’s also the conduit of other information, such as the four camera system for safer parking and the excellent Drive Select settings; an easy to use setup for a tailored driving experience. If I was Audi I wouldn’t be bragging too much about this little drawing board, I’d be much more impressed if they just put a touch screen in. You can draw letters and numbers here for navi and phone input but it seems like a cheap gimmick. My car adds the optional Driver Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control, active lane assist to keep a wandering driver in place and the pre sense plus safety system, proactively intervening in case of a collision.

Quiet, luxuriously comfortable and housing a rear seat with plenty of breathing room including its own climate controls the S6 is the perfect highway miles eater never asking you to compromise for the impressive performance which lies within.

My tester checks in at $81,645 with the addition of full LED headlights, 20” wheels, the assistance package, interior trim and Phantom Black pearl effect paint…interestingly positioned in both price and performance among its German peers like the E550 4Matic and 550i xDrive.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH AUTO CRITIC STEVE HAMMES’ REVIEW OF THE 2015 AUDI A3.