Audi debuts a new S6 for 2020. The S6 runs in the same circles as the BMW M550i and Mercedes-AMG E 53.

Audi tends to give its “S” performance vehicles subtle exterior improvements over its non-performance models, and it does the same with the S6. Though it shares the same muscular, sleek body as the regular A6, the S6 features a sportier front bumper with larger openings, satin silver side mirrors, front and rear diffusers, standard 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust tips. An optional black optic package replaces most of that exterior brightwork with black trim and swaps the standard wheels for 21-inch wheels. Inside, the S6 gets a 3-spoke steering wheel, sport seats with a diamond-stitch pattern, and illuminated stainless-steel door sills.

The S6 includes a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 48-volt electrical system. Together, these produce as much as 444 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Audi also offers a premium sport suspension with adaptive dampers. Standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and torque vectoring help rocket the S6 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

The 2020 S6 comes in Premium Plus and Prestige trims. Both feature the latest in Audi technology, including an LCD instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen, and an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Google Earth, and 4G LTE connectivity come standard. A Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system is among the list of options.

When it comes to safety, the S6 comes with a full suite of standard and optional features like adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam and turn-assist functions, rear cross-traffic alert, and vehicle-exit warning. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) declared the structurally identical 2019 A6 a Top Safety Pick+, its highest rating.

The all-new 2020 Audi S6 is a technological tour-de-force with plenty of performance under its hood.