2017 Audi S6 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Since 1994, the S6 has been Audi’s high-performance version of its A6 midsize 4-door sedan. As such, changes to the S6 have followed those to the A6 closely. Updates to the 2017 model are minimal, since Audi is likely going to revamp the A6 and S6, along with the related A7 and S7, in 2018 as 2019 models. The current-generation S6 was launched a year after the current A6, so it’s technically not as long in the tooth as the A6, but it’s not exactly super fresh either.
Even so, Audi has made some changes to keep the S6 relevant and exciting, and these tweaks include an updated infotainment system, more exterior color and wheel choices, and a few changes to the bodywork. The bodywork changes include a new front end, side sills, rear diffuser, and rear bumper that together give a sharper overall look. These changes will not result in a price increase, and cars will show up at dealers this summer. Two trims are available: the Premium Plus (base) and the Prestige.
The S6 doesn’t look all that much different from a regular A6 apart from some badges, its wheels, and a handful of other styling elements. Under the hood, however, it’s in another league in terms of performance, and that’s part of what enthusiasts find so endearing about it. It’s a sleeper that doesn’t look like much to the casual observer, but is actually faster than most other automobiles on the road.
Under the hood is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 450 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Power gets to the ground via a 7-speed D tronic dual-clutch gearbox and Audi’s standard quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The grunt from that potent V8 is enough to get the S6 from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Fuel economy for such a powerful, heavy (nearly 4,400-pound) car is an unsurprisingly mediocre 18 mpg city, but the S6 will manage a respectable 27 on the highway.
In addition to AWD, the S6 has adaptive suspension to deliver sharp handling without compromising too much comfort, and there are customizable settings for other driving dynamics like transmission, throttle response, and ride characteristics via Audi’s Drive Select system. Driving modes include Drive, Auto, Comfort, and Dynamic. An available Sport package adds adjustable steering effort, reprogrammed torque vectoring for the rear axle, and a sport exhaust--which is always welcome, because big Audi V8s sound fantastic.
Because it derives from the A6, the S6 has an excellent interior with a premium feel. High-quality materials and solid fit and finish can be found throughout the cabin. The atmosphere has been criticized for feeling a bit sterile and cold, but the quality can’t be denied. Audi’s MMi infotainment system has also been updated for 2017 to be faster and more usable. It was already one of the better infotainment systems in the industry, so the 2017 car should be stellar on that front.
In addition to sheer speed, the S6 excels on the safety front. For both crash avoidance and impact safety, it’s among the best of its kind. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it Top Safety Pick+ rating, and it received 5 out of 5 stars across the board on all tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go traffic assist, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and night vision are all available safety features.
The S6’s main competitors come from the other two in the German Big Three. The BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG are similarly expensive super-sedans, but the S6 also competes with the Cadillac CTS-V and Maserati Ghibli, and people who yearn for something a little bit different will probably be eager to try the enticing and new-for-2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. The Audi still keeps up with the rest in terms of performance, features, comfort, and value, though, and it holds its own in all the magazine comparison tests. But cars like the Alfa are for people buying their sporty sedan with their heart, while the Audi is still for people who shop with their head.
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2017 Audi S6 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 630 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 15.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: simulated wood · Dash trim: simulated wood · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: simulated wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): front and rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: cargo net · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 4.09 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Alternator: 210 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 8.3 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation app: INRIX Traffic · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: myAudi with Audi connect · Smart device app function: send destination to vehicle
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 630 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 15.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: simulated wood · Dash trim: simulated wood · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: simulated wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: grocery bag holder · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 4.09 · Limited slip differential: rear
Engine
Alternator: 210 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 8.3 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: wiper activated · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.1
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation app: INRIX Traffic · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: myAudi with Audi connect · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse