Audi, Luxury unit of Volkswagen and recipient of VW auto parts such as VW heater core is grabbing attention with its S6 sedan. The S6 is loaded with 435 horse power, V10 which shake up the choices between the BMW M5, Cadillac STS-V, Jaguar XJR and Mercedes-Benz E63. There is a horsepower hierarchy among powerful sedans but only two have 10 cylinders and that includes the BMW.
BMW due to its longest history in luxury sedan manufacturing has become the foundation which other luxury sedan automakers follow. But it seems that Audi will not just content itself in being a second place car basically because it has all the technology and capabilities of building a vehicle that can compete head-to-head with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. And besides if BMW can equip its vehicle with 500 hp from its 5.0 liter and Mercedes can provide its vehicle with 507 hp from a 6.3 liter V8, Audi can also do the same and come up with a 5.2 liter V10.
For the S6, 435 hp is just about right but if in case its raise to 500 then it wouldn’t be so bad since the power is equally distributed through all-wheel drive. The starting price of the S6 is $72,720 inclusive of the $720 freight charge. The test car with options is priced a little higher at $79,070 which is reasonable compared to the $100,000 price of a BMW with options and the $90,000 Benz.
The S6 is classy car inside and out. It is equipped with flared fenders, quad tailpipes, integrated rear spoiler, platinum-gray grille and the attention-grabbing V10 badges located at the front fenders. The car looks divine when it drives by. And with the S6 on the road, the M5 looks like the jock of the group while the E63 turns into an elder’s car.
The V10 which the S6 possess is not place there for bragging purposes but to provide more power however it will not also hurt to know that the V10 engine is part of a variant that is similar to one used for the Lamborghini Gallardo which by the way is also owned by Audi.
According to Audi the V8 of 5.2 liters would require for large, heavy pistons and connecting rods. In terms of torque these requirements are appropriate however it doesn’t rev up the engine as freely for high rpm performance.
On the other hand the V10 is a free power producer delivering peak horsepower at 6,800 rpm and red line at 7,000. the peak torque 398 foot-pounds is felt at 3,000 to 4,000 rpm in which more than 90 percent of it comes on as low as 2,300 rpm. This particular launch factor which makes the Audi to standout from the rest of is competition in the luxury sedan segment.
Audi R8 makes use of a common-rail injection rather than an indirect, manifold injection that atomizes fuel directly into the engine cylinder allowing a more complete combustion giving off a more reduced emission. Buckling into the driver seat gives the feel of zipping into a hero suit with an uncanny oneness that envelope the driver.
The Audi whether in motion or not has that looks and poised that seem to say ‘I’m ready to leap’ which it will really do. The only transmission is the six-speed Tiptronic which some supercar fanatics may not consider to be a real transmission. BMW for its part is offering a six-speed manual or Sequential Manual Gearbox, a six -speed automated manual. Unfortunately there are some car purists who are not happy with BMW’s SMG as well.
In fairness to Audi, it creates a fine automated manual, the Direct Shift Gearbox, however there would be too much power going through the driveline to use it here. For its upcoming sale this fall, the automaker will offer the R-tronic “automatic” sequential manual with the R8 sports car.
The S6 Tiptronic offer a very forceful sport mode and steering wheel paddle shifters. The Tip can be used as a traditional automatic with an occasional flip of the paddle shifter of a quick downshift, full paddle-shift mode or Drive Sport mode with paddle shift.
The interiors of the R8 as expected of an Audi are rich in quality and style. The sightlines are unmatched. There’s an enormous trunk and enough back seat legroom for teens. The center rear seat is compromised by a tall transmission tunnel and stern seatback position.
The Audi R8 has power that is exuded not just in its appearance, not even on its quality features or powerful engines it’s more of how all these elements are combined together that makes the S6 one sedan to watch out for.
