Exactly why it took so long for the C8 Audi A6 and S6 to hit our shores, only Audi SA will know. What we do know is that we waited nearly two years for the model to go on sale locally. Never a volume seller for the brand locally, the A6 and S6 takes the fight to the mid-size sedan market which, admittedly, is not the strongest it has been.
But if you're like me, someone who cut their teeth on mid-size sedans and still appreciates the poise and grace of a slightly longer saloon offering, the Audi A6 will be on your radar. If you're a smidgen power-hungry, you'll have your sights set on the hottest version currently available, the S6.
Related: Audi presents its admirable A6! Virtual launch - 2020
Styling
There's no getting around the fact that the S6 is an Audi offering. It carries an unmistakable design language that hasn't changed all that much in the last decade. The changes from the 4th-generation (C7) to the current, 5th-generation (C8) S6 are not all that drastic with the biggest changes coming in the form of sharper crease lines and more defined edges.
The front presents sharper edges to the headlights and a wider grille with a more pronounced hexagon. The HD Matrix LED headlights also feature 5 LED strips that serve as DRLs and draw your attention inwards to the grille. The large air dams in the lower sections of the bumper that used to house the fog lamps, are now larger, more angular and clear of any lighting elements. This all lends to a more purposeful look for the S6.
The strong swage line that rested high up on the waist of the S6 has been smoothed out and now a strong, characterful indentation resides lower down on the doors. Moving this line has allowed the designers to add detail elements to the front and rear arches, echoing the box flare designs of the 80s that made their Audi Sport models so distinct.
Around the back the styling is a little less inspired. That's not to say that it is unattractive, but the S6 carries itself with an air of class rather than a thug-like demeanour. The stripey LED theme is continued here at the back where the taillights offer several, vertical LED elements, once again guiding your attention lower, down to the quad-exit exhaust tips and rear bumper with its faux diffuser.
Interior & Space
Let's shoot straight here and put it on record that the previous S6 was not the greatest triumph of interior design. The functional interior seemed at odds with the exterior styling and many of the elements appeared to be afterthoughts. This was at a time when infotainment screens were perched atop the dashboard and people enjoyed this approach, but I was never quite sold on the trend. The new S6 repairs some of those errors and now the interior better suits the exterior design with similar angles and flat surfaces in play.
The initial impression is one of class with swathes of brushed aluminium, Alcantara and leather with raised stitching littering the cabin. I have a few concerns about the quality of the plastic used with the steering wheel controls but for the most part, the interior feels luxurious. The quilted seats look inviting and the surfaces seem cleaner and clearer. The layout of the cabin is actually much tidier than in previous offerings for reasons that I will outline in the next section, but there is no getting around the fact that the S6 looks more VW than ever before.
Pay close attention to the design of the dashboard and facia panel and while some will recognise some BMW design elements, the most striking is the Volkswagen Polo-esque dashboard. I'm still undecided whether this counts against the S6 or for the Polo, but at the end of the day, this isn't entirely a bad thing; the horizontal lines lending to the impression of width and space. And there's no shortage of space in the S6.
At no point in time did the S6 ever feel small, cosseting or claustrophobic. Generous amounts of head-, leg-, and shoulder room makes the interior of the S6 a pleasant place to pass time. The boot will swallow a full 530-litres and several golf bags and on the S6, hands-free operation of the boot lid makes light work of any shopping adventure.
Comfort & Convenience
Never before has the S6 carried so much technology and convenience as it does in the C8 model. It's not only the hands-free boot that makes life easier but the S6 also has features like soft-close doors, rear climate control with digital controls for either rear passenger. The S6 gets a panoramic sunroof and the front seats offer electric adjustment with memory settings.
The biggest change is in the MMI Navigation Plus infotainment system and ancillary controls. In total, the S6 has three screens; one 10,1-inch screen that handles all the infotainment, vehicle settings and customization features while below it sits a smaller 8.6-inch screen that controls the climate control and allows for several shortcuts to be created for frequent functions. This design cue clears up the clutter that one would ordinarily find in the centre console and also does away with the MMI control pad and knob, leaving only a singular volume knob behind. The seat heating, climate control and demisters are all controlled through this singular screen.
They tie into the Audi Virtual Cockpit, a 12.3-inch screen in front of the driver that allows for a variety of display options. On the S6 you get to choose from a Performance layout with a bar-graph tachometer and a more traditional Sport layout with round dials.
Performance
It's here where things with the S6 get a little strange. I know its a sign of the times and I will undoubtedly receive comments saying that I should let go of the past and accept what is on front of me. I say this because the S6 has always had a little something special under the bonnet. The first S6 carried a 2.2-litre 5-cylinder and if the sound of that doesn't excite you, then we cannot be friends. You had the option of a 4.2-litre V8 as well in the first-generation C4 and this engine was carried over to the C5 generation as well. The third generation, C6, got a monstrous 5.2-litre V10. It was replaced by a twin-turbo V8 with a smaller displacement of 4.0-litres but in this new one, it's a 2.9-litre V6 TFSI with a pair of turbos.
This setup is good for 331 kW and 600 Nm, which makes it the most powerful engine ever fitted to an S6, but you know what? It lacks the thrill and character of the engines before it. That could be in part to the mild hybrid system that is in play with the C8 S6. A 48-volt electrical system provides additional power, filling in the gaps in the power delivery and allowing for improved cruising and marginally lower fuel consumption. This is the way of the future and while it is effective, it's just not as exciting as it used to be.
It will still do 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5-seconds and top out at a limited 250 km/h but it's the getting there that is more civil, less entertaining and nowhere near as exciting as before.
The S6 sends its power to all four wheels through an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox and onto the quattro all-wheel-drive system which features rear-wheel steering. At low speeds, speeds under 60 km/h, the rear wheels will turn counter to the front by up to 5-degrees. This reduces the turning circle by as much as 1-metre and helps in tight corners. Over 60 km/h they will turn in conjunction with the fronts and help improve straight-line and lane change stability.
The caveat here is that in low-speed corners, the rear-wheel steering amplifies the G-forces felt and imposed on the passengers. This throws them around unnecessarily and makes your driving feel erratic. At highway speeds, with the constant intervention of the land keep assist (which I was unable to find the Off button/setting for), it made them car sick - not something you want from a pseudo GT car. Wrap your head around it though and the S6 still has a poise and demeanour that is entertaining in the bends.
Fuel Economy
Despite what Audi says about the mild-hybrid system saving you up to 0.7 l/100km in fuel, the S6 is not what you would call economical. Spring for a diesel if you really want to get the most out of a tank. Highway cruising will be where the S6 benefits the most from the fuel savings presented by the system and Audi claims a fuel consumption figure of 8.3 l/100km.
I was a little heavy with the foot, trying to extract the most from my limited time behind the wheel and as a result, my figures were rather scary. Quick bursts will naturally see the numbers on the wrong side of 20 l/100km but over a longer period of time, my figures sat around the mid-12s.
Safety
The S6 is a safe machine, there's no doubting that. One just gets the impression that the same amount of care was taken with the safety of the occupants.
The S6 is constructed from a mix of steel and aluminium for greater rigidity and the safety systems help ensure that the S6 remains ride side up and pointing the right way. There's the usual spill of traction and stability controls, ABS with EBD and emergency braking assist. You will get 6 airbags as standard and have the option of specifying two additional airbags.
Adaptive cruise control and assist incorporates the swerve and turn assist and night vision helps identify animals, pedestrians and cyclists.
Price
There's no getting around the fact that the Audi S6 starts at R1 401 500 before you've selected a few options. Audi is improving with their options lists and is including more equipment as standard, especially in the higher-level models.
You will get a 1-year/Unlimited km warranty with the option to increase the time period as well as a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan as standard.
Competitors
The Audi S6 is not the highest-performance model in the range, that accolade will go to the RS6. As such, the S6 will compete directly not with the Mercedes-AMG E63 but rather the 6-cylinder E53 4MATIC+. The E53 produces 320 kW and 520 Nm and is priced at R1 456 000.
There is no direct BMW competitor as the 540i M-Sport falls short with 250 kW and 450 Nm while wearing a R1 160 022 price tag and the M5, with its V8 engine, makes 460 kW and 750 Nm. It comes with a heftier price too, yours for R 2 119 286.
Verdict
Some of the thrills of the S6 have been lost but in its place is more mature, cultured offering. One that doesn't offend with a raucous soundtrack and violent power delivery, but rather whisks you briskly to your destination. So if you grew up adoring the S6, this new one may be just the thing for the slightly older, more sensible you.
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