The 2013 Audi S6 stands apart from other fast sedans with its great combination of class and quality. It has been over two decades since the S6 was first introduced in 1994, and the car is still going strong, especially considering that the S6 has only been available in the United States over sporadic periods of time. The fourth generation of this performance-enhanced version of the A6 was released just last year, bringing a lot of big changes with it. Here is a look at the 2013 Audi S6 and what it has to offer.
New For 2013
The return of the S6 is the big news for 2013. Although it has cut back on two cylinders (going from a V-10 to a V-8), it has two turbochargers and is actually quicker than before, reaching 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. At the other end of the A6 spectrum, we note the expanded availability of the 2.0T engine, which is now available in the Quattro, as well as the front-wheel drive.
Exterior
The 2013 Audi S6 has undergone a 0.4 inch reduction in height with the new adaptive suspension system. The sedan has 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, and 20-inch wheels as an option. When compared to the previous generation, the new Audi S6 looks almost the same. Most differences are subtle – the grille and bumper get some tweaks, but they are hard to point out. The biggest differences are the change in the S6 badge design and the inclusion of quad exhaust pipes.
Apart from looks, the new 2013 Audi S6 is heavier than its predecessor by 130 pounds due to the added electronics and features. The extra weight is offset by a new body which comprises of 20 percent aluminum. The engine position has been shifted farther backward, which improves the car’s corner response.
Interior & Cargo
The 2013 Audi S6 has the same level of comfort and attention to detail that anyone would come to expect from the esteemed German carmaker. The dash up front is well laid out, with great material quality and a solid finish.
Audi’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) controls navigation, communication, and entertainment features with a dash-mounted pop-up screen and buttons and knobs on the central console. This system offers increased functionality with the combination of touchpad, sharp graphics, and logically laid-out menus. Overall, the MMI system is quite intuitive. The 2013 Audi S6 is also fitted with an in-car Wi-Fi system, which uses a 3G connection to access Google Earth for navigation and Google Search for points of interest. It may not seem so at the outset, but the Google Search option is handy for anyone looking for a new hotel or restaurant.
The 2013 Audi S6 is fitted with unique instruments, as well as diamond-stitched, one-piece sport seats up front with S6 embossments as standard. Optional comfort seats are also available, but in either case, there is ample support available while driving the S6 at high speeds and enough comfort for long trips.
The rear seats of the 2013 Audi S6 have not been compromised when it comes to space or the luxury quotient. In fact, the seats offer more legroom than most other competitors on the market. The 2013 Audi S6 has a top-notch Bose music system as standard, although a more powerful Bang & Olufsen audio system is available as an option.
The 2013 Audi S6 offers a trunk space of 14.1 cubic feet, which is clearly one of the smallest sizes in the segment at present. However, the split rear seats fold down for more space and even get a pass-through to give the car some decent storage space. Nevertheless, storage is an obvious weak point in this car.
Safety
The 2013 Audi S6 is fitted with a full range of airbags, including front, side, side-curtain, and knee airbags. A rearview camera and traction and stability control is standard, as are the anti-lock brakes. Optional safety features include rear side airbags, 360-degree cameras, blind spot monitoring, a heads-up display, infrared night vision with pedestrian detection, Audi Pre Sense Plus, and adaptive headlights.
Driving Experience
The 2013 Audi S6 is fitted with a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged, V-8 engine that delivers 420 horsepower (hp) and 406 lb-ft of torque. The engine is combined with a dual-clutch, seven-speed automated manual transmission along with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
According to Audi, the S6 can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 4.8 seconds, which is one second faster than the previous-generation S6 – even with its larger V-10 engine! Along with great performance, the S6 offers good fuel economy with its cylinder deactivation system and variable valve timing. The EPA estimates of the 2013 Audi S6 are 17/27 mpg city/highway. This is 25 percent better than the previous S6 as well.
The Quattro all-wheel-drive system of the 2013 Audi S6 has a sports differential that distributes power between the left and right rear wheels. The rear-wheel bias of the all-wheel drive gives the S6 the feeling of driving a rear-wheel-drive car.
The twin-turbo engine adds to the strong personality of the car, and the transmission, adapted air suspension, and brakes play a pivotal role in this regard. The 2013 Audi S6 is not just a namesake fast car – it is genuinely rapid and offers a thrilling ride.
Despite the strong and fast ride, the 2013 Audi S6 is surprisingly refined. The air suspension successfully keeps the ride smooth and comfortable, while the low-profile tires enhance the performance. The cylinder deactivation system works quietly, delivering better fuel economy whenever possible.
Key Competitors For The 2013 Audi S6
- BMW M5
- Cadillac CTS-V
- Lexus GS450