Review: Audi C6.I S6 (2006-09)

Overview

Released in October 2006, the Audi C6 Series I (C6.I) S6 was a high performance, executive sedan. Manufactured in Neckarsulm, Germany, the Audi C6 S6 was powered by a 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic transmission and drove all four wheels via Audi’s quattro system. The C6 S6 could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds.

5.2 FSI V10 engine

The Audi S6’s 5.2-litre BXA V10 engine had an aluminium-silicon alloy crankcase and pedblate, forged crankshaft and connecting rods, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), variable intake and exhaust camshaft timing, four valves per cylinder, a variable intake manifold with dual throttle valves, direct fuel injection (Audi’s ‘Fuel Stratified Injection’ or FSI) and a compression ratio of 12.5:1.

Audi C6.I S6 specifications
	Engine	Trans.	Drive	Peak power	Peak torque
S6	5.2-litre BXA petrol V10	6sp auto	quattro	320 kW at 6800 rpm	540 Nm at 3000-4000 rpm

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to the Audi C5 S6 , the C6 S6 was 83 mm longer (at 4916 mm), 5 mm wider (1855 mm), 6 mm taller (1449 mm) and had an 84 mm longer wheelbase (2843 mm). Like the C6 A6 on which it was based, the C6 S6 had four-link front suspension with unequal length wishbones and self-tracking trapezoidal link rear suspension.

quattro

The Audi C6 S6’s quattro four-wheel drive system consisted of a Torsen T3 differential which provided a default 40:60 front:rear torque split. If traction was lost, up to 85 per cent of the engine’s torque could be directed to rear axle, or 65 per cent to the front axle. The system also included open front and rear differentials with electronic differential locks which could brake spinning wheels to enable cross-axle torque transfers. Furthermore, the ‘torque vectoring’ rear differentially operated by selectively distributing torque to the rear wheels to generate yaw and thereby correct over- or under-steer.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Audi C6 S6 included dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints, front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters for all seats.

Brakes

The Audi S6 had radially ventilated front and rear disc brakes; the front brake discs were 385 mm (diameter) by 36 mm (width) and fitted with Continental Teves two-piston sliding calipers, while the 330 mm by 22 mm rear discs had single-piston Girling-TRW calipers with an integrated electro-mechanical park brake.

Features

Standard features for the Audi C6 S6 included 19-inch alloy wheels with 265/35 R19 tyres, Audi’s Multi Media Interface (‘MMI’) with a seven-inch display, thirteen speaker stereo, six-disc CD changer, satellite navigation system, TV tuner and parking guidelines, dual zone climate control air conditioning, combination Alcantara/leather seats, power adjustable front seats with driver’s seat memory settings, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, directional bi-xenon headlights, front and rear fog lamps, daytime LED running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with gearshift paddles, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows and mirrors, heated and power folding mirrors, automatically dipping mirrors when reversing, powered tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a power sunroof, ambient lighting, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, tinted windows, rear blinds, a 12 volt power outlet, tyre pressure monitoring, an alarm and immobiliser.