This year, at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, the German carmaker will be bringing plenty of sports models and Audi is no exception to that, the Inglostadt based carmaker bringing not one, not two, but three new members of the “S” range, the Audi S6, Audi S7 and the Audi S8, all having two things in common: the “S” badge and the 4.0-liter TFSI V8 engine.
The first one on the list is the Audi S6, which will be presented in both body types, sedan and the “Avant” wagon. The car is powered by the twin-turbo V8 TFSI engine that delivers 420 hp and 550 Nm of maximum torque available between 1,400 and 5,300 rpm. Looking at the new engine, we’re talking about a serious downsize, considering the previous generation was powered by a 5.2-liter V10. However, even though the new engine offers 15 hp less, the peak torque increased by 10 Nm and the performance figures are also better in the new model: 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds (the Avant is a little slower, with 4.9 seconds), 0.5 seconds faster than the previous generation. As we expected, the top speed is electronically limited at 250 km/h (155 mph).
What we didn’t expect is the impressive fuel economy, 25 percent better than the current S6, the average figure released by Audi being 9.7 liters per 100 km (24 mpg). To achieve this, the S6 comes equipped with a Start/Stop system and also with a system Audi calls “cylinder on demand” which detects when not all the cylinders are required and cuts down up to 4 cylinders. Of course, talking about an “S” model, the new S6 comes with Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system using a central locking differential, with a limited slip differential being offered as an option. As standard, the S6 features adaptive suspension with a sports mode and rear/front ventilated brake discs, customers also being able to choose a set of high-performance ceramic brake discs.
According to the press release, for the new S6, Audi has also developed a special soundproofing system called Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) which uses four microphones installed inside to analyze the level and type of sounds in the interior. The results are then analyzed by a computer and the sound system start playing special a special sound that cancels the uncomfortable sounds. And speaking of the interior, it’s customized in the “S” spirit with carbon fiber inserts, great sport seats and high quality materials.
As for the S7, it is basically identical to the S6 in almost every aspect, including the engine, power and torque output, acceleration, top speed, the only difference being that it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds, just like the S6 Avant, 0.1 seconds slower than the Sedan version of the S6.
The Audi S8, even though it will make its debut in less than two weeks, will only hit showrooms next Spring. Under the bonnet, Audi is going with the same downsizing strategy, the same engine powering the car, except that in the S8’s case it delivers 520 hp and 650 Nm between 1,700 and 5,500 rpm. Looking at the performance figures, the S8 definitely impresses: 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). And we’re talking about a car weighting almost 2 tons. The average fuel consumption is 10.2 liters per 100 km (23 mpg), an improvement of almost 30 percent compared to the previous generation, possible, of course, thanks to the same “cylinder on demand” system from the S6 and S7.
The new S8 is equipped with an eight-speed S-Tronic automatic transmission, a limited slip differential on the rear axle and an advanced braking system with large ventilated disc, with ceramic discs offered as an option, plus that all of the optional features on the A8 will also be available on the S8 too.