Audi S6

The Audi S6 at a glance

S6 generations from C4 to e-tron

The first S6 of 1994 replaced the C4-based S4 and kept its turbocharged five-cylinder. A 4.2 V8 followed as an option, and the S6 Plus of 1996–1997 had a 240 kW version with a six-speed manual only. Audi built 855 S6 Plus Avants and 97 saloons.

The C5 S6 used a 4.2 V8 with five valves per cylinder and came as a saloon and an Avant. The C6 of 2006 took a 5.2 V10 with direct injection; Avant versions weighed about 1,970 kg. The C7 moved to a smaller 4.0 twin-turbo V8 with cylinder on demand, which shut down four cylinders at light load.

The C8 split the range. European cars got a 3.0 TDI with 700 Nm, an electric compressor and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Other markets kept a 2.9 TFSI petrol V6 with 331 kW. Production of the C8 S6 ran from July 2019 to March 2025. The name then moved to the electric S6 e-tron, revealed on 31 July 2024.

Engines and performance: from 230 PS to 551 PS

Peak power grew from 169 kW in 1994 to 405 kW in 2025, an increase of 140 % by our calculation. Weight grew too. A C4 S6 Avant weighed about 1,780 kg, or 10.5 kg per kW, while a C6 Avant carried 6.2 kg per kW. Use the 1cars comparison tool to set any S6 against a rival.

The old 1cars review covered the 2015 C7 update. In its words, the facelifted V8 rose to 331 kW (450 PS) and reached 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. It also described the self-locking centre differential, an optional sport rear differential, adaptive air suspension and optional carbon-ceramic brakes.

Saloon or Avant: dimensions and boot

These C7 figures come from the old 1cars text, based on Audi data. The S6 sits about 20 mm lower than a standard A6 and has wider arches, according to the same source. The old text put the aluminium share of the C7 body at about 20 % and claimed it was lighter than its direct rivals. The Avant adds load space for families who want one fast car for everything.

The S6 e-tron is a new design on the PPE platform; the A6 e-tron family has a drag coefficient as low as 0.21 for the Sportback and 0.24 for the Avant. Its 800-volt system charges at up to 270 kW, from 10 to 80 % in about 21 minutes.

Fuel and energy use of the S6

The C5 S6 was rated at 14.1 l/100 km for the manual saloon and 14.5 l/100 km for the tiptronic Avant. The C7 used cylinder on demand and stop-start to cut fuel use, and the C8 switched to diesel in Europe for the same reason. For the S6 e-tron, Audi quotes up to 670 km WLTP for the Sportback and 640 km for the Avant. With 94.9 kWh usable, that is about 14.2 kWh per 100 km by our calculation. Compare your own figures with the fuel cost calculator.

Standard kit and options

Typical S6 equipment includes sports seats, aluminium trim, S badges, larger brakes and sports suspension. According to the old 1cars text, the 2015 C7 added Matrix LED headlights, an 8-inch retractable screen with 4G internet, four-zone climate control and leather and Alcantara seats. Options included massage seats, night vision, Audi side assist, adaptive cruise control and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Colours such as flint grey and a deep red were new.

Euro NCAP and safety equipment

The S6 has not been tested separately. The A6 C7 saloon scored five stars in 2011, with 91 % for adult occupants, 83 % for children, 41 % for pedestrians and 86 % for safety assist. Earlier S6 models had Audi's procon-ten system (C4) and Bosch stability control (C5 onwards). The old 1cars text lists driver-fatigue warning, ISOFIX, front, side and curtain airbags and an alarm with interior sensors as standard on the C7.

How the S6 compares with BMW and Mercedes rivals

Audi has always placed the S6 below the RS 6 as the more comfortable, all-weather fast executive car, with quattro on every version. For a broader look at Audi's range, see the Audi catalogue.