2008 Audi S6 Review

The Audi S6 Quattro is a luxurious, roomy sports sedan with no less than a detuned Lamborghini Gallardo V-10 sports car engine with 435 horsepower and enough torque to snap your neck off. Imagine that.

The S6 Quattro (all-wheel-drive) is part of Audi's A6/S6 upscale mid-size sedan line, which starts with a $42,950 A6 that has a 255-horsepower V-6. A $56,300 all-wheel-drive A6 Quattro with a 350-horsepower V-8 also is offered, but the $72,350 S6 Quattro clearly is the top-line model with its V-10 engine, which has dual overhead camshafts, 40 valves and direct fuel injection.

The S6 Quattro also has such features as a special sport suspension, huge wheels and tires and a rear spoiler subtly integrated into the trunk lid. There also are lots of subtly placed "S6" logos.

It's easy to outrun most cars with the S6. It does 0-60 mph in about 5 seconds and reportedly tops out at 155 mph. You can surprise other drivers with the handsome but conservatively styled car's performance. Yet, this German hot rod is well-mannered -- the docile engine is quiet during normal operation and sounds exotic during hard acceleration, and the ride is supple.

The car comes only with a responsive six-speed automatic transmission, which upshifts smoothly and downshifts quickly. It has a manual shift feature, which seems superfluous.

The engine has so much torque, at 398 pound-feet, and the throttle is so sensitive that the S6 Quattro lurches off the line unless you give the accelerator pedal a gentle squeeze. There's no embarrassing tire squeal accompanying that lurch because the car's masterful all-wheel-drive system, which helps provide excellent stability, won't allow it.

The S6 Quattro is heavy at 4,486 pounds, so sparkling fuel economy is not to be expected with such weight and a potent 10-cylinder engine.

However, my test S6 Quattro still had three-quarters of a tank of gasoline left in the 21.1-gallon tank after 130 miles of driving -- half on fairly uncrowded expressways and the other half in stop-and-go suburban street driving. The EPA-estimated rating is 14 mpg in the city and 19 on highways, and premium fuel is required.

The brake pedal is overly soft but has a linear action and does a good job applying the powerful anti-lock brakes, which have a brake assist feature to provide surer emergency stops.

The nicely weighted speed-sensitive steering is quick and accurate. Handling is superb, helped by the wide tires, fully independent suspension and all-wheel drive system. An electronic stabilization system helps keep overly enthusiastic drivers out of trouble.

Safety features include torso-protecting front side impact- and head-protecting curtain-side air bags for all outboard occupants. Powerful "adaptive" steering-linked headlights follow the course of the road ahead, helping a driver see around corners. There are high-pressure headlight washers and no less than six windshield washer jet nozzles.

The $3,350 Technology Package is rather pricey but contains a handy rear-obstacle detection system with a rearview camera -- besides a navigation system with voice recognition and keyless access and starting.

Also, an electromechanical parking brake operated by a console switch also functions as an emergency braking feature. Optional adaptive cruise control keeps the S6 Quattro at a driver-programmed distance from the vehicle ahead.

The S6 Quattro has a quiet, uptown interior with high-grade materials and unique trim. The car is loaded with comfort and convenience equipment and has heated, heavily bolstered power front sport seats upholstered in Silk Nappa leather -- as are door panel inserts and the front center armrest.

Standard are the usual luxury car power accessories, besides items including automatic dual-zone climate control, power tilt/telescope steering column, cruise control, power glass tilt/slide sunroof, Bose Surround Sound system with a 6-disc CD changer and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

However, I found Audi's MMI (Multi Media Interface) system to be distracting. It uses a console knob and switches and a 7-inch color dashboard screen to adjust to audio, climate and other functions. Other controls are rather small but easily used.

The S6 Quattro has a 112.1-inch wheelbase and looks longer than its 193.5-inch overall length. The front cabin is roomy, but even 6-footers with long legs might find it rather difficult to operate the long-travel brake pedal when their seat is set to a comfortable driving position. The rear seat area is roomy for two tall adults, and heated backseats are optional.

Oddly, one of the two front console cupholders can be reached only by flipping up the front center armrest.

The spacious trunk has a low, wide opening and raises smoothly well out of the way on hydraulic struts. Rear seatbacks flip forward and sit virtually flat to enlarge the cargo area.

The hood raises on a strut, exposing an engine compartment that doesn't hide the impressing-looking engine with a large plastic cover.

The S6 is a highly refined, cooly sophisticated number. And just think -- you'd pay at least $180,000 to get a Lamborghini Gallardo with the V-10 engine.

2008 AUDI S6 QUATTRO

Prices: $72,350

Likes: Amazing acceleration. Luxurious. Roomy. Sedan practicality despite Lamborghini engine. Well-equipped.

Dislikes: No fuel-miser. Touchy throttle. Soft brake pedal. Distracting control screen.