Audi S6 Generations: Key Updates Across All Model Years

Sure fashions from Audi’s complete catalog appear to all the time steal the highlight, be it the now-discontinued flagship Audi R8, or the last word daily-driver RS6. Nevertheless, it is easy to argue that the much less flamboyant fashions of the vary are the true candy spot, such because the Audi S6, as they nonetheless supply tire-shredding efficiency, however with out the shouty aesthetics and six-figure value tags. If that is an opinion you will get onboard with, then take pleasure in wanting throughout all Audi S6 generations beneath, as we discover how every developed from one into the following.

This text takes a take a look at the manufacturing historical past of the Audi S6. All details and figures have been sourced from the producer immediately, the place potential. Solely iterations of the Audi S6 which have been bought in North America when new are featured.

2024-2025 Audi S6 C8 (fifth Gen) Facelift

As grew to become typical for the Audi S6, the C8 technology underwent a light-weight refresh for the 2024 mannequin yr. New grilles, revised lights, and a smattering of different small modifications make sure the sleeper sedan appears its greatest, and continues to be related in what has grow to be a small however fiercely aggressive section of the market. The facelift launched no updates beneath the hood, although, which meant no extra efficiency for facelift prospects.

• Output stays unchanged at 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque
• Daring grilles and hanging alloy wheel designs set the facelift mannequin other than earlier C8-gen examples

That is the newest and due to this fact present Audi S6, and as such it is probably the most up-to-date ever launched. This yr additionally celebrates 30 years of Audi S6 gross sales within the US, and throughout these years this usually overlooked and undervalued sleeper has undergone a smattering of modifications, though the enchantment and primary temporary have remained fixed, with delicate appears, heaps of energy, and all-wheel-drive assured by all S6 generations.

 

2020-2023 Audi S6 C8 (fifth Gen)

This was not the primary time that downsizing struck the S6, as as soon as the mannequin sported a V10 engine, however then was changed by a V8-powered technology. Nevertheless, in 2020, this V6 Audi S6 changed that very V8 technology, as soon as once more within the title of constructing even probably the most performance-orientated fashions within the vary extra environment friendly. Due to twin-turbochargers, although, output didn’t drop, and actually remained fixed with 444 horses galloping away beneath the hood.

• Regardless of shedding two cylinders, the C8 Audi S6 continues to be simply as highly effective because the previous mannequin
• This technology of S6 was the primary to solely be accessible as a sedan

Whereas the previous-gen S6 was accessible as each a sedan and wagon, the C8 S6 was solely accessible as a sedan in North America. For people who require an enormous trunk and heaps of energy, the RS6 Avant stood out as the plain resolution – though that after all comes with a major value premium.

 

2016-2018 Audi S6 C7 (4th Gen) Facelift

Tweaks to the entrance and rear fascia, a brand new infotainment system, and revised LED headlights offered the C7-gen Audi S6 with a barely brisker face, enabling it to proceed wanting sharp within the face of competitors for a number of extra years. Moreover, tweaks beneath the hood noticed this S6 prevail as probably the most highly effective of all Audi S6 mannequin years, boasting nearly 30 horsepower greater than pre-facelift fashions.

• Beauty tweaks ensured the S6 appeared contemporary; chief among the many updates have been revised entrance and rear fascias, plus new LED headlights
• An influence enhance noticed the S6 now produce 444 horsepower

Obtainable now from the S6’s twin-turbocharged V8 was 444 horses – greater than the first-generation Audi R8 V8, and nearly double what the first-gen S6 Avant supplied again within the mid-to-late Nineteen Nineties.

 

2013-2015 Audi S6 C7 (4th Gen)

When the fourth-generation Audi S6 arrived, it might simply be argued that Audi took a backwards step, by changing the monstrous and naturally aspirated V10 engine with a boosted V8. Nevertheless, this was merely an indication of the occasions, as producers by this level have been all feeling the strain to downsize from high-capacity engines within the title of boosting effectivity. Luckily, this didn’t come on the expense of efficiency.

• Audi returned to eight-cylinder energy with the C7 Audi S6
• Sedan or Avant – prospects in North America might choose from each

Though it did lack ever-so-slightly when it comes to sheer output, with 420 horses onboard, this technology of S6 was nonetheless no slouch. Moreover, for the primary time, North Individuals got the selection between sedan and wagon physique kinds.

 

2009-2011 Audi S6 C6 (third Gen) Facelift

To the untrained eye, there’s little or no to separate the pre- and post-facelift C6-generation of Audi S6, and the untrained eye would largely be right, as the 2 are very comparable certainly. Probably the most notable variations are the profile of the taillights, and particulars inside the entrance grille – each of which did properly to brighten up the S6’s design, and maintain it wanting contemporary within the face of latest competitors.

• Delicate tweaks to the S6’s styling helped to extend its life available on the market
• Energy output remained unchanged at 435 horsepower

Beneath the hood, nothing had modified, which meant the identical 435-horsepower, 5.2-liter V10 remained the only engine possibility, as did a six-speed automated transmission. A Quattro all-wheel-drive system and sizable brakes work exhausting to maintain all the pieces pointing in the precise route, options which are noticed (and required) in all Audi S6 fashions.

 

2007-2008 Audi S6 C6 (third Gen)

For a lot of, the third-generation of Audi S6 is probably the most iconic and most memorable, and the reasoning behind that is fairly easy – Audi placed a 5.2-liter V10 under the hood of a mid-level executive sedan. In at the moment’s world of downsizing and hybridizing, this might by no means occur, which actually boosts the enchantment of older, loopy creations like this. The V10 which powers this smooth S6 is, in distinction to common opinion, not the identical V10 which powers the Lamborghini Gallardo of the identical period, though there are similarities between the 2 engines.

• Third-gen S6 fashions have been accessible as each a sedan and wagon, however solely as a sedan in North America
• This period of S6 boasted a 5.2-liter V10 – the most important engine of all S6 iterations, by each capability and cylinder-count

In distinction to previous-gen S6 fashions, the S6 was solely bought to North Individuals in sedan guise, though wagon fashions have been accessible in different markets. Nevertheless, the S6 adopted within the footsteps of earlier fashions nonetheless by sporting subdued bodywork, a well-optioned cabin, and all-wheel-drive, which by this level was certainly a necessity, because of the 435-horsepower powerplant sitting up-front.

 

1999-2003 Audi S6 C5 (2nd Gen)

Following on from the first-gen S6, the C5-generation automobile employed lots of the identical advantages, together with a Quattro all-wheel-drive system, an Avant physique type, and an under-the-radar strategy to styling. Whereas the arches of this technology are actually extra pronounced, and the dual-exit exhaust instructions a contact extra consideration, the C5 S6 continues to be a reasonably subdued efficiency automobile, which does little to shout in regards to the efficiency which lies inside.

• The C5-gen S6 was solely accessible as an Avant for the North American market
• Efficiency swelled for the C5-gen mannequin, because the S6 swapped out the ageing inline-five for a large-capacity V8 engine

Obtainable from the 4.2-liter V8 is a complete of 340 horsepower, which Audi hooked as much as both a six-speed handbook or five-speed automated transmission. As all the time, all-wheel-drive saved the S6 Avant’s energy in examine. Inside, the S6 got here well-equipped as normal, with leather-based seats, a sports activities steering wheel, and superior local weather management.

 

1995-1997 Audi S6 C4 (1st Gen)

The first generation of Audi S6 is one thing of a unicorn nowadays, within the truth it is more and more uncommon, and infrequently noticed within the wild. When it first launched within the mid Nineteen Nineties, it was solely accessible as an Avant – that is Audi-speak for wagon – for the North American market, and was one of many very first quick Audi fashions to put on the S/RS moniker, following on from the now iconic RS2 Avant.

• A boosted inline-five hooked as much as a five-speed handbook transmission cemented the C4-gen S6 Avant as a real driver’s automobile
• First-gen S6 fashions have been sure-footed, because of benefiting from a Quattro all-wheel-drive system

If it wasn’t for the S-badging, it could be simple to look previous the first-gen S6 as simply one other wagon. The styling is past delicate – there aren’t any gaping grilles or bulging arches, and only a single tailpipe juts out from the rear bumper. Nevertheless, beneath the hood lies a characterful and turbocharged inline-five, which kicks out 227 horsepower, which is then dispersed to all 4 wheels by way of a Quattro all-wheel-drive system.