Audi S6 and S7 TDI: the German brand's first batch of diesel performance cars arrives with 350 CV and mild-hybrid technology

Diesel engines have been in everyone’s sights, yet today we have brands such as Audi that have set out, without hesitation, not only to save this fuel but also to pair it with the word “performance” and to stop anyone from questioning that match. The S6 and S7 TDI are the two latest additions to the S division of the brand with the four rings, which is presented as the entry point to its high-performance vehicles. At the same time, and for the first time in Audi’s history, both the A6 and the A7 have adopted an S variant whose main foundation is diesel, seasoned with high doses of aggressiveness and sportiness.

First came the SQ5, then the SQ7, and now it is the turn of the traditional saloon and the four-door coupé. This is how the German brand aims to prove that diesel vehicles still have a lot to offer and, thanks to mild-hybrid technology, it is possible to deliver a higher level of performance while considerably reducing emissions, something that happens with the new S6 and S7 TDI.

A subtle yet muscular look

However, Audi has not forgotten about aesthetics in these two latest additions, which feature a series of traits specific to the S6 and S7 badges. With this premise, the brand with the four rings has managed to endow its quintessential saloon and four-door coupé with a sportiness and aggressiveness worth admiring but, at the same time, we continue to notice how the brand has kept its distinctive elegance intact.

At first glance we find a large grille on both models, with the Singleframe design retained on the S7. We should also highlight a new, sharper splitter, which seeks to provide a more assertive look and greater aerodynamic efficiency capable of handling the new power that both models are able to deliver.

Elsewhere we can see a blade running across the entire grille, finished in chrome, the same finish used on the wing mirrors. The side is accented by large alloy wheels of a specific design, which are quickly framed by the rear, where the S6 adopts a sinuous spoiler and a diffuser capable of housing four real, cylindrical exhaust outlets.

The cabin has also been adapted to match the level of exclusivity offered by the Audi S6 and S7. Leather and Alcantara appear throughout, along with sports-cut seats designed to hold their occupants more firmly. Last but not least, we find a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a trait typical of the S and RS models from the German brand.

A TDI V6 ready for anything with the help of micro-hybridisation

Despite the significant aesthetic changes compared with the standard variants of both models, the true star and the reason for the S6 and S7 TDI is their engine. Beneath the bonnet of both vehicles sits a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 capable of generating 350 CV of power and 700 Nm of torque. These figures allow the 0 to 100 km/h sprint to take 5 seconds in the S6 and 5.1 in the S6 Avant and S7 Sportback, while the top speed is 250 km/h across all variants.

This performance is managed through an automatic gearbox and the familiar Quattro all-wheel drive. Under normal conditions, however, the engineers at Audi have set up the system so that the self-locking centre differential distributes torque between the front and rear axles in a 60:40 ratio. If grip is lost, the system sends power to the wheels that need it most, capable of directing 70% to the front axle and 85% to the rear under extreme conditions.

At the same time, special mention should be made of the 48V electric motor found in both the Audi S6 and the S7. The BAS, the name used for the electric motor, is connected directly to the crankshaft and takes on the functions of the alternator and starter motor. During deceleration it can recover up to 8 kW of electrical energy, which is stored in a 10 Ah battery under the boot floor and, when the driver accelerates, the combustion engine restarts automatically.

Another function of the mild-hybrid system is to activate the start/stop system from 22 km/h. Thanks to this, the mild-hybrid setup and the vehicle’s sensors, both the Audi S6 and the S7 can save up to 0.4 litres of fuel every 100 km, a figure well worth noting.

There will be a petrol V6 for the rest of the world, but will it reach Europe?

Audi has confirmed that the other markets will have an S6 and an S7 petrol, which will also use a V6. To be more specific, it is a 2.9-litre turbocharged engine capable of generating 450 CV of power and 600 Nm of torque, figures that will also serve as a preview of the future RS6 and RS7.

For now we do not know whether the German brand plans to offer this option in the European market, but it could be a long-term strategy. If so, Audi’s potential customers could have more options to suit their tastes and needs, allowing them to choose between a high-performance diesel engine that delivers considerably lower consumption and a more powerful petrol V6 with a similar character.

Prices for the Audi S6 and S7 are still a mystery, but the brand has already confirmed the outlay required to buy them in Germany. The Audi S6 will have a starting price in its home country of 76,500 euros, rising to 79,000 euros if you opt for the Avant variant, and reaching 82,750 euros for the S7 Sportback. Sales in Spain will begin in May, when we will learn their prices for our country.