Audi S6 and Audi S7 2020 Review

A wolf in sheep’s clothing. It’s a term many have applied to Audi’s performance models over the years, but it’s more appropriate than ever in the case of the new Audi S6 Sedan and Audi S7 Sportback.

The middleweight performance duo lands in Australia this month in typically understated fashion, yet bearing the sort of credentials to satisfy Jason Statham in a fast getaway (ala Transporter).

Recipients of a new Porsche-designed 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, plus more technology and safety, the upgraded Audi S6 and Audi S7 also represent more value than before too.

The Audi S6 and Audi S7 arrive in showrooms priced from $149,900 and $159,500 plus on-road costs respectively.

Those prices are hardly cheap, but according to Audi, they represent savings in the order of $20,000 on their predecessors, while also delivering more than $20,000 in additional equipment.

The S6 and S7 boast soft-close doors, an electric boot/tailgate, privacy glass, panoramic sunroof and a black exterior styling package as standard.

Inside, the S6 and S7 adopt Audi’s latest infotainment interface comprising a 10.1-inch and 8.6-inch touch-screens within the centre fascia, plus a 12.3-inch digital virtual cockpit display in the instrument cluster.

Both models gets Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, digital radio and a 705W Bang & Olufsen sound system, plus wireless phone charging, head-up display, keyless entry and start, power adjustable front sports seats with seat heating, four-zone climate control and Valcona leather upholstery with contrasting diamond pattern stitching.

As with all Audis, optional equipment packages abound for both the S6 and S7. A $7700 Dynamic Package adds variable-ratio power steering, a limited-slip rear differential and four-wheel steering.

Both models are backed by a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty – paling against five-year/unlimited kilometre provisions now offered by Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Genesis.

Capped price servicing plans are also available, spaced across 12-month/15,000km intervals. They’re hardly cheap though: a three-year plan sets buyers back $2350, while a five-year plan costs $4110.

The latest Audi S6 and S7 earn a five-star ANCAP rating, tracking back to their donor models (A6 with an August 2019 rating and A7 with an October 2018 rating).

Both models come with full airbag coverage, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep and steering assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, driver attention alert, hill start assist, tyre pressure monitoring and 360-degree camera with front and rear parking sensors.

An inherent part of the on-road safety suite is owed to Audi’s much-vaunted quattro all-wheel drive system too, which has been a four-ringed performance staple for decades.

Under the bonnet, the 2020 S6 and S7 score a new V6 developing 331kW/600Nm (the same power but 50Nm less torque than the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 it replaces), mated standard to an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

If the numbers sound familiar, that’s because the petrol six is an evolution of that used in the Audi RS 4 Avant and RS 5 Coupe and Sportback, paired in this application with an electric compressor designed to mitigate turbo lag.

As such, the Audi S6 can cover the 0-100km/h dash in a claimed 4.5 seconds, while the slightly larger and heavier S7 takes 4.6 seconds.

The electric compressor runs off a 48V mild-hybrid electric system that complements the petrol engine with up to 6kW/60Nm, and facilitates emissions-free coasting between 55-160km/h for up to 40 seconds at a time while also delivering a claimed fuel consumption average of 8.4L/100km in the case of the S6 and 8.5L/100km for the S7.

Supporting their punchy V6 engines, the Audi S6 and Audi S7 get an all-wheel drive system that defaults to a 40:60 front-rear split but is capable of apportioning up to 70 per cent of drive to the front tyres and 85 per cent rearwards if conditions demand.

Both come equipped standard with 21-inch wheels, air suspension, 400mm front-350mm rear discs clamped by red callipers, an S body kit and metallic paintwork.

Interior execution is typical Audi – a fusion of first-rate materials, Teutonic build quality and the latest technologies.

The new dual screens are all very clean and legible, but they also facilitate user-friendly access to the myriad technologies on hand.

The top screen manages infotainment, smartphone mirroring and settings, while the bottom takes care of climate control settings.

The third 12.3-inch ‘Virtual Cockpit’ display in the driver’s instrument cluster gives the drive a neat snapshot of everything, and is easily operated via steering wheel-mounted switchgear.

Offering haptic feedback, the new dual centre screen configuration is relatively fool-proof – the one exception being the positioning of the stability control button next to the Drive Select driving mode arrows (we unknowingly turned stability control off).

What the middle screens do not avoid is finger prints; half a day spent in the Audi S6 or S7 leaves the centre fascia looking like a CSI-worthy crime scene.

However, given Audi’s target buyer – predominantly male buyers on a circa $350K annual salary – it’s a gripe that isn’t likely to be compounded with kids or a car-load of passengers regularly in the car.

Speaking of which, passenger amenity is resoundingly strong in the S6 and S7, with both offering decent second row proportions, adequate storage and comfortable seats. Granted, neither will challenge the popular SUV, but they’re clever and functional nonetheless.

Four-zone climate control, split/folding seats, ISOFIX child attachment points and four USB ports inside the cabin lend the S6 and S7 plenty of day-to-day merit.

The Audi S6 is the roomier of the two in terms of second-row space – a virtue of its more conventional roofline and broader seats – however, the Audi S7 wins back points for its excellent lift back boot design – offering against 535 litres against 530 litres in the S6, along with a larger aperture.

Both cars offer a space-saver spare tyre, along with four tie-down points in the boot.

The Audi S6 and Audi S7 might differ slightly in their briefs, but the driving experience is resoundingly similar: both are consummate all-rounders.

The combination of air suspension, clever electronics and all-wheel drive grip endow the S6 and S7 with excellent open-road traits. They dispatch bumps almost nonchalantly, enabling serene-like progress on B-grade roads with minimal noise or intrusion.

There’s a slightly digitised veneer to the key controls – the steering is light and assisted but suddenly becomes artificially heavy in Dynamic mode – allowing either car to glide through mid-corner bumps.

Combine those traits with the all-wheel drive system and electronics affords the S6 and S7 with an incredible, almost fool-proof safety net when driven fast. In other words, you’d need to be very ham-fisted for things to go awry.

Whereas the Audi S6 – fitted with Audi’s Dynamic Package, granted – rotates with more expediency and blasts clinically out of corners, the longer, wider and lower (and standard) S7 feels its 2.0-tonne weight more through changes in direction.

The Audi S7 is also more sensitive to mid-corner throttle inputs, with a tendency to push the front wheels wide through corners and waft over imperfections.

Under the bonnet, the new V6 is a far cry from the howling Audi V8s and V10s of yesteryear, but what it foregoes in visceral sound and emotion it makes up for with spellbinding power delivery.

Thanks to its electrical augmentation, the V6 creates linear and effortless power virtually everywhere; a minor hesitation upon initially applying the accelerator is a very small blight on an otherwise faultless power band.

Officially, peak torque materialises over 1900-5000rpm, while peak power arrives at a lofty 5700-6700rpm. At highway speeds, the engine spins barely above idle.

The petrol six is relatively efficient in real-world driving, too; we managed a combined rating of 10.0L/100km with little fuss.

The Audi S6 and S7 are better than their forebears in every measureable area, ably delivering adept performance, refinement and top-flight safety and technology.

Neither are visceral, knock-your-socks-off sports sedans – their understated exteriors are a true portent on that front – but both are ridiculously capable in touring and headier capacities.

For the shrinking customer base not interested in performance SUVs (we doff our hats to you), the Audi S6 and Audi S7 are cars to get excited about – in a stealthy, quietly contented kind of way.

How much does the 2020 Audi S6 Sedan cost?
Price: $149,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6
Output: 331kW/600Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 197g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

How much does the 2020 Audi S7 Sportback cost?
Price: $159,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6
Output: 331kW/600Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 199g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2018)