FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: S six, seven, eight

Audi is set to reveal three new S models at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show: the S6, S7 and S8.

Characterised by high performance and the latest fuel-saving technologies, the three-model lineup begins with S6 and S6 Avant. Audi says both models are "sports cars for everyday use", each motivated by a new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 developing 309kW/550Nm.

The cars accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.8 and 4.9 seconds respectively, while still achieving respectable fuel consumption. By comparison to the now superseded 5.2-litre V10, the new 4.0 TFSI engine consumes as much as 25 per cent less fuel, now rated at 9.7L/100km in S6 and 9.8L/100km in S6 Avant. Contributing to this figure is brake energy recuperation, idle stop/start and cylinder on demand systems.

Power is put to the road via a seven-speed transmission and quattro all-wheel drive with optional sports differential. Adaptive air suspension is also optional, the system's variable dampers lowering the body by 10mm, as are carbon ceramic brakes. S6 and S6 Avant ride on cast aluminium rims measuring 19 x 8.5 inches, shod with 255/40 series rubber. 20-inch alloys are optional.

Inside, the sporty 6 range is offered with a leather sport steering wheel with coloured stitching, aluminium paddle shifts, illuminated door sills and aluminium-look pedals. Decorative inlays are available in a choice of four materials with three complementing upholstery styles. All of the high-end options available elsewhere in the A6 model series are also available for the new S variants.

Next to receive the S treatment is Audi's stylish S7 Sportback. Using the same 4.0 TFSI engine from S6 and S6 Avant, the S7 Sportback accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds and consumes just 9.7L/100km, measured in accordance with combined-cycle testing. The sporty four-door coupe also features the same fuel saving technologies as its S6 sibling, runs quattro all-wheel drive and is fitted exclusively with Audi's seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission.

Offered as standard with adaptive air suspension and Audi's direct select dynamics system, the S7 Sportback rides on 19-inch alloy wheels with carbon ceramic disc brakes again offered optionally. Trim highlights are again similar to those found in S6 and S6 Avant, S7 Sportback's standard equipment list extended to include xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lamps and colour driver information display on top of the usual A7 Sportback features.

Finally, the Audi S8 is promoted as the new head of the flagship model's range. Boasting all the luxury of its derivative model, the S8 is powered by a 382kW/650Nm version of the same 4.0 TFSI engine found in S6 and S7. 0-100km/h is dealt with in 4.2 seconds, while average fuel consumption is rated at 10.2L/100km – a 23 per cent improvement over the previous model's figure, despite a 51kW increase in output.

All the fuel saving technologies listed previously are fitted as standard to the S8, with power delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed tiptonic transmission. The chassis is equipped with a specially tuned adaptive air suspension system, its wheel measuring 20 x 9.0 inches. Carbon ceramic discs are again offered optionally.

The interior shares many of the attributes listed across previous S models, highlighted with S8 logos. S8 is also equipped with LED headlamps, massaging leather seats, double glazing and a 19-speaker, 1400-watt Bang & Olufsen 'Advanced Sound System'.

The new Audi S6, S6 Avant, S7 Sportback and S8 will go on sale in Europe from Q2, 2012. Australian delivery times and pricing are yet to be confirmed.

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