SPY PICS: Audi S6, S7 facelift

Audi is this week launching its facelifted A8 and S8 limousines in Australia and it appears a similar midlife makeover is also being prepared for the German brand’s A6-based S6 and A7-based S7.

The current Audi S6 and S7 models are approaching two years old in Australia, and this mid-cycle upgrade will carry the hot large sedan and hatch models through to the next generation.

These smothered-in-disguise Automedia spy photos shot at the Nurburgring (S6) and on the streets of Germany (S7) don’t give a lot of detail but do suggest the new models, when they emerge in Europe later this year or early next year, won’t come with any dramatic changes.

Although the spy pics indicate there will be some reworking in the obvious areas – notably the front-end, where it appears the outboard air vents will be redesigned, accompanied by some minor attention to the rear bumper and, probably, tail-lights – there’s not a lot to say that any significant visual changes will be forthcoming.

What would be worth betting on though is the adoption of Audi’s Matrix LED headlights incorporating new anti-glare technology that uses multiple, individually controlled LEDs to allow the selection of high beam without blinding oncoming traffic.

Mechanically, it is possible Audi may beef up the power of the current 309kW/550Nm twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, maybe bringing its output to a similar level to the previous 320kW V10 – and closer to the 412kW/700Nm outputs of the more highly strung biturbo V8 in the RS 6 and RS 7, upgraded versions of which should follow.

Not that it would really need it. Currently the two-tonne S7, with its seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch auto transmission, accelerates from zero to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds.

Word is that the hot large Audis will also get interior updates including redesigned trim and adoption of the updated MMI (Multi Media Interface) iDrive-style infotainment system seen on the top-shelf A8.

Sold locally as limited-edition models, the S6 and S7 barely register a blip on Audi sales, but are significant halo models broadcasting the third-echelon German company’s prowess as a maker of high-performance all-wheel drive luxury cars.