Audi S6 2007

With the V10 configuration of the Lamborghini Gallardo (with an increase in displacement, no less!) and direction injection FSI technology from the R8 LeMans car, the S6's 5.2-litre powerplant certainly has the pedigree that marketing departments can turn into the stuff of dreams. This is the S-line 6-series, not the M5 / E63 AMG challenging RS-, so it makes do with 435 hp (DIN) and 398 lb-ft of torque, more on both counts that say, the E39 M5, and stronger on the second even than the Gallardo. Together with the six-speed Tiptronic gearbox, the V10 registers a big improvement in performance over the previous generation V8 S6, and even gets a few more miles of pleasure from every gallon.The V10's playground is the open highway, where it registers triple digit speeds with ease, and makes a glorious sound that Audi's engineers have exploited by directing intake noises toward the cabin. The extensive use of aluminium in the suspension and the rear-biased quattro awd system means it also handles with more neutrality and finesse than before, although the stiffly-damped ride is jarring on anything but smooth or undulating pavement. The electro-hydraulic speed-sensitive Servotronic steering has also been recalibrated, giving somewhat more feel in this application and improving a problem with Audi's previous big sedans, while remaining very precise at high speeds.The interior is trimmed in much the same way as that of the A6, which is no bad thing, and features optional carbon-fibre inserts. Externally, The S's big-mesh grille, 19-inch double spoke alloys, quad-exhaust and red S-line badges are aggressive and elegant, while the engine bay's V10 5.2 badges certainly look potent. The S6 is available now on the Continent and coming to North America in November 2006, priced at about 55,000£ / 75,000USD. - by Traian Popescu

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