AUDI CONFIRMS S6, S7 SPORTBACK AND S8 FOR MZANSI

Audi has detailed its upcoming S6, S7 Sportback and S8 sedan during an international launch. The cars are powered by the same engine, but it puts out a different power output for the big S8. The new twin turbo V8 petrol essentially replaces the old naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10.

In terms of the S6 and S7 Sportback, the 4.0-litre motor with two turbos delivers a strong 309kW and a massive 550Nm of torque. Although it’s 11kW short on the V10, in Gauteng it would outgun the old geezer, no thanks to the high altitude that robs naturally aspirated engines of up to 17% of their stated power. As a result the S6 – which is 16mm longer than the normal A6 – is said to galavant from standstill to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds, with top speed limited to 250km/h. They say it will return 9.7 litres per 100km on average, placing 226 g/km of C02s into the atmosphere.

S7 Sportback meanwhile, does 0 – 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, returns the same fuel average and C02 emissions.

The big S8 at the top end is also fitted with the same engine. But like cousin Bentley Continental GT V8, it is elevated to 382kW and 650Nm of torque, thus thrusting it from 0 – 100km/h in 4.2 seconds, also limited to the obligatory 250km/h. The S8’s closest competitor is the Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG with a 5.5-litre twin turbo engine and 400kW.

Innovative technology used to curb excessive fuel consumption in these tough times of high petrol prices include the recuperation and start-stop systems, and also a new “cylinder on demand” cylinder management system which deactivates four of the engine’s eight cylinders under part load. Something called the Active Noise Cancellation (or ANC, awkwardly) system broadcasts antiphase sound via four cabin-mounted speakers to largely suppress external noise intrusion into the cabin.

As befitting to cars of their stature, the S6 and S7 Sportback come with a list of niceties, some standard, some you fork out extra for. On the menu are items like the new in-car WiFi introduced in Mzansi with the new facelift A4, which turns the cars into mobile WiFi Hotspots, 360° top view/ bird’s eye view camera, a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, S and V8 T badges, aluminium side mirrors, LED headlights, four tailpipes each and others.

We will see the brand new S6, S7 Sportback and S8 models in South Africa before the end of 2012.