2016 Audi S6 and S7 review: Where power meets refinement

The Audi A6’s design has been subtle and understated ever since the current generation first rolled off the line in 2012. The new updates to the 2016 S6 and S7 take that design and make the duo appear meaner than ever before. And also faster.
 
The S6’s details are new from the hood forward. A reworked LED headlight design, a new bumper and a more pointed “Singleframe” grill give the S6 and S7 a more purposeful stance. The wheel wells are deep and defined and black high-gloss trim around the windows makes the car look aggressive. The S line also gives you a chrome lower fascia at the front and quad exhaust pipes at the rear.
 
Those rumbling pipes don’t necessarily mean you’ll be burning more fuel, however. While U.S. EPA ratings haven’t been released, assume that the new S6 and S7 will be slightly more fuel efficient than previous generations as a result of a new cylinder-on-demand engine design; when appropriate, like on the highway or in stop-start traffic, only four of the eight cylinders are activated.
 
But when you want it, more than enough power surfaces. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 puts out 450 hp (up 30) and 406 lb.-ft. of torque. According to Audi that pushes the S6 from 0-62 mph in just 4.4 seconds—faster than a base Porsche 911.  Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, and power is delivered through Audi’s all-wheel drive Quattro system. A dual-clutch seven-speed S tronic transmission marries the two together.
 
On the road, you can feel the weight of the big V8 hanging off the nose of the car. Steering in both the S6 and S7 is direct and responsive and visibility throughout the cabins are great, especially considering their size when compared to the German streets we were driving on. Adaptive air suspension comes standard on the S6 and S7, and there’s surefootedness with both machines. Push either through a corner and the rear tires feel planted, even on slightly damp, narrow, Black Forest roads. You can choose to stay in fully automatic mode, or if you are feeling particularly lively, use the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
 
The cars are rocketships on the Autobahn. Both the S6 and S7 feel firmly in control, quiet and calm – as if they’re taking grandma out for leisurely picnic.  Just one word of warning: watch that heads up display. These cars like to motor, and you’ll find yourself at jumpsuit-worthy speed in an instance. Fortunately we were in Germany.