All you designated S6 Avant (US) fans: (Autoweek 7/16)
07-18-2001, 02:16 PM
#2
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I'm really of the "so what?" opinion regarding the S6...
It's really nothing special when you consider a couple facts:
1) Lacks a 6-speed
2) Lacks a sedan version
3) Lacks torque
4) Is <i>really</i> heavy
Performance gains over a 4.2 sport? Anything more than just minimal?
Guess I'm just a sucker for the C4 S6 and the true performance/luxury nature of that car, and matching that car would be tough. Audi barely matched statistical performance, and 6 years have past. Forget modification options!
1) Lacks a 6-speed
2) Lacks a sedan version
3) Lacks torque
4) Is <i>really</i> heavy
Performance gains over a 4.2 sport? Anything more than just minimal?
Guess I'm just a sucker for the C4 S6 and the true performance/luxury nature of that car, and matching that car would be tough. Audi barely matched statistical performance, and 6 years have past. Forget modification options!
07-18-2001, 03:21 PM
#7
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No, it is something special...it may not be what you "think" an S-car "should" be...
but the fact is that it is the only non-turbocharged wagon Audi produces (for the U.S.) that has any *****. All 8-cylinder Audis in the U.S. lack a 6-speed and that is because a. the S6 is not offered with a 6spd anywhere in the world, and b. not many people would buy them if it were available.
True, a more substantial power and torque improvement over the 4.2 would be ideal, but that would also come at a significantly greater premium than this S6 commands.
If the 4.2 was offered in a 340 horsepower, 310 lb/ft torque, stiffened and improved suspension, with revised gearing ratios--and labeled the "enhanced sport package" with a $5-7k premium over the current 4.2, there is no doubt in my mind, many current 4.2 owners would have purchased it. The Avant aspect already makes up $1-2k of the premium, so the additional horsepower, torque, suspension improvements, asthetic appeal, uniqueness, ?Recaros, etc are easily worth the remaining ~$5k. Would it be worth the $20k premium of the E55...no, $5-7k..easy.
As far as heavy goes, it is listed at a mere 188 pounds heavier than the 2.7T tiptronic and 77 pounds heavier than the 2.8 Avant...not much, IMO...but it is heavy...as are ALL A6s.
Performance-wise, no one really knows...I suspect with the gearing and power and torque, 0-60 times will be somewhat better than the 4.2 and on par or better than the 2.7T stick, but it will be close. The most significant aspect of "performance", I predict will be a vast improvement in feel and connectedness with the road. This car will feel much tighter with less roll, wallow, pitch, and dive than any A6 we have in the U.S. (I suspect)
Not everyone needs to wet their shorts over this S6 Avant and maybe it doesn't meet many peoples "expectations" of what "S" really means...maybe "S" doesn't mean what some think...is the S4 really ballsy enough with a tight enough suspension to even be in the same league with the new M3? Some complain it is much too soft and slow and leans way too much. What about the S8? Is 360 HP enough for such a large car with a $75k sticker?
Maybe the RS4 and ?future RS6 are what many people want the S series to be, but they are not. They are what they are and we can choose to take them or leave them...and I appreciate your right to choose to leave it...but it is a special car, there is no other like it in the U.S. (especially since the 540 sportwagon is disappearing).
The 2.7T Avant does not interest me in the slightest...not to say it would not be awesome for many people, but it would not be an option for me.
True, a more substantial power and torque improvement over the 4.2 would be ideal, but that would also come at a significantly greater premium than this S6 commands.
If the 4.2 was offered in a 340 horsepower, 310 lb/ft torque, stiffened and improved suspension, with revised gearing ratios--and labeled the "enhanced sport package" with a $5-7k premium over the current 4.2, there is no doubt in my mind, many current 4.2 owners would have purchased it. The Avant aspect already makes up $1-2k of the premium, so the additional horsepower, torque, suspension improvements, asthetic appeal, uniqueness, ?Recaros, etc are easily worth the remaining ~$5k. Would it be worth the $20k premium of the E55...no, $5-7k..easy.
As far as heavy goes, it is listed at a mere 188 pounds heavier than the 2.7T tiptronic and 77 pounds heavier than the 2.8 Avant...not much, IMO...but it is heavy...as are ALL A6s.
Performance-wise, no one really knows...I suspect with the gearing and power and torque, 0-60 times will be somewhat better than the 4.2 and on par or better than the 2.7T stick, but it will be close. The most significant aspect of "performance", I predict will be a vast improvement in feel and connectedness with the road. This car will feel much tighter with less roll, wallow, pitch, and dive than any A6 we have in the U.S. (I suspect)
Not everyone needs to wet their shorts over this S6 Avant and maybe it doesn't meet many peoples "expectations" of what "S" really means...maybe "S" doesn't mean what some think...is the S4 really ballsy enough with a tight enough suspension to even be in the same league with the new M3? Some complain it is much too soft and slow and leans way too much. What about the S8? Is 360 HP enough for such a large car with a $75k sticker?
Maybe the RS4 and ?future RS6 are what many people want the S series to be, but they are not. They are what they are and we can choose to take them or leave them...and I appreciate your right to choose to leave it...but it is a special car, there is no other like it in the U.S. (especially since the 540 sportwagon is disappearing).
The 2.7T Avant does not interest me in the slightest...not to say it would not be awesome for many people, but it would not be an option for me.
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07-18-2001, 04:08 PM
#9
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The "what" would be that its a performance wagon..some of us want that.
I'd be happy to have either 4.2 or 2.7T avant but those are dreams in this country and Audi won't sell me one. The S6 is becoming real, that makes it distinctly different from a 2.7 avant.
07-18-2001, 04:45 PM
#10
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I've driven both the A8 and the S8...
if the difference is anywhere near the same from a 4.2 to the S6, I think most people will be happy and impressed. The difference isn't huge, but the suspension is nicely "tightened up," and the car is notably quicker. Plus, all the other additions, like seats, wheels/tires, steering wheel Tip shifters and a few other things I can't think of, make the car unique. If Audi would just offer a 6-speed, I'd probably order one...who knows, maybe I will anyway! I just love Audis!
Chris JB
00 2.7TM
Chris JB
00 2.7TM