The Audi S6 is a high performance version of the popular
Audi A6 sedan. The S6 was first made available in 1994 after the
A6 was introduced to replace the Audi 100. The first generation of the S6 spanned two years from 1994 until 1996. A 2.2-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine that provided plenty of power for the sporty sedan powered this first generation. This first generation S6 had a top speed of 151 miles per hour and went from 0 to 62 in just 6.1 seconds. The S6 was available with a six-speed transmission in European markets and a five-speed transmission in the United States as well as being equipped with Audi's Quattro all wheel drive system. Audi offered the S6 in two body styles: the Avant, which was a station wagon body type and a sedan. The sedan was the only model available in the United States, Asia, and Australia, though European customers were offered both body styles.
The second generation of the S6 was introduced with the 1998 model year. A 4.2 liter 40 valve V8 engine that provided a respectable 335 horsepower powered the new generation. The S6 could accelerate from 0-62 in just 5.7 seconds and from 0-124 in just 21.7 seconds. The top speed was a remarkable 155 miles per hour. Audi again made the six speed manual transmission standard as well as the Quattro all wheel drive system. This second generation of the S6 was produced through the 2003 model year.
The third generation of the Audi S6 was introduced after a hiatus at the 2006 North American International Auto show in January. The new S6 features a 5.2-liter V10 that can produce 414 horsepower and comes standard with a six speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. There is some speculation that Audi will offer a turbocharged version of this third generation later on down the road, though this cannot be confirmed.
