Just like everyone else here I've been drooling over the arrival of S4 next Fall.<p>About the same time or maybe sooner, A6 might arrive with 4.2 V8. If Audi offered an A6 with 4.2 V8, QM with sports package at about the same price as an S4, I'm thinking that may not be a bad combination.<p>I have not driven an A6, but with 300hp at 3500-3600 lb weight with nice tight suspension package what do you think ?

The 4.2L V8 engined A6 will not be called an A6 and will not be priced like a S4. It will be the new S6, and will be priced considerably more than the S4. I would think the S4 is the better bet, if money is an issue. My best guess is the S6 will cost about $50-54K. That is a little bit more than the last S6 sold in 1995. Mostly speculation on my part.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<br>

Ok, Steve<p>Leaving out the money factor for a moment, what do you think about the performance of an S6 vs. S4 (Biturbo vs. V8 - Weight difference - Size) ?<br>

Actually, the A6 will be offered with the standard 300hp 4.2 V8 that is currently available in the A8. It will also be offered with a de-tuned version of the S4's 2.7 V6tt. The new S6 will at least have the 340hp 4.2 V8 from the S8. However, with the new M5 making so much power, I'd bet the S6 will come with the new 4.2 V8tt producing over 400hp. In S8+ guise it reached a top speed of around 190mph at the Nardo(?) track in Italy. Let's just hope AoA brings some of these beasts over here!<p>Kennon<br>'90 CQ

Actually, the 4.2L V8 in the A6 *will* be called an A6, but will only come with the Tiptronic. It is estimated to put out 320HP to give it a comfortable advantage over the 540i.<br>The twin-turbo version, destined only for the S6, is estimated to put out 420HP, once again to give it the nod over the M5. The S6 will only come with a 6-speed manual.<p>All of the above is via two Audi sales managers who double as factory reps.<p>-josh<br>98.5 2.8qms

Let see.. the existing S6 (1995) and actually the 100 based S4 (1994/1994) are about 3800 lbs. The A4 Quattro is from about 3150 to 3250 lbs. The new S4 will probably be in about the same range as the A4. The new S6, based on the A6, is several pounds heavier....I can't remember but probably at least 3500-3650 lbs (my quess at this point). The new S4 will probably out handle the S6 in most situations (2.7 bi-turbo S4 265 bhp) vs. (4.2 V8 S6 300 bhp). The heavier car might cruise better on the autobahn....but how many of us have access to the autobahn. The S6 + (plus) might be that barn stormer that is mentioned in one of the other posts....340 bhp. It is kinda like comparing the M3 to the existing M5. The M3 is much more manageable....with the M5 having the larger displacement engine and more HP.<p>Again, just my 2 cents worth.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<br>

Do you know whether you'll be able to get a sport suspension and better wheels with the V8 A6?<p>How much will the V8 A6 and the S6 cost?<p>When will they arrive in the US?<p>Rick<br>