310 HP 5500-6500 RPM
325 lb-ft 2900-4500 RPM
0-60 5.3 seconds
8 speed tiptronic (7 spd s-tronic not available in US for some reason)
19 mpg city, 28 highway
Curb weight 4045 lbs

Not too shabby for a luxury-focused car.
The 2011 S4 is 333HP @5500-7000 RPM, 325 lb-ft @ 2900-5300 RPM, 0-60 in 4.9.

I'll probably have a look at the new A6 since it costs me nothing to look. I think it's probably too big, and would cost more than the S4 I'm considering.

Link to full 2012 A6 brochure if anyone else is interested:
http://microsites.audiusa.com/ngw/12/A6/Brochure/2012_A6_Brochure.pdf
Looks like ADS is standard on all models?

310 HP 5500-6500 RPM
325 lb-ft 2900-4500 RPM
0-60 5.3 seconds
8 speed tiptronic (7 spd s-tronic not available in US for some reason)
19 mpg city, 28 highway
Curb weight 4045 lbs

Not too shabby for a luxury-focused car.
The 2011 S4 is 333HP @5500-7000 RPM, 325 lb-ft @ 2900-5300 RPM, 0-60 in 4.9.

I'll probably have a look at the new A6 since it costs me nothing to look. I think it's probably too big, and would cost more than the S4 I'm considering.

Link to full 2012 A6 brochure if anyone else is interested:
http://microsites.audiusa.com/ngw/12/A6/Brochure/2012_A6_Brochure.pdf
Looks like ADS is standard on all models?

The 2012 A6 is up on Audi USA's web site. you can configure it as you wish (see link). Looks like to me will be more expensive than S4 in equivalent trim. Check it out.

http://configurator.audiusa.com/acc/aoa-aoa-aoa-eng.view?msk=4#engine

Bruce

310 HP 5500-6500 RPM
325 lb-ft 2900-4500 RPM
0-60 5.3 seconds
8 speed tiptronic (7 spd s-tronic not available in US for some reason)
19 mpg city, 28 highway
Curb weight 4045 lbs

Not too shabby for a luxury-focused car.
The 2011 S4 is 333HP @5500-7000 RPM, 325 lb-ft @ 2900-5300 RPM, 0-60 in 4.9.

I'll probably have a look at the new A6 since it costs me nothing to look. I think it's probably too big, and would cost more than the S4 I'm considering.

Link to full 2012 A6 brochure if anyone else is interested:
http://microsites.audiusa.com/ngw/12/A6/Brochure/2012_A6_Brochure.pdf
Looks like ADS is standard on all models?



The A6 is beautiful, makes great use of aluminium to save weight and with a tune will be pretty interesting. The interior is stunning. I love the modern wood.

Overall, pretty interesting. Word is that it weighs just about the same as a B8 S4...so eliminate the boost limiter (which APR and Stasis are selling an a $1500 'engine calibration' lol) and you're making probably a legit 380-385hp. That's pretty special.

The only thing that may be a concern is the gearing on the 8 speeder. Most 8 speed transmissions (and 7 speeds) hunt constantly, and that could get annoying.

Bottom line is that it will probably cost more than an S4, but don't forget the A6 comes LOADED.

Whoa, WTH! The A6 comes in Quartz?!?

Wow, pricey when equipped as most would like @ $70-$75K MSRP.

Agree, the interior is stunning. Wow! With an A6, I would have gone a completely different direction with color options on the interior and exterior though, and lost the appeal that the S4 has. The S6 is gonna be sick though - if Audi makes one (guessing they will).

That pop-up nav would take some getting use to, but I could probably deal.

And its a Tiptronic not a S tronic.

And its a Tiptronic not a S tronic.

Could you (or anyone that wants to) try your hand at explaining, from the driver's perspective, the differences you'd notice between driving a tiptronic vs an s-tronic?

Also, any guess as to why Audi would not offer the s-tronic for US A6's?

Could you (or anyone that wants to) try your hand at explaining, from the driver's perspective, the differences you'd notice between driving a tiptronic vs an s-tronic?

Also, any guess as to why Audi would not offer the s-tronic for US A6's?

DrGP is a 6MT guy.

Bruce

Could you (or anyone that wants to) try your hand at explaining, from the driver's perspective, the differences you'd notice between driving a tiptronic vs an s-tronic?

Also, any guess as to why Audi would not offer the s-tronic for US A6's?

IMO no comparison between the best traditional automatic vs s-tronic. I had a DSG (now s-tronic) in my A3 and it was my first automatic after 3 manual cars. I *loved* it. I got a Q5 after that, and although it is available in rest-of-world with the 7-speed S-tronic, it never came to NA. The 6-speed tiptronic felt slow to upshift and doesn't downshift isntantly like the S-tronic with rev-matching. Having come from manual cars, I love the sensation of the s-tronic because I can tell when the clutches are engaged, when it engages and creeps forward, when the car is rolling to a stop with the clutches disengaged etc, its a familiar feeling to a manual. If I recall correctly, this same feeling that I described was foreign to some people who drove the DSG and they complained in JD Power surveys that the DSG was 'abrupt' and 'bouncy' and didn't act like a torque-converter automatic. Consequently Audi stayed away from bringing in S-tronic to the NA market except in performance cars where the benefits clearly outweighed the risk of customer complaints.

Could you (or anyone that wants to) try your hand at explaining, from the driver's perspective, the differences you'd notice between driving a tiptronic vs an s-tronic?

Also, any guess as to why Audi would not offer the s-tronic for US A6's?

Pretty simple. The S tronic is NOT an automatic transmission. It is a true manual transmission with 2 automated computer controlled clutches. It does not have a clutch pedal and the shifting when in drag racing or tracking is almost instantaneous. It can be put in 'Drive" and driven just like an automatic transmission. The Tiptronic is a true automatic transmission with a torque converter. Driving around town, you might not notice much of a difference. Perhaps the tiptronic will be smoother shifting and less precise. Can't say for sure, since I have only had 6 MTs. But I did drive a DCT M3 (BMW's version of the Dual clutch Transmission) and I was very impressed with the instantaneous up shifting. Still don't want one. But would prefer it to the automatic trans with torque converter.

Whatever happened to that cool bamboo trim option that they showed off way back when? Does anyone remember that? Or am I thinkin of a different car? It was a lighter colored wood whose grain was all parallel and made long horizontal lines across the trim sections. It looked so modern; I can't even find a picture of it now. It certainly doesn't seem like an option now, if it ever was...

The new A6 Prestige is not that much more expensive than the S4 when equally equipped (not with the full LED headlights and the innovation package). It is essentially the same price, with a Bose stereo instead of the B&O in the S4. The A6 B&O is a $6000 option though, so it may be a but better than the stereo in the S4.

The new A6 Prestige is not that much more expensive than the S4 when equally equipped (not with the full LED headlights and the innovation package). It is essentially the same price, with a Bose stereo instead of the B&O in the S4. The A6 B&O is a $6000 option though, so it may be a but better than the stereo in the S4.

Yep, looks like you have to get the prestige package to get ventilated seats. I'll have to see how well they work, but that would be a great option if they work well.

Not sure I am sold on the new Audi "Cylon Raider" front end. At least on the A8 I find it does not look as good in person as it does in the photos. Also, a front license plate IMHO, totally ruins it.

I do wish the S4 had ventilated seats...especially this time of year and with black leather interior.

Whatever happened to that cool bamboo trim option that they showed off way back when? Does anyone remember that? Or am I thinkin of a different car? It was a lighter colored wood whose grain was all parallel and made long horizontal lines across the trim sections. It looked so modern; I can't even find a picture of it now. It certainly doesn't seem like an option now, if it ever was...

The wood you are thinking of is called layered oak. it will be late availability. And it is stunning

The wood you are thinking of is called layered oak. it will be late availability. And it is stunning

That's the one! Sick!

Here's a pic of the layered Oak. Never heard of it so I looked it up. Hopefully it attaches.

If it's a option for the 2013 S4, I may get it.

----Editorial Note----

I started this thread in the B8 S4 forum 4 days ago because I thought there was no C7 A6 forum (wasn't in the main drop down menu), and the B8 S4 forum was where I spent all my time.

Then by accident I found this forum a couple days ago, and yesterday a C7 A6 link was added to the main drop down menu. Today it was moved over here.

So it's mostly redundant with what's already in this forum. Sorry about that.

----Editorial Note----

I started this thread in the B8 S4 forum 4 days ago because I thought there was no C7 A6 forum (wasn't in the main drop down menu), and the B8 S4 forum was where I spent all my time.

Then by accident I found this forum a couple days ago, and yesterday a C7 A6 link was added to the main drop down menu. Today it was moved over here.

So it's mostly redundant with what's already in this forum. Sorry about that.

No apologies needed - you did right thing!
Thank you for starting great thread! http://forumkiev.com/images/smilies/thank_you.gif

So s tronic on s4 was quick and I too was concerned when I heard it wasn available on the a6. People in the know said the new tranny was comparable, honestly it's def not as quick shifting, but I've only had the car a week and haven't really opened it up yet. It's def better then old a4 2003, 2006 and a6 2008 tiptronics we had before. Quicker shifts.
I could see why audi USA opted for this tranny. The early s4 s tronic programming had a really rough 1 gear engage. I drove a gallardo once and it felt rough like that car. Then a couple of months later they had a reprogram that made it smoother. Maybe this wouldn't translate well enough to a6 buyers though. My s4 s tronic had a farting sound when shifting so quickly so that prob why it didn't make the cut early on with traditional "Americans". It's a shame s6 will most def have it and maybe a complete s line package car will have it available.
Speed wise. Car is a quite quick. I guess since it's so luxurious and big inside the speed is not obvious like in the s4. S4 feels more nimble, but again give me more time to play with it.
Pop up screen is awesome. Real wow factor and the center dash screen is crisp. LEDs everywhere ( vanity lights door rests, etc)
I got quartz grey, black aluminum, prestige, side assist, b&o, 19" sport.
Do I miss the s4. Naw, I'm enjoying the luxury. I got a 2 year lease on the s4 since i knew this car was coming out. S4 is a beast thought. I will say that.

American buyers of prem lux cars expect the syrupy shifting of a TQ conv automatic- in fact I suspect they want to never be aware of up or downshifting unless it's WOT to pass a truck on two lane road.

To them, DSG with rev matching and more direct gear changing would be complained about as farty and jerky by the great unwashed masses on test drives . Audi A6 and A8 trails MBZ/BMW by quite a bit in the mid and large sized cars here in the US , so I can see why marketing arm here are dumbing down the drivetrains for us to get more non -enthusiasts into that segment of their line up .

Audi USA is trying to get farther away from the Saab/Audi egghead buyer image they had 15 yrs ago.

It's gaining sales momentum here but mainly for their SUVs and mainstay small A4 class- kinda the same model sizes that prop Lexus and Acura sales figures , when you think about it.

I except -hopefully - to see DSG on their S6 and S8 whose buyers are more likely to be types who post on car nut boards.

I cannot believe that just like the previous model, the 2012 A6 still does not have sunshades. They are available on A4, but not on A6? Unbelievable!