Audi S6

Generations: what changed when you move year to year

Correction in the table body: 2.2 AT at 1595 kg is 5 cylinders, Inline — same as the other 2.2 versions.

1 generation (1994-06-01 to 1997-10-31), Sedan, 11 versions. This is the only generation with both a 5-cylinder Inline Turbo 2.2 MT / 2.2 AT at 230 hp and a 8-cylinder V-shaped 4.2 MT / 4.2 AT at 290 hp or 326 hp. Manual is the performance lever: the light 2.2 MT (5 gears) is 6.8 s versus 8.1 s for 2.2 AT; the light 4.2 MT at 326 hp (239 kW) is 5.4 s versus 7.1 s for 4.2 AT at 290 hp. Ground clearance is not measured on all 11; wheels are not measured.

2 generation (1999-02-01 to 2004-01-31), Sedan, 4 versions, all 4.2 AT or 4.2 MT at 340 hp, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, boost No. The extra versus 1 generation’s 326 hp 4.2 MT is 14 hp; versus 1 generation’s 290 hp 4.2 AT it is 50 hp. 0–100 improves from 5.4–7.3 s (1 generation 4.2) to 5.7–6.8 s. Fuel is 98 instead of 95. Tank grows from 80 L to 82 L.

3 generation (2006-02-01 to 2008-08-31) plus 3 generation, restyling (2008-08-01 to 2010-12-31), Sedan. Pre-restyle: two 5.2 AT at 435 hp (10 cylinders, V-shaped, boost No). Restyle: one 5.2 AT at the same 435 hp. The restyle does not buy power; it buys mixed consumption of 12.6 L/100 km instead of 13.4 (−0.8), city 18.5 instead of 19.7, highway 9.1 instead of 9.7, ground clearance 130 mm instead of 110 (+20 mm), rear brakes Disc ventilated instead of Disc, and injection Distributed injection (multi-point) instead of Direct injection (direct). Peak torque window on the restyle is 3000–4000 rpm versus 3000 rpm only before.

4 generation (2011-09-01 to 2014-11-30) plus 4 generation, restyling (2014-10-01 to 2018-09-30), Sedan. Both waves use 4.0 S-tronic, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, Turbo, Robotic 7-speed, AWD, 3993 cm³, 550 Nm. Pre-restyle power is 420 hp; restyle is 450 hp (+30 hp, +7%). 0–100 on the lighter car falls from 4.6 s to 4.4 s (−0.2 s); on the heavier car from 4.7 s to 4.6 s. Mixed use falls from 9.6 / 9.7 L/100 km to 9.2 / 9.4. Clearance is 130 mm then 140 mm. CO2 and Euro class are not measured before restyle; restyle is Euro 6 at 214 and 219 g/km. Tank stays 75 L. Suspension stays Independent, pneumatic.

5 generation (from 2019-04-01), Sedan, 3 versions: two 3.0 AT (Diesel, 349 hp, 700 Nm, 2967 cm³) and one 2.9 AT (Gasoline, 450 hp, 600 Nm, 2894 cm³). Cylinder count drops from 8 to 6, still V-shaped, Turbo. Gearbox becomes Automatic 8 instead of Robotic 7. Tank is 63 L (−12 L versus 4 generation). Suspension is Independent, spring instead of Independent, pneumatic. The 450 hp figure matches restyled 4.0 S-tronic, but torque is 600 Nm versus 550 (+50) on petrol and 700 Nm versus 550 (+150) on diesel.

Engines and specs

Correction in the table body: 2.2 AT at 1595 kg is 5 cylinders, Inline — same as the other 2.2 versions.

Specific output (hp per litre of displacement): 2.9 AT 450 / 2.894 ≈ 155.5 hp/L; 3.0 AT 349 / 2.967 ≈ 117.6 hp/L; restyled 4.0 S-tronic 450 / 3.993 ≈ 112.7 hp/L; pre-restyle 4.0 S-tronic 420 / 3.993 ≈ 105.2 hp/L; light 2.2 MT 230 / 2.226 ≈ 103.3 hp/L; 5.2 AT 435 / 5.204 ≈ 83.6 hp/L; 2 generation 4.2 MT 340 / 4.172 ≈ 81.5 hp/L; 1 generation 4.2 MT 326 hp 326 / 4.172 ≈ 78.1 hp/L; 1 generation 4.2 MT 290 hp 290 / 4.172 ≈ 69.5 hp/L. The current petrol six is the densest engine in the file; the 10-cylinder 5.2 AT is large and comparatively soft on paper.

Injection where measured: Direct injection (direct) on all 4.0 S-tronic and on pre-restyle 5.2 AT; Distributed injection (multi-point) on restyle 5.2 AT, all 2 generation 4.2, and all 1 generation engines. Compression 15.5 on both 3.0 AT; not measured on 2.9 AT; 10.1 on 4.0 S-tronic; 12.5 on 5.2 AT; 11 on measured 2 generation 4.2 MT; 9.3 on measured 1 generation 2.2; 11 or 10.6 or 11.6 or not measured on 1 generation 4.2. Bore × stroke: 3.0 AT 83 × 91.4; 2.9 AT not measured; 4.0 S-tronic 84.5 × 89; 5.2 AT 84.5 × 92.8; 2 generation 4.2 MT 84.5 × 93 (AT 1685 kg: not measured); 1 generation 2.2 81 × 86.4 where measured.

Valves per cylinder: 4 on generations 1 (except wait 2 generation is 5), 3, 4, 5; 2 generation is 5 valves per cylinder on every 4.2 AT and 4.2 MT. Engine position Front, longitudinal on every version. Brakes: front Ventilated disc everywhere; rear Disc ventilated except 3 generation pre-restyle rear Disc and 2 generation 4.2 AT 1685 kg rear Disc.

Performance, mpg and 0–100

Top speed is 250 km/h on every version from 2 generation onward except 1 generation, where it is 241 (2.2 MT 1445 kg, both 5- and 6-speed), 236 (2.2 AT 1485 kg), 249 (light 4.2 MT/4.2 AT 290 hp), 250 (light 4.2 MT 326 hp / 239 kW), 247 (2.2 MT 1745 kg, 4.2 MT 290 hp 1745 kg, 4.2 AT 290 hp 1745 kg), 231 (2.2 AT 1595 kg), 250 (4.2 MT 326 hp / 240 kW). So the 250 km/h ceiling is not unique to later cars; 1 generation already reaches it on the 326 hp 4.2 MT.

0–100, fastest to slowest among measured figures: 4.4 s lighter restyle 4.0 S-tronic; 4.5 s 2.9 AT; 4.6 s heavier restyle 4.0 S-tronic and lighter pre-restyle 4.0 S-tronic; 4.7 s heavier pre-restyle 4.0 S-tronic; 5.0 s lighter 3.0 AT; 5.1 s heavier 3.0 AT; 5.2 s lighter 3 generation 5.2 AT; 5.3 s restyle 5.2 AT and heavier 3 generation 5.2 AT; 5.4 s light 4.2 MT 326 hp / 239 kW; 5.7 s 2 generation 4.2 MT 1710 kg and 1 generation 4.2 MT 326 hp / 240 kW; 5.8 s 2 generation 4.2 MT 1765 kg; 5.9 s 1 generation 4.2 MT 290 hp 1695 kg; 6.0 s 1 generation 4.2 MT 290 hp 1745 kg; 6.7 s 2 generation 4.2 AT 1685 kg and 1 generation 2.2 MT 6-speed; 6.8 s 2 generation 4.2 AT 1790 kg and 1 generation 2.2 MT 5-speed 1445 kg; 6.9 s 2.2 MT 1745 kg; 7.1 s 4.2 AT 290 hp 1695 kg; 7.3 s 4.2 AT 290 hp 1745 kg; 8.1 s 2.2 AT 1485 kg; 8.4 s 2.2 AT 1595 kg. Automatic versus Manual in 1 generation costs 1.3 s on the light 2.2 (8.1 − 6.8) and 1.2 s on the light 290 hp 4.2 (7.1 − 5.9). In 2 generation Automatic costs 1.0 s versus the matching-weight Manual pair (6.7 vs 5.7 on the lighter pair; 6.8 vs 5.8 on the heavier pair).

Mixed consumption (L/100 km), where measured: 6.3 and 6.5 (3.0 AT); 8.3 (2.9 AT); 9.2 and 9.4 (restyle 4.0 S-tronic); 9.6 and 9.7 (pre-restyle 4.0 S-tronic); 12.6 (restyle 5.2 AT); 13.4 (both 3 generation 5.2 AT); 14.0 and 14.3–14.4 (2 generation); 12.2 (2.2 MT 1445 kg); 12.9 (2.2 AT 1485 kg); 14.9 (4.2 MT 326 hp / 240 kW). Not measured: all remaining 1 generation 4.2 and the heavier 2.2 cars, plus CO2 on every car before 4 generation restyling.

Implied mixed range from tank ÷ mixed × 100: lighter 3.0 AT 63 / 6.3 × 100 = 1000 km; heavier 3.0 AT 63 / 6.5 × 100 ≈ 969 km; 2.9 AT 63 / 8.3 × 100 ≈ 759 km; lighter restyle 4.0 S-tronic 75 / 9.2 × 100 ≈ 815 km; restyle 5.2 AT 80 / 12.6 × 100 ≈ 635 km; 2 generation 4.2 MT 82 / 14 × 100 ≈ 586 km. Diesel 3.0 AT therefore covers more kilometres per tank than any petrol S6 in this file despite the smallest tank (63 L versus 75, 80 or 82).

CO2: 165 g/km lighter 3.0 AT, 171 heavier 3.0 AT, 193 2.9 AT, 214 / 219 restyle 4.0 S-tronic; not measured on 4 generation pre-restyle and all older cars. Eco class Euro 6 on all 5 generation and 4 generation restyling; not measured earlier.

Dimensions, weight and clearance

Kerb weight spans 1445 kg (both light 1 generation 2.2 MT) to 2020 kg (heavier 3.0 AT). Gross weight 1995 kg to 2655 kg on the same pair. kg per hp (kerb / hp): restyle 4.0 S-tronic 1895 / 450 = 4.21; 2.9 AT 1985 / 450 = 4.41; lighter 3 generation 5.2 AT 1910 / 435 ≈ 4.39; restyle 4.0 S-tronic 1960 / 450 ≈ 4.36; lighter pre-restyle 4.0 S-tronic 1895 / 420 ≈ 4.51; lighter 3.0 AT 1955 / 349 ≈ 5.60; heavier 3.0 AT 2020 / 349 ≈ 5.79; 2 generation 4.2 AT 1685 / 340 ≈ 4.96; 1 generation 2.2 MT 1445 / 230 ≈ 6.28. The diesel is the heaviest per horsepower among current cars; the restyle V8 is the lightest per horsepower in the whole catalogue.

Ground clearance: 2.9 AT 120 mm; both 3.0 AT not measured; 4 generation restyling 140 mm; 4 generation 130 mm; 3 generation restyling 130 mm; 3 generation 110 mm; 2 generation 120 mm; 1 generation not measured. Wheels: not measured on every version. Tank: 63 L (5 generation), 75 L (4 generation both waves), 80 L (3 and 1 generation), 82 L (2 generation). Payload (gross − kerb) on current cars: lighter 3.0 AT 2590 − 1955 = 635 kg; 2.9 AT 2515 − 1985 = 530 kg; heavier 3.0 AT 2655 − 2020 = 635 kg. The petrol 2.9 AT therefore gives 105 kg less payload than either diesel 3.0 AT.

Which version to choose

If the brief is “current Sedan, least fuel”: take the lighter 3.0 AT (349 hp, 1955 kg, 5.0 s, 6.3 L/100 km mixed, 165 g/km). The heavier 3.0 AT is the same 349 hp and same 2967 cm³ Diesel Turbo 6-cylinder V-shaped Automatic 8 AWD, but 65 kg more kerb (2020 vs 1955), 0.1 s slower (5.1 vs 5.0), +0.3 city / +0.2 highway / +0.2 mixed, +6 g/km CO2. There is no power reason to pick the heavier 3.0 AT on these numbers.

If the brief is “current Sedan, most hp”: 2.9 AT, 450 hp, 4.5 s, 120 mm clearance (the only 5 generation car with clearance measured). Versus lighter 3.0 AT that is +101 hp, −100 Nm (600 vs 700), −0.5 s, +2.0 L/100 km mixed, +28 g/km, +30 kg kerb, −75 kg gross, −105 kg payload, same 63 L tank. Peak power sits at 6700 rpm versus 3850 rpm on the diesel; peak torque at 5000 rpm versus 2500–3100. You buy engine speed and horsepower, not mid-range newton-metres.

If the brief is “450 hp and the lowest 0–100 in the file”: lighter 4.0 S-tronic of 4 generation, restyling (2014-10-01–2018-09-30), 4.4 s, 1895 kg, 140 mm, Independent, pneumatic, 75 L, 9.2 L/100 km mixed. Versus 2.9 AT: same 450 hp, −90 kg, −0.1 s, +50 Nm of torque bandwidth down to 1400 rpm, +12 L tank, +0.9 L/100 km mixed, +21 g/km, Robotic 7 instead of Automatic 8, 8 cylinders instead of 6, 3993 cm³ instead of 2894. The restyle V8 is the better weight-to-power car (4.21 vs 4.41 kg/hp) and the only 450 hp car with pneumatic suspension in the data.

If the brief is “same 4.0 S-tronic family, less power, older”: pre-restyle 4.0 S-tronic at 420 hp. You give up 30 hp and 0.2 s (4.6 vs 4.4 on the light cars) and 10 mm of clearance (130 vs 140). Mixed use is 9.6 vs 9.2 on the light pair. CO2 and Euro class are not measured, so they cannot be used as a buying argument either way.

If the brief is “10 cylinders, 5.2 AT” (the search phrase people use for this engine): only 3 generation. Buy the restyle 5.2 AT (2008-08-01–2010-12-31) if consumption and ride height matter: 12.6 vs 13.4 mixed, 130 vs 110 mm, same 435 hp and 540 Nm. Buy the lighter pre-restyle 5.2 AT (1910 kg) if 0–100 is the score: 5.2 s versus 5.3 s, and Direct injection (direct) instead of Distributed injection (multi-point). Versus later 4.0 S-tronic 420 hp you have +15 hp but +0.6 s (5.2 vs 4.6), +3.8 L/100 km mixed (13.4 vs 9.6), +5 L tank, and boost No versus Turbo.

If the brief is “Manual, 8 cylinders”: only 2 generation 4.2 MT (340 hp, two kerb weights) and 1 generation 4.2 MT (290 hp or 326 hp). In 2 generation the 1710 kg 4.2 MT is 5.7 s and 14.0 L/100 km mixed; the 1765 kg 4.2 MT is 5.8 s at the same 14.0. Prefer 1710 kg unless you need the 2330 kg gross of the heavier car (versus 2300). Automatic 4.2 AT in the same generation is a full second slower and 0.3–0.4 L/100 km thirstier mixed. Versus 1 generation’s fastest 4.2 MT (326 hp / 239 kW, 5.4 s, 1695 kg) the 2 generation Manual is 14 hp up but 0.3 s slower and 25 kg heavier; mixed on that 326 hp car is not measured except on the 1745 kg 4.2 MT at 240 kW / 6500 rpm (14.9 L/100 km, 5.7 s).

If the brief is “smallest engine, Turbo, lightest kerb”: 1 generation 2.2 MT. The 6-speed at 1445 kg is the quickest 2.2 (6.7 s, 241 km/h) at the same 12.2 L/100 km as the 5-speed 1445 kg car (6.8 s). 2.2 AT is the version to avoid if time to 100 km/h is the criterion: 8.1 s (1485 kg) or 8.4 s (1595 kg), 4-speed Automatic, top speed 236 or 231 km/h. Fuel on those Automatics is measured only for 1485 kg (12.9 mixed); the 1595 kg 2.2 AT mixed figure is not measured. The 1745 kg 2.2 MT is 6.9 s, 247 km/h, consumption not measured — it is the slowest Manual 2.2 and 300 kg heavier than the 1445 kg cars.

Reliability / problems: this dataset has no failure rates, no mount life, no workshop lists. The only hard splits that can stand in for “what you take on” are fuel grade (Diesel vs 95 vs 98), boost (Turbo vs No), gearbox type (Manual / Automatic / Robotic), cylinder count (5 / 6 / 8 / 10), and whether CO2, eco class, clearance, wheels, compression, bore × stroke, or consumption are not measured.

Short map: daily kilometres and a current car → lighter 3.0 AT. Current 450 hp → 2.9 AT. Used 450 hp with the catalogue’s best 0–100 and pneumatic axle → lighter restyle 4.0 S-tronic. 10-cylinder 5.2 AT → restyle if you want 12.6 L/100 km and 130 mm, pre-restyle 1910 kg if you want 5.2 s. Pedals → 2 generation 4.2 MT 1710 kg, or 1 generation 4.2 MT 326 hp if 5.4 s is the target. First-generation Turbo five → 2.2 MT 6-speed 1445 kg, not 2.2 AT. Wagon is not a version in this catalogue; every generation here is Sedan.