Audi has just launched the RS5, the ultimate Audi for the Indian driving enthusiast (bar the R8, of course) but they aren't going to let customers with less of a budget down. The S6, the sporty sibling of the A6, will debut on Indian soil on 12 July - that's next Friday.
The S6 will distinguish itself from the A6 by being available in at least one bright colour - we expect the S4's scarlet to be the colour of choice. Other differing elements are the aluminium mirror housings, large wheels, quad exhausts, bootlip spoiler and discreet badging front and rear.
Power will be derived from a 420PS 4.0-litre TFSI V8 that hasn't much to do with the previous generation's V10. The power figure may be down on the V10's 435 horses, but peak torque - all 550 Nm of it - is available from just 1400rpm. Astonishingly, it remains the same up to 5200rpm. Mated to a seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox, this makes the new S6 25 per cent more fuel efficient than the outgoing car, it is also quicker, getting to 100kmph in 3.7 seconds with the help of launch control. The efficiency is also contributed to by technology like low engine friction and cylinder deactivation.
There is a substantial gap between the sporty end of the big German sedans and true wolves in sheep's clothing like the M5 and E63 AMG, and the S6, if launched in the region of Rs 70-75 lakh, will become a viable alternative to the more stylish but impractical bevy of convertible sportscars on sale in India.
