Audi, Scoop, Audi S6 and S7 to Offer Diesel Option
It’s easy to be impressed by diesels—but it can be hard to fall in love with them. The awesome torque and impressive efficiency combine to allow drivers to burn tires and miles with ease. But love? This requires something more. No diesel we’ve driven so far has the distinct character of a high-performance gasoline engine, although BMW’s 335d comes close. But they ultimately lack delicate response, they can’t be revved to lofty heights, and their sound will never entice across the spectrum like a thoroughbred gas mill.
Nevertheless, in the era of ambitious emissions and fuel-consumption targets, the case for the diesel is getting stronger and stronger. We have now learned that Audi aims to woo buyers into making the switch with two ultra-strong versions of the Audi A6 and A7. They will feature a highly tuned version of Audi’s 3.0-liter diesel V-6 that should top 300 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. The cars most likely will be sold under the S6 and S7 monikers—a big change for Audi, as these will be the company’s first diesel-powered, S-badged models. They’ll also mark the first time that Audi will give customers shopping for an S car a choice of engines for the same model. The gasoline alternative to the diesels will be a turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, which we’ve discussed in greater depth here. We very much look forward to trying the new hot diesels in Europe, but sadly, they won’t be sold here in the U.S.
There’s no question that this is a bold move for Audi, but it’s not shocking considering the brand’s success racing diesels at Le Mans. Audis wearing S badges haven’t been aimed directly at other companies’ highest-performance lines for many years. That task is instead left to Audi’s RS cars, while S-branded vehicles go after competitors’ warmer models. The 333-hp Audi S4, for instance, matches up with BMW’s 320-hp 335is (or the regular 335i, as was the case in this comparo). The diesel-powered S6 and S7 will give Audi a rival to models like the BMW 535d, which offers 295 hp and 442 lb-ft, or the Mercedes-Benz CLS350 CDI, which stumps up 262 hp and 457 lb-ft.
Still, this doesn’t mean diesels are outside the realm of possibility for the top tier of German performance cars. Diesels are not in AMG’s immediate plans, but BMW’s M GmbH is rumored to be entertaining the idea. It’s a shame that Audi’s diesel-powered S6 and S7 won’t arrive on these shores, but the upcoming A6 3.0 TDI is coming our way (you can read our first drive of it here). With 369 lb-ft, it should offer plenty of oil-burning fun if not outright love.
It’s easy to be impressed by diesels—but it can be hard to fall in love with them. The awesome torque and impressive efficiency combine to allow drivers to burn tires and miles with ease. But love? This requires something more. No diesel we’ve driven so far has the distinct character of a high-performance gasoline engine, although BMW’s 335d comes close. But they ultimately lack delicate response, they can’t be revved to lofty heights, and their sound will never entice across the spectrum like a thoroughbred gas mill.
Nevertheless, in the era of ambitious emissions and fuel-consumption targets, the case for the diesel is getting stronger and stronger. We have now learned that Audi aims to woo buyers into making the switch with two ultra-strong versions of the Audi A6 and A7. They will feature a highly tuned version of Audi’s 3.0-liter diesel V-6 that should top 300 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. The cars most likely will be sold under the S6 and S7 monikers—a big change for Audi, as these will be the company’s first diesel-powered, S-badged models. They’ll also mark the first time that Audi will give customers shopping for an S car a choice of engines for the same model. The gasoline alternative to the diesels will be a turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, which we’ve discussed in greater depth here. We very much look forward to trying the new hot diesels in Europe, but sadly, they won’t be sold here in the U.S.
There’s no question that this is a bold move for Audi, but it’s not shocking considering the brand’s success racing diesels at Le Mans. Audis wearing S badges haven’t been aimed directly at other companies’ highest-performance lines for many years. That task is instead left to Audi’s RS cars, while S-branded vehicles go after competitors’ warmer models. The 333-hp Audi S4, for instance, matches up with BMW’s 320-hp 335is (or the regular 335i, as was the case in this comparo). The diesel-powered S6 and S7 will give Audi a rival to models like the BMW 535d, which offers 295 hp and 442 lb-ft, or the Mercedes-Benz CLS350 CDI, which stumps up 262 hp and 457 lb-ft.
Still, this doesn’t mean diesels are outside the realm of possibility for the top tier of German performance cars. Diesels are not in AMG’s immediate plans, but BMW’s M GmbH is rumored to be entertaining the idea. It’s a shame that Audi’s diesel-powered S6 and S7 won’t arrive on these shores, but the upcoming A6 3.0 TDI is coming our way (you can read our first drive of it here). With 369 lb-ft, it should offer plenty of oil-burning fun if not outright love.
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