Key Updates Across All Model Years

Certain models from Audi’s comprehensive catalog seem to always steal the spotlight, be it the now-discontinued flagship Audi R8, or the ultimate daily-driver RS6. However, it’s easy to argue that the less flamboyant models of the range are the real sweet spot, such as the Audi S6, as they still offer tire-shredding performance, but without the shouty aesthetics and six-figure price tags. If that’s an opinion you can get onboard with, then enjoy looking across all Audi S6 generations below, as we explore how each evolved from one into the next.

Base Trim Engine

2.9L Twin-Turbo V6 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

8-Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Infotainment & Features
9 /10

This article takes a look at the production history of the Audi S6. All facts and figures have been sourced from the manufacturer directly, where possible. Only iterations of the Audi S6 which were sold in North America when new are featured.

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2024-2025 Audi S6 C8 (5th Gen) Facelift

As became typical for the Audi S6, the C8 generation underwent a light refresh for the 2024 model year. New grilles, revised lights, and a smattering of other small changes ensure the sleeper sedan looks its best, and continues to be relevant in what has become a small but fiercely competitive segment of the market. The facelift introduced no updates under the hood, though, which meant no more performance for facelift customers.

Output remains unchanged at 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque

Bold grilles and striking alloy wheel designs set the facelift model apart from earlier C8-gen examples

This is the latest and therefore current Audi S6, and as such it’s the most up-to-date ever released. This year also celebrates 30 years of Audi S6 sales in the US, and across those years this often overlooked and undervalued sleeper has undergone a smattering of changes, although the appeal and basic brief have remained constant, with subtle looks, heaps of power, and all-wheel-drive guaranteed by all S6 generations.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

Twin-turbocharged 2.9L V6

8-speed automatic

AWD

5th Gen Facelift S6 Production Years

2025 Audi S6
2024 Audi S6 Review
2020-2023 Audi S6 C8 (5th Gen)

This was not the first time that downsizing struck the S6, as once the model sported a V10 engine, but then was replaced by a V8-powered generation. However, in 2020, this V6 Audi S6 replaced that very V8 generation, once again in the name of making even the most performance-orientated models in the range more efficient. Thanks to twin-turbochargers, though, output did not drop, and in fact remained constant with 444 horses galloping away under the hood.

Despite losing two cylinders, the C8 Audi S6 is still just as powerful as the preceding model

This generation of S6 was the first to solely be available as a sedan

While the previous-gen S6 was available as both a sedan and wagon, the C8 S6 was solely available as a sedan in North America. For those that require a huge trunk and heaps of power, the RS6 Avant stood out as the obvious solution – although that of course comes with a significant price premium.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

Twin-turbocharged 2.9L V6

8-speed automatic

AWD

5th Gen S6 Production Years

2023 Audi S6 Review
2022 Audi S6 Review
2021 Audi S6 Review
2020 Audi S6 Review
2016-2018 Audi S6 C7 (4th Gen) Facelift

Tweaks to the front and rear fascia, a new infotainment system, and revised LED headlights provided the C7-gen Audi S6 with a slightly fresher face, enabling it to continue looking sharp in the face of competition for a few more years. Furthermore, tweaks under the hood saw this S6 prevail as the most powerful of all Audi S6 model years, boasting almost 30 horsepower more than pre-facelift models.

Cosmetic tweaks ensured the S6 looked fresh; chief among the updates were revised front and rear fascias, plus new LED headlights

A power boost saw the S6 now produce 444 horsepower

Available now from the S6’s twin-turbocharged V8 was 444 horses – more than the first-generation Audi R8 V8, and almost double what the first-gen S6 Avant offered back in the mid-to-late 1990s.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

Twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8

7-speed automatic

AWD

4th Gen Facelift S6 Production Years

2018 Audi S6 Review
2017 Audi S6 Review
2016 Audi S6 Review

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2013-2015 Audi S6 C7 (4th Gen)

When the fourth-generation Audi S6 arrived, it could easily be argued that Audi took a backwards step, by replacing the monstrous and naturally aspirated V10 engine with a boosted V8. However, this was merely a sign of the times, as manufacturers by this point were all feeling the pressure to downsize from high-capacity engines in the name of boosting efficiency. Fortunately, this did not come at the expense of performance.

Audi returned to eight-cylinder power with the C7 Audi S6

Sedan or Avant – customers in North America could pick from both

Although it did lack ever-so-slightly in terms of sheer output, with 420 horses onboard, this generation of S6 was still no slouch. Furthermore, for the first time, North Americans were given the choice between sedan and wagon body styles.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

Twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8

7-speed automatic

AWD

4th Gen S6 Production Years

2015 Audi S6 Review
2014 Audi S6 Review
2013 Audi S6 Review
2009-2011 Audi S6 C6 (3rd Gen) Facelift

To the untrained eye, there is very little to separate the pre- and post-facelift C6-generation of Audi S6, and the untrained eye would largely be correct, as the two are very similar indeed. The most notable differences are the profile of the rear lights, and details within the front grille – both of which did well to liven up the S6’s design, and keep it looking fresh in the face of new competition.

Subtle tweaks to the S6’s styling helped to prolong its life on the market

Power output remained unchanged at 435 horsepower

Underneath the hood, nothing had changed, which meant the same 435-horsepower, 5.2-liter V10 remained the sole engine option, as did a six-speed automatic transmission. A Quattro all-wheel-drive system and sizable brakes work hard to keep everything pointing in the right direction, features that are spotted (and required) in all Audi S6 models.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

5.2L V10

6-speed automatic

AWD

3rd Gen Facelift S6 Production Years

2011 Audi S6 Review
2010 Audi S6 Review
2009 Audi S6 Review
2007-2008 Audi S6 C6 (3rd Gen)

For many, the third-generation of Audi S6 is the most iconic and most memorable, and the reasoning behind this is quite simple – Audi placed a 5.2-liter V10 under the hood of a mid-level executive sedan. In today’s world of downsizing and hybridizing, this could never happen, which really boosts the appeal of older, crazy creations like this. The V10 which powers this sleek S6 is, in contrast to popular opinion, not the same V10 which powers the Lamborghini Gallardo of the same era, although there are similarities between the two engines.

Third-gen S6 models were available as both a sedan and wagon, but only as a sedan in North America

This era of S6 boasted a 5.2-liter V10 – the largest engine of all S6 iterations, by both capacity and cylinder-count

In contrast to previous-gen S6 models, the S6 was only sold to North Americans in sedan guise, although wagon models were available in other markets. However, the S6 followed in the footsteps of previous models still by sporting subdued bodywork, a well-optioned cabin, and all-wheel-drive, which by this point was surely a necessity, thanks to the 435-horsepower powerplant sitting up-front.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

5.2L V10

6-speed automatic

AWD

3rd Gen S6 Production Years

2008 Audi S6 Review
2007 Audi S6

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1999-2003 Audi S6 C5 (2nd Gen)

Following on from the first-gen S6, the C5-generation car employed many of the same benefits, including a Quattro all-wheel-drive system, an Avant body style, and an under-the-radar approach to styling. While the arches of this generation are certainly more pronounced, and the dual-exit exhaust commands a touch more attention, the C5 S6 is still a fairly subdued performance car, which does little to shout about the performance which lies within.

The C5-gen S6 was solely available as an Avant for the North American market

Performance swelled for the C5-gen model, as the S6 swapped out the aging inline-five for a large-capacity V8 engine

Available from the 4.2-liter V8 is a total of 340 horsepower, which Audi hooked up to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. As always, all-wheel-drive kept the S6 Avant’s power in check. Inside, the S6 came well-equipped as standard, with leather seats, a sports steering wheel, and advanced climate control.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

4.2L V8

6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic

AWD

2nd Gen S6 Production Years

2003 Audi S6
2002 Audi S6
2001 Audi S6
2000 Audi S6
1999 Audi S6
1995-1997 Audi S6 C4 (1st Gen)

The first generation of Audi S6 is something of a unicorn these days, in the fact it’s increasingly rare, and seldom spotted in the wild. When it first launched in the mid 1990s, it was only available as an Avant – that’s Audi-speak for wagon – for the North American market, and was one of the very first fast Audi models to wear the S/RS moniker, following on from the now iconic RS2 Avant.

A boosted inline-five hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission cemented the C4-gen S6 Avant as a true driver’s car

First-gen S6 models were sure-footed, thanks to benefiting from a Quattro all-wheel-drive system

If it wasn’t for the S-badging, it would be easy to look past the first-gen S6 as just another wagon. The styling is beyond subtle – there are no gaping grilles or bulging arches, and just a single tailpipe juts out from the rear bumper. However, under the hood lies a characterful and turbocharged inline-five, which kicks out 227 horsepower, which is then dispersed to all four wheels via a Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

Turbocharged 2.2L I5

5-speed manual

AWD

1st-Gen S6 Production Years

1997 Audi S6
1996 Audi S6
1995 Audi S6

Source: Audi