Previous reports claimed that the new generation Audi S6 would follow the engine downsizing trend by adopting the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 that powers the RS4 and RS5.
However, Autocar claims that this isn’t the case, as the new member of the new A6 family will use a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 instead.
The unit has nothing in common with the one found in the current S6, as it’s said to come straight from the Porsche Panamera Turbo, where it delivers 550 PS (542 HP / 404 kW) and 770 Nm (567 lb-ft) of torque. It will allegedly be detuned for the Audi, though, where it’s expected to churn out around 500 PS (493 HP / 368 kW), and will eventually be adopted by the Audi S8 and Bentley Continental GT.
Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) should take just a little over 4 seconds. This will make the new S6 a few tenths of a second faster than the previous model, and approximately 1 second quicker than the current A6 55 TFSI. The new Audi S6 will be offered with the Quattro all-wheel drive as standard.
Its new chassis will help it shed some weight, which in turn will make it more agile and help improve its fuel consumption, too.
Setting it apart from the rest of the lineup will be a beefed up body kit and large wheels. The muscular features probably won’t include any widened wheel arches and gigantic diffuser at the rear, as these are believed to be exclusive to the more potent RS6 that will follow.
In the cabin, expect sports seats, a model-specific steering wheel, special menus and dials and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster.
The 2020 Audi S6 should arrive sometime next year, subsequent to its public debut that will likely be made during a (yet unknown) major auto show.