Audi S6, S7 & S8 to be unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show

Audi is all set to take the wraps off their latest range of “S” versions of their underwhelming cars at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show. 

The S6, S6 Avant, S7 and S8, all come with a new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine featuring cylinder-deactivation technology where up to four cylinders may be deactivated as required for optimum fuel efficiency. While the turbocharged engine is rated for 420 hp and 550 Nm of torque and mated to a 7-speed tiptronic transmission in the S6 and S7 models, resulting in a 0-100 kph sprint time of 4.8 seconds and 4.9 seconds respectively, the range topping S8 has the same unit mated to an 8-speed tiptronic transmission and delivering 520 hp and 650 Nm of torque, thus allowing it to hit 100 kph in a claimed 4.2 seconds. All models are equipped with Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive featuring a self-locking centre differential, torque vectoring and rear sports differential, the latter being optional in the S6 and S7 models. Top speed is limited to 250 kph in all variants.

A host of available features on the latest S models include adaptive air suspensions with variable damping, carbon-fibre ceramic disc brakes, choice of 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, choice of Xenon plus headlights with all-weather lights or LED headlights, electromechanical parking brakes, ambient lighting package, head-up display, parking system plus with 360-degree camera for virtual top-down view, climate-controlled comfort seats with massage function, Audi pre-sense crash safety system, adaptive cruise control with stop-&-go function, Audi side assist, active lane assist, speed limit display, night vision assistant with pedestrian detection, MMI navigation plus featuring internal hard drive, 8-inch touchscreen monitor, support for Bluetooth online car phone providing in-car internet services and WLAN connectivity for mobile devices, and premium sound system from Bang & Olufsen.

It is unknown if any or all of the S models will be offered in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and rest of the GCC. If they do come, it should be by late 2012 at the earliest.