Possible Audi S6 TDI could compete with BMW M550d

Fast performance diesels are quite popular in Germany. They aren’t so much here in North America, mostly because of the fact that Americans hate diesels. However, that doesn’t stop German automakers from making simply bonkers-fast diesel-powered cars. One of which is the BMW M550d, which has a quad-turbocharged 3.0 liter I6 diesel engine stuffed under the hood of a luxury wagon. The aforementioned 5 Series has 400 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque and is capable of getting from 0-60 mph in a very surprising 4.4 seconds. Audi has a fast diesel SUV, in the SQ7 TDI, but not a fast car or wagon to match the M550d. Apparently, the folks in Ingolstadt are considering developing an Audi S6 TDI to compete.

According to Motor1 France, a potential Audi S6 TDI would also use a six-cylinder, heavily turbocharged diesel engine. It’s said that it could be a heavily modified variant of the 3.0 liter V6 TDI currently used in the Audi A6. That’s not entirely surprising, as that 3.0 liter TDI is a great engine capable of a lot of power. It would likely gain two conventional turbochargers and one electric turbocharger, much like the Audi SQ7 TDI. Being that the new Audi S6 will be built on Audi’s new platform, the same one that underpins the Audi A8, it will likely have the same 48-volt electrical subsystem, so an electric turbocharger is not only possible but likely.

Audi S6 caught testing at the Nurburgring — photo by Carscoops

It wouldn’t be out of the question to expect around the same power figures as the BMW M550d. So something around 400 hp an 550 lb-ft of torque is entirely possible. That engine will likely be mated to an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic and, obviously, Quattro all-wheel drive.

We’re very much hoping Audi goes through with this, if for no other reason than to add another fast diesel to the market. Cars like the BMW M550d are superb and add very exciting and interesting alternatives to traditional performance sedans. Considering the fact that Audi loves building fast wagons, a possible Audi S6 Avant TDI would add a second performance diesel, with more than two turbochargers, to the market. How is that not a good thing?

[Source: QuattroDaily]

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