Audi has unveiled their latest iteration of the S6 and S6 Avant, and the mid-size sports sedans look to continue the engine downsizing trend, moving from a 5.2L V10 to a 4.0L V8 with twin turbochargers making 420 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque.

The new S6 will sprint to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds (while the Avant does it in 4.9) while consuming only 24 mpg (a figure we assume is on the highway). Power is transmitted to all four wheels via Audi’s S-tronic dual clutch ratio with seven cogs, and the active sport differential will also be an optional, similar to the S4.

An air suspension, 19″ wheels and a noise cancelling system (to keep the cabin silent) are all standard. No word on pricing, or North American availability, but we’d assume that the sedan is a shoo-in, while the Avant will sit this one out.

Check back for more updates when AutoGuide covers the Frankfurt Auto Show live on September 13th.

Gallery: Audi S6 and S6 Avant

At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi will unveil four new S performance models, all packing a version of the brand’s new turbocharged V8 engine. Displacing 4.0-liters, this V8 can deliver up to serious power with improved fuel economy over past S versions.

In the new S6 sedan and Avant models, the engine will produce 420-hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds. The same engine, with the same output will also be found in the new S7, which will deliver a 4.9 second 0-62 mph time thanks to a slightly heavier chassis.

All models will come standard with Audi’s quattro technology, while the S6 and S7 will get Audi’s S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission. The S8 will come equipped with an 8-speed automatic.

Audi is also touting fuel economy improvements, due to a lighter chassis as well as a new ‘cylinder on demand’ technology that will reduce the number of active cylinders to four under lighter loads.

We can expect some powerful figures for the next round of Audi’s S and RS models, thanks to the miracle of turbocharging in motion.

The Audi S8 will feature a twin-turbocharged V8 developed with the help of Bentley, churning out in excess of 500 horsepower. This is 50 horses more than the outgoing V10, but at 20% less fuel consumption. And as befitting Audi’s S-flagship, quattro four-wheel drive and an 8-speed transmission are standard.

The S6 and S7 are set to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this year, and each will be packing no less than 440 and 470 horsepower (respectively). The S1 will join the fray next year to fight the Mini Cooper JCW, but no figures have been revealed for that yet.

Lastly, the almighty RS6 will drop in Avant form, making all of 580 twin-turbocharged horsepower—or 20 more than the new BMW M5. After all, like Simba, the Circle of Horsepower is just like the Circle of Life: unavoidable, and never-ending.

[Source: Autobild]

Just days after Audi released its V10-powered R8 Spyder, news has emerged that the German automaker is planning to do away with the massive ten cylinder engine. In its place will be a turbocharged V8 powerplant, that will offer as much (if not more) power with improved fuel economy.

The news, as reported by Germany’s AutoBild magazine, is not surprising considering numerous rumors that as BMW will also move away from a V10 powerplant, opting for a turbocharged V8 for the next M5.

Audi has already started to downsize its engines across the board, choosing a supercharged V6 in the S4, rather than the old 4.2-liter V8. The automaker has also done away with V6 options in many of its vehicles, choosing to only offer the more popular turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

Currently Audi offers a V10 in the Audi R8 Coupe and Spyder and a turbocharged version of that same engine can be found the RS6 (pictured above). The same Lamborghini-sourced V10 comes in the S6, while the S8 model was recently put on hold.

There is no word on if the V10 will continue on in the Lamborghini models.

[Source: Autobild via LeftLaneNews]