If you like the Audi A6, wait until you see the 2020 Audi S6

• The 2020 Audi S6 debuts a mild-hybrid V6 with electric turbochargers.
• The new S6 also gets a new eight-speed automatic and Quattro AWD.
• Prices for the new Audi S6 start just below $ 74,000. Expect it in the fall.

The previous Audi S6 came with a monstrous turbocharged V8 engine. This car had 450 tires and went from 0 to 60 mph in four seconds. If the BMW M550i is a sports luxury car, you can imagine the 2020 Audi S6 as a luxury car with sports apprehensions.

Embarrassed? Not to be Yes, there is a difference between them. And we'll dig into that a bit.

That said, if you're craving the A6, I bet the 2020 S6 is more than ticklish.

electrified turbocharging

The normal A6 comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 and a 48-volt hybrid assist system. This produces 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. torque. The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic system and a Quattro all-wheel drive system. This allows the machine to register zero up to 60 times in 4.8 seconds.

But Audi's new S6 needs something to keep up with the hot Mercedes-AMG E53 sedan, the car using EQ Boost electrification, and an onboard, 48-volt electrical system to produce 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft. torque. The biggest competitor to the new Audi A6 is the hotter BMW M550i, which comes with a 4.4-liter turbojet V8 that makes 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft. torque. And if you really need to know, the M550i has the same engine and power output as the M850i ​​Gran Coupe..

As you can see, the 2020 Audi A6 faces some serious competition.

Audi did the next best thing: loaded the new S6 with an incredible amount of technology. The new 2.9-liter TFSI V6 is now equipped with electric turbochargers. The turbines are powered by an onboard 48-volt mild hybrid system. Having electric turbochargers is a good thing. For starters, it doesn't rely on exhaust pressure to spin wildly, which essentially means zero turbo lag at any engine speed. It also means that, according to Audi, the turbos can spin up instantly and provide immediate response.

With that said, the new electrified V6 produces 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. torque, so you won't miss the lack of cylinders under the hood.

Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

New eight-speed automatic and Quattro AWD

The 2020 Audi S6 now comes with a new eight-speed Tiptronic automatic. The gearbox replaces the seven-speed dual-clutch unit in the outgoing model. It also happens to be more capable of matching the revised V6's low-end torque. Also standard is the Audi Quattro AWD system with selective wheel torque control. It provides 60 percent of the available power to the rear axles and 40 percent to the front during normal driving. The all-wheel drive system can shift up to 70 percent of the available torque to the front or 85 percent to the rear axle in difficult situations.

If you want to drive like crazy in your Audi S6, don't forget the available Quattro sports differential. The system distributes torque between the left and right rear wheels for improved cornering agility. If you push hard, it can almost transfer all of the torque to one wheel. The optional S Sport Package includes dynamic all-wheel steering, a sports exhaust gasifier and luxurious red brake calipers. Throw in a dime more and you've got a sport tuned suspension with adaptive damping.

Sporty Exterior Design

The new Audi S6 also received a bland appearance. It has an S-model front and rear bumpers, aluminum exterior side mirrors, and a platinum-finished single-frame grille with two slats. The car also gets an aluminum front splitter, rear diffuser insert with matt black chrome finish and quad tailpipes. 20-inch wheels with summer tires are standard. You can opt for larger 21-inch wheels if you live in areas with no potholes.

Interior layout of the Audi A6. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.

Flawless Interior

Interior trim and interior trim is one of Audi's strengths. The interior has soft-touch plastics, leather and metal trim. The switchgear clicks and clicks with German precision, while the seats are comfortable enough to seat driver and passengers on those long, arduous journeys.