{"id":9977,"date":"1996-03-05T21:33:00","date_gmt":"1996-03-05T21:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ooooiykyk.com\/audiarchives\/?p=9977"},"modified":"2026-09-23T02:18:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T02:18:48","slug":"audi-s6-plus-avant-c4-de-%f0%9f%87%a9%f0%9f%87%aa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ooooiykyk.com\/audiarchives\/1996\/03\/05\/audi-s6-plus-avant-c4-de-%f0%9f%87%a9%f0%9f%87%aa\/","title":{"rendered":"Audi S6 plus Avant (C4, 1997) \u2013 DE \ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MODEL:<\/strong> Audi S6 plus<\/a> Avant
ERA:<\/strong> Audi Modern Era<\/a>
MODEL FAMILY:<\/strong> S6<\/a>
GENERATION:<\/strong> C4<\/a> \/ Type 4A<\/a>
INTERNAL PROJECT:<\/strong> Q1
MODEL YEAR:<\/strong> 1997
INTRODUCTION:<\/strong> 1996 Geneva Motor Show<\/a>
PRODUCTION:<\/strong> 1996<\/a>\u20131997<\/a>
MANUFACTURER:<\/strong> quattro GmbH<\/a> \/ AUDI AG
ASSEMBLY:<\/strong> Neckarsulm, Germany
BODY STYLE:<\/strong> Five-door Avant
DRIVETRAIN:<\/strong> Front-engine, quattro permanent all-wheel drive
ENGINE:<\/strong> 4.2-liter naturally aspirated 32-valve V8<\/a>
OUTPUT:<\/strong> 240 kW \/ 326 PS (322 hp)
TORQUE:<\/strong> 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) at 3,500 rpm
TRANSMISSION:<\/strong> Six-speed manual
TOP SPEED:<\/strong> 250 km\/h (155 mph), electronically limited
PRODUCTION TOTAL:<\/strong> 855 Avants; 952 S6 plus models including 97 sedans, according to published accounts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OVERVIEW<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Audi S6 plus Avant was the first complete automobile offered by quattro GmbH and the model that transformed Audi\u2019s small personalization subsidiary into a vehicle manufacturer in its own right. Developed jointly with AUDI AG under the internal name \u201cProject Q1,\u201d it combined the discreet utility of the C4-generation S6 Avant with a comprehensively reworked V8, a six-speed manual transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

quattro GmbH presented the S6 plus at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring of 1996. The car was offered as both a sedan and an Avant, although the wagon accounted for the great majority of production. Published totals generally place the 16-month run at 952 cars: 855 Avants and 97 sedans. Its rarity, naturally aspirated V8 and significance as quattro GmbH\u2019s first series-production vehicle have made the S6 plus one of the defining models of the C4 era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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QUATTRO GMBH BECOMES A MANUFACTURER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1983, quattro GmbH initially concentrated on protecting and extending the quattro identity through accessories, merchandise and vehicle individualization. By 1995, its individualization work had developed into the program now known as Audi exclusive. The following year, the subsidiary took the larger step of becoming a vehicle manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The S6 plus was the result. At its Geneva premiere, quattro GmbH Managing Director Rudolf G\u00f6lz summarized the change in ambition: \u201cToday, our brand is mature enough to offer complete vehicles in the exclusive niche segment.\u201d The period catalogue described the new car in similar terms, telling customers that quattro GmbH was offering a complete vehicle for the first time\u2014one intended to combine the performance and driving characteristics of a sports car with the space and equipment of a long-distance luxury car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The S6 plus was not yet an independently conceived RS model in the manner of the later B5 RS 4. It began with Audi\u2019s existing S6 4.2 and was developed as a joint quattro GmbH and AUDI AG project. Even so, it established the operating model from which quattro GmbH\u2019s high-performance road-car business would grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The starting point was the 4.2-liter, 32-valve V8 used in the S6 4.2. quattro GmbH\u2019s engineers increased output from 213 kW \/ 290 PS to 240 kW \/ 326 PS. The revisions were considerably more extensive than an engine-control recalibration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The S6 plus adopted the rotary-valve variable intake manifold from the Audi A8 4.2 quattro, together with a larger mass-airflow sensor and a freer-flowing exhaust system. Revised intake camshafts provided greater lift and altered timing. Mechanical valve-lash adjustment was used on the intake side in place of the production engine\u2019s hydraulic arrangement and the compression ratio increased from 10.8:1 to 11.6:1. A dedicated control unit managed the revised engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peak torque was 400 Nm at 3,500 rpm. Power was delivered through a six-speed manual transmission with shorter ratios from third gear onward and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Audi quoted 5.6 seconds from rest to 100 km\/h and electronically limited maximum speed to 250 km\/h. The S6 plus also received a sport suspension and braking and running-gear revisions appropriate to its added performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DESIGN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The S6 plus retained the restrained shape of the C4 S6, but quattro GmbH gave it a small set of recognizable details. Six-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels filled its subtly flared wheel arches. The radiator-grille frame and several exterior accents were finished in black, while a model-specific badge combined a red Audi rhombus with blue and silver bars. The Avant also received a roof spoiler incorporating the third brake light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The catalogue emphasized the car\u2019s understatement. It contrasted the Avant\u2019s useful rear bodywork with the large wings worn by more conventional sports cars and presented the S6 plus as a car whose \u201cinnate energy\u201d was matched by \u201coutward restraint.\u201d That theme would become central to later Audi RS Avants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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INTERIOR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inside, the S6 plus paired familiar C4 architecture with materials and colors chosen by quattro GmbH. Leather and Alcantara upholstery was offered in Nogaro Blue, silver gray or anthracite, with anthracite natural leather also shown in the launch catalogue. Instrument faces could be specified in blue, light gray or anthracite with black trim rings. Carbon-fiber trim was standard to the catalogue presentation, while burr walnut was available for customers who preferred a more traditional finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sports seats, a leather-covered sport steering wheel, auxiliary instruments, air conditioning and the six-speed manual reinforced the car\u2019s dual role as a high-performance machine and a practical long-distance Avant. Beyond the published combinations, quattro GmbH invited customers to request other Audi colors, paint-to-sample finishes and still more individual interior treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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COLORS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The March 1996 launch catalogue highlighted two exterior colors exclusive to the S6 plus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n