Faced with the Solomonic decision to choose which Audi premium models they liked most, the editors of Car & Driver gave up and instead named four models as a single entry on the magazine’s list of “10 Best Cars” for 2013: Audi A6 3.0T, Audi S6, Audi A7 3.0T, and Audi S7.
The editors explained in part why they weren’t able to favor one of these superior automobiles over the others.
“Understated bodies cover stout structures into which Audi crafts beautiful and sensible interiors, without unnecessary complication,” the magazine said. “Combine that with an unflappable chassis, accurate steering, ample power, and a general sense of quality and you have an unbeatable luxury/sports-car range.”
But specifically, Car & Driver lauded the new “S” performance additions to the Audi stable at the high end of the premium market.
“For the S6 and S7, Audi takes the ‘A’ models’ rich mix of virtues and turns it lethal, thanks in no small part to a 420-hp, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8,” the “10 Best” article said. The magazine noted that in a recent comparison test, S6 “put the hurt on the vastly more powerful BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E632 AMG.”
And the story exulted that, “on the road, the S6 is an inexhaustible cannon, more cohesive and less fiddly than cars costing an additional $20,000.”
It was the second year in a row that Car & Driver liked this Audi model range so much. Last year, it named the A6 3.0T and A7 models to its “10 Best Cars of 2012” list.