For this generation of Audi S6, the Germans downsized and switched to diesel. But at least the S6 TDI is the fastest car of its kind, right? Nope, BMW has that covered with the M550d.
The Bavarians were the first to recognize the European market would need a high-performance 3-liter diesel engine. The original "M50d" setup came out in 2013 with three turbochargers and an output of 381 hp.
Last year, this was replaced by a quad-turbo configuration making 400 hp. The S6 Avant sports a new Audi engine as well. It's twin-turbocharged and also boasts one of those electric superchargers to compensate for turbo lag.
However, while all animals are created equal, some are more equal than others. This acceleration comparison from Dutch magazine AutoTopNL proves the M550d is quicker not only on paper but also in the real world.
Between their times to 100 km/h (4.8 and 5.3 seconds), we see a hap of half a second. This might seem insignificant, but it's about the same as that between an S3 and RS3. So basically, both cars are mid-size luxury wagons with performance diesel powertrains and AWD, but BMW makes the quicker car.
These cars don't sell in significant volumes, but they are a source of pride for their respective makers. After all, Audi is still synonymous with TDI.
However, things don't all go the way of the BMW because it's somehow significantly more expensive. The M550d xDrive starts from €91,800 in Germany while the S6 TDI Avant is only €79,000. That's a €12,800 gap, so it's like financing a Skoda Fabia on the side.
I would do that in a heartbeat for something that's emblematic or different, but the S6 and M550d are neither. So either you live the first days of the electric revolution with a Tesla or get the RS6.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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