Audi S6 (C6) | Spotted

There can’t have been any performance derivatives over the years, let alone just supersaloons, that have chopped and changed between engine configurations as much as the Audi S6. Sometimes, and arguably never more than now with the S6 e-tron, it almost seemed like Audi hadn’t known what was coming next. As well as an electric S6 (which you wouldn’t be against returning to combustion in some form, given its lack of popularity), there have been 2.2-litre, five-cylinder ones, V8 ones with and without turbos, diesel S6s and even a V6. Not all markets received all engines, but still, it’s an astonishing array of powertrains across 30 years. 

And all those are without mentioning perhaps the most famous S6 powertrain of all: the 5.2-litre V10. Launched 20 years ago for the C6 generation, the V10 S6 flew under the radar somewhat at the time – and continues to do so. Partly that was because of its incredible discreet design, with the bare minimum of cues to mark it out as a 435hp S6. These days, with grilles and wheels bigger than ever for all manufacturers, it would take a true connoisseur to spot the badges and silver accents here. The V10 S6 is one of the ultimate Q cars. 

Another reason for the S6’s modest impact is the simple fact that it was far from the most exciting V10 saloon around at the time. Such was the craziness of the mid-2000s. BMW had recently launched its fast and furious 507hp M5, and a twin-turbo RS6 was imminent. With less power, fewer revs and not so much joy behind the wheel, the S6 kind of became a forgotten ubersaloon. 

And while the passage of 20 years won’t have sharpened up the driving experience, it’s done plenty for the appeal of a giant V10 in a very smart Audi. Even if the facelift C6 wasn’t quite as cool as the original, this remains a great era for Audi design inside and out; you’d still be more than happy sat in this interior and arriving (at the petrol station) in this saloon 17 years after first registration. An S6 plate would obviously take the year from it if desired, but then that also feels a tad obvious for such a subtle saloon…

These days a good V10 S6 is very hard to find. Primarily that will be because there never were very many, but also given their reputation for jaw-dropping running costs. Sometimes maintenance hasn’t always been to the exacting standards required. Squeezing so much engine into an A6 makes working on the V10 difficult, before even thinking about needing 25 per cent more stuff – injectors, coil packs, plugs – than even a V8. 

Although the ad for this one is frustratingly short on detail, the overall condition seems fantastic and the MOT history is really encouraging. Now showing just 46k, a couple of thousand miles have been added every year – it’s the very opposite of a high miles motorway hack. Yet it’s for sale at £10,950, or a whole lot less than those better known V10s of the era. Which might make the big bills harder to justify when they come, but on the other hand it’s hard to imagine 5.2-litre anythings ever being worth less than £10k. Particularly when they look this good.

Engine: 5,204cc V10
Transmission: 6-speed tiptronic, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 435@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 398@3,000-4,000rpm
CO2: 299g/km
MPG: 22.4
First registered: 2009
Recorded mileage: 46,550
Price new: £56,600
Yours for: £10,950