Audi S6 Test Mule Spied With Loud, Real Exhaust Beneath Fake Tips

Every now and then, we receive spy photos that raise more questions than answers. Such was the case with the Audi S6 which was caught in northern Europe during the final days of winter testing. It appears to be a US-spec car judging by the orange markings on the headlights, but it’s the rear that looks confusing. We’re not talking about the missing reflector on the passenger side as the exhaust has us scratching our heads trying to figure out what’s going on.

The monstrous fake ends of the normal A6 remain intact, but the test mule has the two original exhaust tips mounted closer to each other near the center. You won’t find that on the European-spec S6 where the S model’s signature quad exhaust splits in half at either corner of the rear bumper. Mind you, Audi sold the S6 on the Old Continent with a diesel engine and hides the original exhaust on the left side where there are two tips. All that is visible is the bait, which is not the case in the US and other countries where what you see is what you get.

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Then there is a bulge under the rear bumper on the driver’s side. It seems to be the sort of box you won’t find on the other side. Your guess is as good as what we tested Audi, but we got the impression that the S6 was used primarily for its body. In other words, Four Rings could test new hardware that might not necessarily make it to a BMW 5 Series competitor.

The vehicle went really low, even for the S6, and our spies told us it was unbelievably loud. Since it has an orange side market, it’s probably a gasoline-fueled version rather than a European oil burner with a 3.0-liter TDI V6. Whatever it is, the guys from Ingolstadt must be up to something and it involves a good machine.

We’ll remind you that the German luxury brand has ended development of internal combustion engines and will launch its last ICE-powered car in 2025. Eight years later, production of piston-powered cars will end, except in China where Audi says it may continue with conventional powertrains depending on the powertrain. local request.