Visual impressions
Styling is subjective, but I felt both cars were rather conservative - neither would catch my eye on the streets of LA. The aerodynamics and wheels lacked creativity and didn't portray the performance of the cars, although they have a sleeper look that someone who doesn't want attention would appreciate.
One highlight of the S6 was its LED running lights - five bright LEDs on either side of the car represent each side's five cylinders.
The interior was more what I expected from a luxury sedan. Believe it or not, Audi uses 'nose' and 'creak and cracking' teams to ensure the cars smell good and don't make unnecessary noise.
Both cockpits have ample space and the front seats were sporty thanks to an integrated headrest and side bolsters. The door cards and headliner were suede while the seats were two-tone leather. Both cars also featured gorgeous carbon trim.
The sound system in the S8 stole my heart with tweeters that emerge from the dash. The Bang & Olufsen 14-speaker, 1000W upgrade is pricey at $6300 but worth it.
Another nice feature is the Music Interface with iPod integration that will allow iPod menus to appear in the instrument cluster, showing artist, title and album.
The S6 and S8 combine sport and luxury exceptionally well. One day, when I have the disposable income, I might consider one of these talented sedans for myself.
S4 Cabriolet and RS4
Audi was gracious enough to let me drive two other cars. The first was a S4 Cabriolet. With 340hp, the car had decent power and accelerated well. The exhaust rumble was better than the S6 and S8, especially with the top down. It could have used more top-end power, but handling was above average.
The second car was the RS4. Now, this was everything I'd imagined it to be. Starting the car and accelerating out of the parking lot, the exhaust note was perfect. I took it on the highway and hit the "S" button that tightens the throttle response and makes the voice of the 4.2 liter V8 FSI more distinct.
Overall, the power, handling and traction were phenomenal. Even on high-speed runs, I could turn at speeds I never imagined possible in a factory-tuned car.
After raging on the freeway, I headed toward Montreal to cruise and test acceleration from a stop. The quattro keeps the car planted and when sharp cornering was required, the 60/40 rear torque split enables the tires to break loose in a drift while remaining under complete control.
I finished the test drive in the Catherine Street shopping district and the yellow RS4 grabbed attention. With a deep exhaust note and aggressive styling, it has the stance of an exotic car.