What Does S Line Mean On Audi A6? (A3, A4, A5

Have you ever wondered what does S line means on Audi A6? Look no more. We´ve got you covered.

Founded in 1899, and whose modern name came along in 1910, Audi has been a part of the car manufacturing industry for over a century.

Nowadays, as a subsidiary of Volkswagen, Audi manufactures luxury cars, including the Audi A6.

So, what does S line mean on Audi A6? S line trims are Audi’s attempt at bringing a sportier look and appeal to many of their luxury sedan models. Audi S line is a high-end sport trim available on most Audi models like A4 and A5. In the case of the A6, it means different interior designs, sport suspension, performance tires, different wheels, badges, bumpers, aluminum trim, and Audi Drive Select.

The A6 has an MSRP of $54,900 and already comes with a host of high-tech features and luxury innovations. The S line only accents that, rather than replacing.

Table of Contents

What Does The S Line Bring To The A6?

The S line trim is available for the Audi A6 Saloon and Avant and it adds a style that’s similar to the Audi S lineup while retaining the spacious interior of the A6.

S line comes with a sportier suspension set up, larger alloy wheels, and all-leather sports seats, just to name a few.

Larger Alloy Wheels
Streamlined S Line badge on Driver’s Side Quarter Panel
More Aggressive Front Bumper Profile
Audi Drive Select
Sport Seats
Daytime LED Running Lights
Sport Suspension
Improved Infotainment

There are quite a few refinements with the S Line version of the A6. If there is a point against it, however, it’s that the lowered suspension—A6 going for the more sporty feel—doesn’t exactly jive with the rest of the A6, giving it a stiff feel that doesn’t exist in the standard version.

Audi Drive Select is a neat feature, allowing you to change the feel of the suspension with a choice of four different levels.

Comfort
Auto
Dynamic
Individual

At the comfort level, shifting takes place at lower RPMs, and the overall comfort level while driving the A6 is increased.

The Auto level is a kind of jack of all trades, better situated for everyday use of the vehicle, like the daily drive to work or a trip up to the store.

Dynamic is the exact opposite of comfort, with the shifting taking place at higher RPMs and far more responsiveness to changes with steering, acceleration, and braking.

The individual is essentially full customization mode, where you can take the preferences from any of the above levels and incorporate them into one setting, so long as it stays within the A6’s specs and parameters.

Daytime LED running lights replace the standard Xenon lights, while the sportier exterior trim, larger wheels, and more aggressive profile alter the sedan look to more of a streamlined sports car or something directly in between.

Lastly, the sports seats don’t detract from the comfort and luxury of the interior, while adding a larger sense of power and speed.

Is The S Line Worth The Higher Price Tag?

At almost $10,000 more, the S line may be worth it to some, while the stiff feel of the suspension will probably turn many away. Long-distance trips can easily become uncomfortable, even with the Audi Drive Select functions at your disposal.

Other than aesthetic value—which some would place on a higher bracket than functionality—there’s not much that sets the two apart performance-wise.

The S line doesn’t modify the engine in either the Avant or the Saloon, so don’t expect a boost in horsepower. There are three engines that come with the Audi A6:

40 TFSI S TRONIC 2L Petrol 204HP
40 TDI S TRONIC 2L Diesel 204HP
40 TDI QUATTRO S TRONIC Diesel 2L 204HP

The most dramatic change the S line brings to the performance table is the suspension but it’s arguable as to whether that’s a good or a bad thing, considering the reviews on it aren’t that great.

The main area that the S line truly separates itself from the standard A6 is the infotainment additions.

Amazon Alexa Compatibility
Apple Carplay
Voice Control System
Audi Parking System Plus
1080p HD Touchscreen Display
DAB Digital Radio

The S line packs far more entertainment value into its interactive system than the standard A6. The sound system has a significant boost as well.

Whether Siri or Alexa is your thing, voice commands are essential on the road, to keep your eyes where they need to be.

The entire setup also looks fantastic as well, with a wood-finished dash combined with stitched leather that encapsulates the HD display with shiny, aluminum trim. It’s definitely up to Audi standards where luxury is concerned.

The DAB digital radio is also an excellent addition, forgoing the interference-prone FM (Frequency Modulation) in favor of crisp audio free of interference. If there’s a reason to pick the S line, the infotainment will be a large part of it.

What’s The Difference Between A6 Saloon And Avant S Lines?

What the S line brings to the Avant, it also brings to the Saloon. As far as the two models are concerned, they’re absolutely identical in every aspect save for looks.

The A6 adds height in the back half and that is essentially the difference between the two vehicles. The A6 Saloon is more streamlined, while the Avant has a similar appearance to a hatchback or mid-compact SUV.

The S line version of both models comes with identical packages so the ultimate choice between the two revolves around aesthetics.

Is The Audi A6 The Only Audi That Offers S Line?

The S line trim is available on a wide range of Audi models outside of just the A6. Audi’s attempt to offer a streamlined, sporty edition to some of its existing models extends to several other lines as well.

Audi A1
Audi A3 Sportback, Saloon, and Cabriolet
Audi A4 Avant and Saloon
Three Audi A5s
The Audi A6 Avant and Saloon
Audi A7 Sportback and Audi A8
Audi Q2 – Q8
Audi TT Coupe and TT Roadster
Audi e-Tron

It’s obviously a pretty popular trim as Audi has extended it well beyond just a few models to incorporate a large portion of Audi offerings. Also, the Audi S-line makes up the majority of the Audis on the road.

Much of that trend is probably owed more to the current generation’s infatuation with anything that has a screen over aesthetics alone. But regardless, the S line is proving to be a popular trim both in the UK and the US.

All Things Considered

There’s no arguing the fact that Audi has a very complicated range of vehicles. S line is just one of the many optional trims available for a host of different models, numbers, premiums, premium plus, and many versions of the same car across the spectrum.

While the S line doesn’t bring much in the way of performance to the A6, Audi’s sportification of the A6 resulted in popular demand, improved aesthetics, superior interior design, and a cascade of premium technological features lacking in the standard version.

It stands to reason that the A6 S line stands amongst many others as proof that the S line is a solid trim that appeals to a wide consumer base.

As a result, there’s little doubt that Audi will continue offering the sport trim in most, if not all, of its future models.

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