THEY may look decidedly different, but under the skin the Audi S6 sedan and S7 fastback use the same twin-turbo V8 (in place of the old S6’s Lamborghini V10), dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Now in its fourth-generation, Audi’s second-hottest A6 variant – the forthcoming RS6 will take that throne – and its S7 offshoot are both pitched as being slightly sexier and faster than their regular A6 and A7 cousins, but less extreme than BMW’s hardcore M Cars or Benz’s ballistic AMG models.

Both Audis will come here in strictly limited numbers, with plenty of punch, luxurious cabins and supple road manners, but at the same time they feel a bit inert, lacking the ‘mongrel’ edge and sense of occasion we would expect in a sporty car priced near $200k on the road.

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