Is form and presence an integral function in car design? More so than ever before in the history of the car industry, it’s a resounding yes.
One car designer, Chris Bangle, now former head of BMW Group’s Design department, feels that modern cars, by design, are rolling works of art built to fit into their respective environments. I’ve taken that to heart as I look at car design, trying to appreciate the car for it’s stance, lines and curves just as much as I appreciate it’s drivability and peformance.
My perception of what car design can be was altered by Audi last night. After leaving the family’s BMW E60 5 Series at the valet, we walked into an upscale restaurant to grab a beeper and wait for the first available table. While walking around the stores by the restaurant I came across a beautiful Phantom Black Audi S8, parked between Loius Vuitton and Brooks Brothers stores, looking every bit the part of a $100,000 luxo barge that can hit 60mph in under 5 and aptly parked in front of two other upscale, elegant brands.
After the buzzer went off and we made our way back to the restaurant, I came across a brand new also-Phantom Black S6 parked in front of the restaurant. After giving it a few walk-arounds, my family managed to pull me away and into the restaurant where we got a table by the windows that happened to overlook the exact spot where the S6 was parked.
I spent most of dinner studying the car and decided that I absolutely love the exterior design of the car. Oddly enough, by the end of dinner, I’d decided I liked the C6-platformed S6 even more so than the current E60 M5. Surprising? Maybe, the M5 is currently the fastest, best-handling sport sedan available and I do like performance. However, it seems everyone has an M5, much less an E60 5 Series. I typically see 2 or 3 M5’s on the way to work each day let alone the dozens of 5 Series, a commute on which I rarely see an A6 and there’s never an S6 to be found.
It was refreshing to not see an M5 for a change - a car which has lost most of the subtlety on which it was built. The design of the M5 has gone from a subdued, barely recognizable Ferrari-killing sedan to a blatant, in-your-face styled car with its huge M-body kits, quad exhausts, and silly air vents along the front fenders. It’s trying too hard to distinguish itself as a sporting car when it shouldn’t be; the E63 AMG is just as bad as well. Heck, even the BMW 550i is forcing the issue with it’s M Sport package dressing it up to be an M5-look-a-like. The essence of a “Q car” has been lost by the same company that created it.
This is what I love about the S6 though, it’s subdued nature. It carries the heart of a Lambo Gallardo, though detuned to about 435HP, it’s still plenty quick producing a 0 to 60 time in the Porsche 911/Cayman range all while seating 5 comfortably - but doing so with a very understated and sneaky exterior design. Honestly, upon approaching the S6 I saw while at dinner, I initially thought it was an A6 3.0T before noticng the small “v10″ badging on each of the front fenders - probably the S6’s cheesiest design touch. But, that’s what I want to drive, I want the James Bond-esque brute-in-a-tuxed0 that can cruise around unnoticed but has the power to bloody the nose of most opponents it encounters.
The M5 just looks like a car that always wants to race from stop light to stop light - more a modern muscle car than luxury whip - always shouting “hey, look! I’ve got an F1-derived engine and let me tell you about my Nurburgring times!” It’s begun to lose the luster of previous M5’s with brutal power hidden beneath calm, quiet exteriors. I want more than that, especially in terms of design, I want something that can look the part of an $75,000+ car, not just perform like one. The base of the M5, the E60 5 Series, is plain awkward and at times its design shows that making it hard to fit in with newer company like the Jag XFR or facelifted A6, who are much more attractive in their base trim, let alone the faster R and S siblings, respectively.
For my money, I can’t rationalize an M5 when I know there’s a perfectly capable, more attractive and likely more useable V10 sedan out there than can go about it’s business with nobody none the wiser. The S6 just carries with it so much more presence and handsome looks over the M5 while still satisfying the driver - for me, the design is as important as the performance, a balancing act that the S6 has yet to be rivaled on.
I must say, by the end of dinner, I was disappointed to find myself at the valet stand getting into an BMW E60 5 series instead of a Phantom Black S6.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
this whole post just seems to talk down the m5 instead of talking about the merits of the s6. i’d prefer to hear more about why you like the s6 rather than how ostentatious and shouty you think the m5 is.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Move over S6, I want the Hyundai Genesis.
The other day, I pulled up to IHOP in my Audi S6, looked out the window at a Genesis and said, “now that is a stealth cruiser” - completely badge-less, and very rare indeed!
Nowadays, the S6 is just so radical and outward with its styling, i just need a car with less personality, and I think it is the Genesis.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:30 pm
this whole review is based on what you know of your “family’s E60 5 Series” (probably not a M5, or it would’ve been stated as so) and a S6 that you’ve taken a walk around?
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I see your points and the article wasn’t necessarily meant to be a review of the S6 but more observation in terms of design, I prefer the S6 because of it’s understated nature. It’s what the M5 used to be and what I think the M5 should still be.
That said, the M5 styling is a little too much compared to what it used to be, losing it’s Q car status - in my opion. I think the S6 does this very well with good performance - it’s a good all-rounder with quattro and the V10 plus the comfort of an A6. Will it beat an M5? Not likely, the M5 is a more hardcore car but for this type of car, I’d take the S6 due to it’s subtle styling good performance and all-round Q car status.
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:54 pm
And then you awoke from your lustful dream, pleased to find that you were piloting a much more responsive car - your own E60 5er
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:08 am
What is S6…M5 competitor? Get real!!! Wake up and smell the coffee:-) At-least try RS6.
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:48 am
I agree that the RS6 is a competitor to the M5, but unfortunately for us, it’s not available in the US.
I also agree that the M5 is more of a car, but I see the writer’s point of view as well, FOR HIS MONEY, the S6 offers what he wants and it is not far from an M5.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 am
Daniel hit the nail on the head - the U.S. doesn’t get the C6 RS6 so we’re out of luck on having a true M5 competitor. What I like about the S6, for the money, it does a lot, especially $10k cheaper than an M5.
Power and agility aren’t king, in mind, in this segment. If you’re looking for a track car or something to hoon around - odds are you’re not shopping in the near $100k sport sedan category anyway.
March 4th, 2009 at 3:01 am
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder….. How can you say that this Audi looks good it is UGLY with that HUGE air intake. Looks like the MASK movie when he opens his mouth. The M5 looks so much more mean and purposeful. You see each have their own point of view, yours is as good as mine. Nothing comes close to the M5…. If Audi stopped trying to copy and use their own initiative they might get there. BMW is always 2 years ahead of Audi so they are playing follow the leader. Let’s compare Engineering and not looks. BMW is an Engineering symphony.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:27 am
@Normal Person - As I’ve said, if this were a direct comparison, then I’d talk about the RS6 but unfortunately, the U.S. market doesn’t get that model.
March 6th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
@Normal Person - There are so many things wrong with what you just said. Stop drinking the BMW kool-aid and open your eyes.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:55 am
The reviewer says for his money at 75k - - - well for 75k he will be about 20k short when he goes to buy an M5. He may think there is little difference between his 5er and an M5 but there is no comparison, a 550I is not even close even with an M package.
March 10th, 2009 at 10:29 am
As stated over and over, the RS6 is the true competitor for the M5. However, in the U.S. market, without the RS6, the closest Audi to the M5 is the S6 and for the money, the Audi is a good car without a price tag like the M5 that climbs up closer to $100k with options added.
I’m well aware of the difference of an M5 over the 550i.
April 15th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I am sorry guys but the M5 is the fastest sedan in the world. In 2008 Mercedes E63 AMG took over that spot but shortly after that (Dec 23 2008)the almighty M5 took it place again as the world fastest sedan with it newer version M5 Hurican RS with it 750 hp under the hood, yes baby BMW M5 all the way!!!
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Power without control is nothing!
While the M5 has its merits, the S6 is a very real competitor! The game is not only raw HP under the hood. The way power is handled, the torque curve , or more importantly the useful torque curve range.
Weight distribution, suspension etc etc. The S6 is a great handler and has the grunt to handle the road given its weight class.
For creature comfort the S6 is unbeatable, the car fits to you! I can drive the A6 all day get out and feel refreshed, not so in any M series!
I would certainly look at an S6
March 29th, 2010 at 10:50 am
The CTS-V is the fastest sedan in the world now.
March 29th, 2010 at 10:51 am
and the s6 is dope.
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