Here’s What You Need To Know About Audi S6 And S7’s New V6 TFSI With Electric-Powered Compressor

Buyers in the United States will now be able to sample Audi’s new Electric-Powered Compressor (EPC) technology by purchasing either a 2020 S6 or S7 model.

With both, you get the EPC paired to the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged TFSI V6 unit, which also features an electric motor with a small turbine that helps quickly build turbo boost pressure, reducing lag and sharpening the throttle response.

The EPC uses Audi’s latest 48V mild hybrid electrical architecture, supplying electric power generated during coasting and recuperation to the car’s 9.6 Ah lithium-ion battery. From there, the battery provides the electric motor energy so as to increase pressure and torque delivery. The whole EPC system is said to add just 10 kg (22 lbs) to the car’s total weight, while reducing response time to less than 250 milliseconds.

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Audi placed the compressor “downstream” of the engine’s parallel twin turbochargers, but “upstream” to the air-to-water intercooler. At lower engine speeds, the EPC activates at speeds up to 70,000 rpm, helping the engine run smoothly, much like a naturally-aspirated unit would.

“When the V6 TFSI engine is operating at higher speeds, a valve for the EPC closes, leaving a parallel path for air to move throughout the engine. However, the EPC is always operating, even when idle, ready to respond to the driver’s needs for more power.”

That’s great, but what about performance?

Whether you buy the 2020 Audi S6 or the S7, you get the same 2.9-liter V6 TFSI unit with 444 HP (450 PS) and 443 lb-ft (601 Nm) of torque – 37 lb-ft (50 Nm) more than their V8-powered predecessors.

In a straight line, you can accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.4 seconds with the S6, and 4.5 seconds with the slightly heavier S7 Sportback. Pricing for the former starts at $73,900, while the latter costs north of $83,900.