Audi unveils all-new A6 As the executive saloon war rages on in Germany, every brand’s latest release claims, and often turns out to be in many ways, better than its competitive product. While this is not always the subjective case, what ultimately holds true is that the revised model is better than the one it replaces and very often that’s enough to keep consumers happy and competition healthy. It also ensures that the big-name manufacturers go all out to match, if not better, whatever technology or developments are available from their rivals and, in so doing, creates a giant melting pot of shared advances in crucial areas of fuel efficiency and emissions reductions, which they have no choice but to boil in.
The last contributor to the pot threw in four rings, the letter A and the number 6, and in many ways it has pulled together the ingredients into a very appetizing offer indeed. Arriving early 2011, the completely new Audi A6 will centre its offer around lightweight construction, high tech innovations in the cockpit and under the hood, as well as major efficiency improvements across the model range. Much of the body of the new Audi A6 consists of aluminum and high-tech steels, making it light, stiff and safe, while modern design methods and materials ensure extremely low interior noise levels. Comfort and elegance has always been a mainstay of the A6 offering and some precision tuning of all components and systematic hydraulic damping in the axle and drivetrain bearings provide excellent vibration dampening and passenger comfort.
For a mid level luxury saloon, the new A6 strikes a sporty, almost aggressive pose with its long engine hood, low (1.46 metres high) sweeping roofline and the prominent lines on the flanks, to create a dynamic overall appearance. Audi’s optional-but-ubiquitous LED headlights and daytime running light patterns emphasize the striking expression at the front; still their trademark for the moment while others rush to copy it with varied success.
Audi offers the A6 with a choice of five engines: two petrol and three TDI units. These power plants develop between 130 kW and 220 kW and all make use of many of the available technologies from the brand’s modular efficiency platform, such as the start-stop system, braking energy recovery system and an innovative thermal management concept. The net effect is that throughout the entire model line, fuel consumption has decreased by up to 19% compared to the previous model. The various engines will deliver power to a manual six-speed gearbox, a continuously variable multitronic transmission, or their brand-new S-tronic box. Each unit is precisely tuned and features a wide gear-ratio spread, thereby making a significant contribution to the sedan’s efficiency. Final drive will be to the front wheels or make use of Audi’s much lauded Quattro system. For the top-of-the-line engines, Audi will offer an optional sport differential. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system is standard and the front-wheel-drive models have ESP with electronic limited-slip differential on board. For enhanced comfort, adaptive air suspension with controlled
damping is available as an option, as well as dynamic steering in the near future. Furthermore, the A6 hybrid will be available from Audi at an as yet unannounced date. Serving up 180kW of system performance, its 2.0 TFSI plus electric motor should achieve efficient and sporty acceleration with an average fuel consumption of only 6.2liters/100km. Just remind yourself that this refers to a petrol, not diesel engine, so these statistics are impressive to say the least.
Inside, the spacious interior of the new Audi A6 echoes the elegant style of the exterior. The salient element is the “wrap-around” – an inlay encircling the driver and the front-seat passenger. The elegantly curved dash panel, chrome accents, layout and finishes are of Audi’s usual excellent design and quality levels, and according to Audi are “designed to place the driver at the center of the interior.” Some of the interior appointments, beyond the expected, include Audi’s touchpad driven MMI entertainment, navigation and driver information system, extra efficient automatic multi-zone air-conditioning, and an optional head-up display. Another interesting addition is that the MMI system will feature internet enabled online services, developed through a partnership between Audi and Google, to connect the full-sized sedan to the Internet via the Bluetooth car phone. A UMTS module pulls images and information from Google Earth up on the monitor and integrates them with the navigation route, and WLAN hotspots can also provide contact to mobile terminals on board. Geeks will love it and travelling executives too. And while not browsing the net, checking routes or replying
to your e-mail, passengers can immerse themselves in the brilliant (but optional) Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. MMI navigation Plus in the A6 takes things even further by working together with the optional assistance and safety systems – it forwards the route data to the control units for the headlights, the automatic transmission and the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function; this enables these systems to recognize complex scenarios and assist the driver. In many situations, the Audi pre sense safety system is able to reduce accidents and their consequences, or even prevent them altogether by pulling together and acting or informing the driver of these situations and potential hazards. Active lane assist also helps the driver keep the A6 on course and awake, and the park assist system relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parallel parking The all new A6 will be launched internationally in early 2011 and South Africa should enjoy some of the first bragging rights soon thereafter. Pricing and final specifications of the various models will be announced closer to this time. - Kevin Willemse