Audi A6 Techy exec saloon
The chassis and cabin tech that debuted on the A7 and A8 hits the exec market with the new A6. Pity they forgot the pizzazz. By Jake Groves
SOMEONE PROMISING THE world then handing you an atlas can be more than a little disappointing. When Audi pulled the covers off the new A6 they said it would be filled with tech, have a ride like a magic carpet, handle better than ever before, make you breakfast, read bedtime stories to your kids… I’m getting off track here. Point is, there was a lot of pressure on the new A6 to perform. Can it deliver?
Let’s start with the immensely complicated basics: three engines with four power inputs, the entry point being a 201bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel (badged 40 TDI), a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with either 228 or 282bhp (45 TDI and 50 TDI) and a 3.0-litre V6 petrol with 335bhp (55 TFSI). All have auto ’boxes – the four-cylinder diesel and V6 petrol using a seven-speed DCT and the V6 diesels using a ZF eight-speeder – and all have mild hybrid technology as standard. This allows them to coast at speed with the engine off, as well as giving the engine a little boost and marginally improving fuel economy.
Pick the four-cylinder diesel and you can choose from front- or quattro all-wheel drive, with the sixes sending power to all four wheels as standard.
Since it’s an Audi, the choices don’t stop there. The two confirmed trims, Sport and S-line, have steel springs and 10mm lower sports springs respectively as standard but can be tweaked by adding adaptive dampers or air suspension and rear-wheel steering.
But the basic 40 TDI Sport, expected to come in at around £38k, is all you really need, particularly if you’ll be getting one as a company car. The 201bhp 2.0-litre TDI – an updated engine that makes its VW Group-wide debut in the A6 – is pokey enough for most tastes and should return the best mpg in the range. The engine note
is a bit gruff from outside, like most other four-cylinder diesels, but it’s so thoroughly insulated that the volume level is exceptionally low.
The 282bhp 50 TDI hasn’t changed much from the previous-gen A6’s V6; all you’ll hear is a distant gurgle from the front end if you floor the throttle, and the mid-range torque outstrips anything else in the range – perfect for your stereotypical outside-lane dweller.
Want a petrol? The only offering so far is the 55 TFSI (the car pictured here), which is about as close as you’ll get to an S6 right now. Having 335bhp under its belt makes for quite addictive acceleration accompanied by a tuneful tenor wail. It’s definitely overkill for UK buyers, but still a sweet powertrain.
Of the four suspension options, you won’t feel hard done by using the regular steel springs – handling is composed and body roll is minimal. Air springs deliver the smoothest ride in general, but can become unsettled after a series of nasty ruts, wobbling you in your seat like you’ve sat on a water bed. The biggest surprise is that the sports set-up no longer shatters your spine; in fact ride quality is similar to the regular suspension, while roll is almost nonexistent. That’s useful progress. There’s also a marked improvement in the level of steering communication and feel; cornering an A6 is less arduous than is used to be, as Audi’s engineers have finally figured out that the big disc-shaped thing you grab onto has something to do with how the front wheels move… But it’s still no BMW 5-series on this front.
The clever rear-wheel steering, meanwhile, allows the A6’s turning circle to almost match that of an A3 hatch, although in truth it doesn’t feel all that necessary unless you frequent particularly skinny city streets and tight multi-storeys.
The same thinking recently applied to the new A8 and A7 interiors has been applied again here, and it’s a really comfortable place to be. Lanky folk can sit behind equally lanky folk too, due to the A6’s growth in wheelbase, and the new shape does not bring any loss of boot space.
Cabin material quality is up to Audi’s usual standards but we’re still not convinced by the twin-touchscreen infotainment system, despite the hi-res displays and organised layout. You still have to concentrate on it a tad too long, particularly with the lower climate control menu, and it’s still subject to fingerprint smudges within moments.
Regardless of your engine choice or even suspension set-up, if you’re buying a new A6 you’ll be treated to a handsome, well-appointed and very refined exec cruiser. It remains a bit po-faced, and still isn’t the last word in sparkling dynamics, but in that regard in particular it’s much improved. Audi’s chassis engineers can finally get a good night’s sleep.
AUDI A6 55 TFSI S LINE
> Price £55,000 (est)
> Engine 2995cc 24v turbocharged V6, 335bhp @ 5000rpm, 369lb ft @ 1370rpm > Transmission 7-speed dual-clutch auto,
all-wheel drive
> Performance 5.1sec 062mph, 155mph (limited), 47.1mpg (WLTP), 135g/km CO2 (WLTP) > Weight 1835kg
> On sale Summer