New A6: go big or go home

AUDI: AVAILABLE ONLY IN SEDAN FOR NOW WITH RS4 AVANT SET TO FOLLOW

S6 uses mild hybrid technology and produces 331kW and 600Nm.

With pricing details of the new A6 and S6 having been revealed online recently, Audi has now officially announced complete details of its long-awaited mid-size sedan.

Shown at the Geneva Motor Show two years ago, the A6 and S6 will only be offered in sedan guise and with the choice, in the case of the former, of two TDI engines. The S6 will be petrol powered compared to the oil-burning equivalent sold in Europe.

In its base 40 TDI form, the A6 makes use of the long-serving 2.0 TDI engine that produces 140kW/400Nm.

Paired to a seven-speed S tronic gearbox with drive going to the front wheels only, the A6 will get from 0 to 100km/h in 8.4 sec and top out at 237km/h.

Equipment-wise, the 40 TDI comes standard with the 12.3inch virtual cockpit display instrument cluster, the 10.1-inch MMI plus infotainment system and the smaller 8.6-inch climate control display, LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels with up to 21-inches available, electric leather seats and two suspension options: the standard steel setup and steel springs with optional adaptive air suspension.

In addition to the S line exterior pack, two option packs are offered; the Comfort that boasts quad-zone climate control, heated front seats and keyless entry and the Sport, consisting of contoured ambient lighting, sport suspension and high-gloss exterior details.

Capping the regular range off is the 45 TDI that is motivated by the equally familiar 3.0 TDI engine that delivers 183kW and 600Nm and not 500Nm as previously reported.

Mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox, the 45 receives Audi’s rally derived quattro allwheel-drive system that boasts a self-locking centre differential.

Sitting at the top of the range, the S6 produces 331kW/600Nm from its 2.9 TFSI V6, which allows

A6 40 TDI S tronic ............................... R885 000 A6 45 TDI quattro Tiptronic ............... R1 059 000 S6 TFSI quattro Tiptronic .................. R1 349 500 A five-year/100 000km Audi freeway plan is standard on all models. for a limited top speed of 250km/h and 0 to 100km/h in 4.5sec. Like the A6 45 TDI, the S6 comes with quattro all-wheel-drive, but eschews the Tiptronic box for a seven-speed S tronic.

In combination with the six-cylinder engine, a 48 volt mild hybrid system is used.

The S6 can coast between 55 and 160km/h and the start-stop kicks in right from 22km/h. The mild hybrid technology based on 48V reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.7l/100km.

The flagship RS6 Avant is scheduled to become available in the second half of the year.