By Stuart Lowe
Okay, so it’s the wrong model and an entirely different model to our long-termer, but I was pleased to see the new Audi A6 roll across the grass at the announcement of the Wesbank Car of the Year finalists at last week’s Johannesburg International Motor Show. I have had the “old” A6 for a long-term test for some 15 000 kilometers so I feel connected to the evolution of the A6. Mine is the entry-level 2,0-litre turbopetrol, clearly a very different car to the full house, 3,0-litre turbodiesel Quattro now in the limelight.
From a styling perspective, I was hoping that Audi would be a little more adventurous. Sure, this is a conservative segment with many drivers hanging a suit jacket behind the driver’s seat, but I think the rival executive sedans have been slightly bolder with their design evolutions. That said, I really like the new A6 and particularly the front grille and headlamps.
Thanks to increased use of aluminium, the A6 finalist is also significantly lighter than my test unit which will help when they drop a 2,0-litre turbopetrol into the new setup. The 125 kW output from my 2,0-litre engine is a little on the light side, particularly when moving off the mark. On the open road, however, the powerplant does the job effortlessly.
The only area where the old is better than the new is in the boot. The new A6 sits on the underpinnings and suspension setup of the excellent new A7 and one of the compromises has been in the size of the boot, which is a few litres smaller than the old A6.
The cabin of our entry-level unit is sparse compared with the Car of the Year finalist. But, apart from the quality of the finishes and the pure visual appeal of the new (and full-house version) I don’t miss many of the extras. The two things I do miss are electric seat adjustment and cupholders – something I’m reminded of often by rear-seat passengers!
The mid-size executive sedan market is incredibly competitive, particularly at the entry-level end which provides that all important conduit for customers coming into the premium segment. Audi has not enjoyed much take-up with the entry-level A6 we have on test but I suspect it will have more success with the next incarnation and the exposure from its finalist status will hopefully help in the battle against the other German executive sedans.
Odo: 14 145 km
We like: Multiple gearshift options, cruise control, boot size
We don’t like: turbo lag, shortage of cupholders
Fuel economy: 13,2 litres/100 km