Audi has lifted the covers off its new A6 ahead of the official public debut of the eighth-generation version of the sedan at the Geneva International Motor Show.
Like the new A8 and A7 Sportback models, the A6 gains Audi’s latest design language. But, as has become the norm at Ingolstadt, the styling updates are evolutionary. At 4 939 mm, the new A6 is a 7 mm longer than its predecessor, while width and height have been increased by 12 mm and 2 mm, respectively.
Inside, the German automaker says the new A6 beats the outgoing model and “core competitors” (which include the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class) on rear legroom, adding that the luggage compartment now offers more loading width (even if the claimed capacity remains unchanged at 530 litres).
Audi says that its new A6 is “noticeably sportier” than the outgoing model, chiefly thanks to “innovative solutions” for the suspension. The new model gains dynamic all-wheel steering, a variable steering ratio and redesigned wheel suspension fashioned largely from lightweight aluminium. Audi will offer a choice of four variants for the suspension setup: the conventional steel spring suspension, the sport suspension, the suspension with damper control, and the adaptive air suspension, also with controlled damping.
All engines in the new A6 will come with the brand’s new mild-hybrid technology, pairing a belt alternator starter with a lithium-ion battery. The start-stop function kicks in up to 22 km/h, with the engine being restarted from standstill “predictively” when the vehicle in front of the sedan starts moving. During deceleration, the system recovers up to 12 kW of energy, which Audi says will help to reduce “real-world” fuel consumption by up to 0,7 L/100 km.
While local powertrain options have yet to be revealed, the new Audi A6 will be offered with two engines (one diesel and one petrol) at launch in Europe. The 3,0 TFSI is the brand’s familiar turbocharged V6, which hustles the A6 from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 5,1 seconds thanks to its 250 kW and 500 N.m outputs. The 3,0 TDI, meanwhile, makes 210 kW and 620 N.m, and is paired with an eight-speed tiptronic transmission (the 3,0 TFSI is mated to a seven-speed S tronic). Both feature all-wheel drive as standard.
Audi promises that the latest MMI touch response system (with haptic and acoustic feedback) in the new A6 “sets new standards” in terms of intuitive operation and personalisation. The all-digital system allows central vehicle functions to be placed in the required position in the MMI screen using a drag-and-drop function.
The driver manages the infotainment system on the top display, which has a 10,1-inch screen diagonal if MMI navigation plus (which also adds the Audi virtual cockpit, with its 12,3-inch display) has been specified. The lower 8,6-inch display, sited in the console in the centre tunnel, is used for the climate control and other “convenience functions”.
New driver assistance systems, such as “parking pilot” and “garage pilot”, which autonomously manoeuvre the A6 into and out of a parking space or garage, will also be offered.
