Audi reveals new A6 01 | 12 | 2010
THIS IS THE first official look at the all-new Audi A6 which will enter Scottish showrooms next April. And yes, it is the A6, and not the A8; though the similarities are uncanny.
A whole raft of standard equipment, plus state-of-the-art technology, industry-leading refinement and efficiency, plus a cabin complete with outstanding materials will ensure the new A6 is a serious contender in the competitive market place.
As underwhelming some people might find the new model's styling, beneath the calm, composed exterior lies a car fit for the next decade. The A6 is a serious player on the world stage: the last A6 has outsold both BMW’s 5-series and Mercedes’ E-class globally.
Rather surprisingly, in an industry which tends to ensure ever new car is bigger than the model it replaces, the new A6 is actually slightly shorter than the outgoing car; plus it has a lower roofline. It is though wider than the previous model, plus the shorter front overhang and longer overall wheelbase guarantees greater legroom and shoulder room throughout the cabin.
It's also 80kg lighter than the outgoing model, despite carrying more electronic wizardry. Audi's clever use of aluminium — it accounts for 20% of the new car's structure — means it's 15% lighter than had it been made exclusively from mild steel. The car’s doors, wings, bonnet, bootlid and bumpers are also aluminium.
Buyers across Scotland will have four engines to choose from when it enters the dealerships. At launch there will be a 175bhp, 280lb ft 2.0-litre TDI, which is understandably likely to be fleet-favoured volume seller. Fitted with a six-speed manual ’box, it will be good for 62mph in 8.7sec but will emit only 127g/km of CO2 and should consume just 57.5mpg on the combined cycle.
A further two diesel powerplants will also be available; both will use Audi’s new 3.0-litre common-rail V6. The detuned 202bhp version will be offered with Audi’s optional Multitronic continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. It emits 137g/km of CO2 and returns 54.2mpg.
The higher-output 243bhp V6 diesel will get quattro four-wheel drive and Audi’s seven-speed S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox. With 369lb ft of torque from 1400rpm, it should crack 62mph in 6.1sec, consume an average of 47mpg and emit 157g/km of CO2.
The petrol range will not include an eight-cylinder engine; Audi has opted to ignore the 202bhp 2.8-litre normally aspirated V6 FSI available across the rest of Europe and instead banked on the 3.0 TFSI. This comes with 298bhp, 325lb ft of torque, quattro four-wheel drive and a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox.
There could be as many as five more engine variants in the pipeline and it's understood a low-CO2 diesel version of the new model is under consideration. If it gets the green light, it could arrive midway through the A6’s life and offer sub-120g/km and 60mpg-plus fuel consumption.
Prices will obviously be announced much closer to the on-sale date.
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Jim McGill