There are now plenty of reasons to pop some bubbly with Audi. Fresh metal has reinvigorated a now bustling model line-up and a range of new performance heroes has shone the spotlight on the “third” German luxury maker.
The mid-sized Audi A6 has been around for years but has done little to rile its rivals, the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class. But this new model comes armed with styling tweaks such as new mirrors, foglights and grille as well as fresh tail lights with futuristic LED globes arranged in a distinctive pattern.
WHAT YOU GET
Similar to the Benz and BMW competition, there’s an A6 for every well-heeled budget. The range kicks off with a pair of modestly appointed four-cylinders (starting at $74,500) and winds up with a Lamborghini-propelled performance hero called the RS6 at, gulp, $263,500.
HOW SAFE?
Airbags surround the occupants in the A6; included, of course, are the all important curtain airbags that can protect heads in a side impact. There’s also stability control and adjustable headrests in all five positions.
WHAT’S INSIDE?
The cabin is classic Audi in its presentation and functionality, a blend of modern appeal and functional usability. The MMI control system is as user-friendly as ever, presenting a selection of menu buttons and a central knob to manage everything from the sat-nav and vehicle settings to the above-average sound system.
UNDER THE BONNET
Following a familiar theme, the 2.8-litre V6 in the A6 was tweaked to produce more power and slurp less fuel. The engine now generates 162kW, raising the total by 8kW. That peak arrives over 5700rpm and is held almost all the way to the engine’s natural cut-out at 7000rpm.
ON THE ROAD
Entry-level A6s make do with front-wheel-drive. V6 versions, though, get Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, which apportions drive to the wheels with grip, helping reduce wheelspin and maximise traction. Only accelerating hard through a wet corner will generate momentary wheel slip before the electronics rush in to ably sort things out.
VERDICT
The A6 is competent and easy to live with but it’s not about to rewrite the mid-sized luxury sedan rule books. There’s Teutonic efficiency to the way it goes about business but that in some ways detracts from the character that can inject appeal to a car that is, ultimately, designed to be more than just transport. 3.5/5
PRICE From $92,000
ENGINE 2.8-litre V6; 162kW/280Nm; six-speed auto; 9.0L/100km; 215g CO2/km; AWD.
SAFETY Five-star NCAP, stability control, front, side and curtain airbags.
WHAT IT HAS Leather seats and steering wheel, climate control air-conditioning, satellite navigation with storage hard-disk, xenon headlights with daytime running lights, 18-inch alloys, full-sized alloyspare.
FOR Efficient and willing V6. Competent road manners with surety of quattro all-wheel-drive. Classyinterior.
AGAINST Lots of options, some of which should be standard. Light steering. Quattro system can vibrate at low speeds.
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