The Audi A6 Thread

TEST: Audi S6 TFSI Quattro and Mercedes-AMG GT53 4-Door Coupé 4Matic+

TEST SUMMARY

Trying to bake an equal measure of comfort and seat-of-the-pants driving excitement into a two-tonne sedan can be likened to furiously thrashing out a Metallica guitar riff on a Stradivarius: it can be done but the result will likely be less of a musical masterpiece and more of a mess of snapped strings and splintered woodwork. If there was ever a car to come incredibly close to pulling off this difficult feat, it’s the S6.

While the GT53 is marginally more engaging towards the edge of the driving envelope, it hardly eclipses the S6 and does so at the cost of the Audi’s element of everyday comfort and refinement that makes it such a deeply satisfying car to drive.

As we said at the beginning of this test, there are factors which preclude a direct comparison and some may argue that the GT53’s spiritual relationship to the AMG GT could account for its less civilised demeanour; but the S6’s ability to serve up nine-tenths of the GT53’s driving prowess, its superior build quality and a far more generous list of standard features at a price point that’s more palatable than the GT53’s R2-million only serve to cement its position as a brilliant all-rounder.


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ROAD TEST: Audi A6 40 TDI S tronic

TEST SUMMARY

Refreshed versions of the 5 Series and E-Class will soon make landfall, with the former set to reassume its role as the segment’s dynamic option and the latter as the luxurious choice. Where does that leave the latest A6?

Well, this entry-level derivative is defined by its mile-munching ability, combining remarkable range with a quiet, spacious and tech-filled cabin (plus potentially impressive comfort, should you resist the Sports package). There’s certainly more excitement higher in the line-up; however, the base A6 40 TDI is a refreshingly honest example of a large luxury sedan in an era of fire-breathing powerplants, coupé-like rooflines and hulking crossovers.


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Audi A6 50 TFSIe 2021 UK review

Should I buy one?

The technology in these latest plug-in hybrids is getting to the stage where, bar extra long distance journeys, they really do feel like a genuine alternative to diesel. The A6 is no different.

It’s smooth, plenty quick enough even in this ‘base’ 50 TFSIe spec and comes with all the usual Audi excellence in terms of styling and interior. There’s also something appealing about an A6 in the way that it’s always felt a bit rarer than a 5 Series or E-Class, be that imagined or reality.

But if how it handles matters more to you than what it says about you, then the others are better.


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Driven | Audi A6 40 TDI

Thanks to the kind folks at Audi South Africa we were handed the keys to the latest A6 for the festive season and boy are we glad they did.

Yes, this website focuses on high-performance and range-topping vehicles but it was so refreshing to hop into something as sensible as a diesel A6 to cruise some of South Africa’s finest roads.

The A6 exterior is an evolution of the previous model but the styling does look lower and more sporty and they have fully achieved the whole ‘baby A8’ look. The fresh styling is subtle but spend a bit more time with it and the subtleties emerge.

Inside, there’s lots of space, particularly in the boot, and for rear-seat passengers. This is not a surprise as it is a big saloon, so it should be spacious.

So then, what does 40 TDI mean? Under the hood you will find a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine under the crisply-styled bonnet, producing 140 kW (188 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. In this case, it’s bolted to Audi’s seven-speed, dual-clutch S tronic automatic gearbox which sends power to the front wheels only (the 45 TDI is Quattro which of course sends power to all four corners). What is new in this generation is the mild-hybrid (MHEV) system. This 4-cylinder A6 makes use of a 12V MHEV system which allows it to coast with the engine off (including highway speeds), the start/stop can kick in earlier and can also aid the engine to reduce turbo lag. Thanks to this new tech this is comfortably the most efficient car we have ever driven returning an average of 5.6 litres/100 km from Johannesburg to the Eastern Cape and just 5.9 on the way back.


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Audi A6 e-tron Concept

Audi A6 e-tron concept shows for the first time what a vehicle based on the PPE platform, reserved exclusively for e-automobiles, could look like: a 4.96-meter-long sportback, as elegant as it is dynamic, with a 100 kWh battery that will ensure a range of more than 700 kilometers (according to the WLTP standard). The future series version will be produced in Europe and China, and is intended for sales worldwide. The 800-volt technology on board enables extremely fast charging: it takes no more than 10 minutes to recharge enough energy for 300 km.


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Audi A6 E-tron Concept previews 2023 electric saloon

All-new battery-powered saloon heralds new era of mainstream electric Audis

The Audi A6 E-tron concept previews a new family of EVs that will be built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture the firm is co-developing with Porsche, and is set to go into production alongside the existing combustion-engined A6 in 2023.

Revealed alongside the Q4 E-tron at the Shanghai motor show, the A6 E-tron concept will be the second production car from Audi to use the PPE underpinnings. It will follow the Q6 E-tron SUV, which has not yet been officially shown but which will be revealed in the second half of next year.

Unlike the performance- oriented J1 underpinnings of the E-tron GT, the PPE architecture is designed for premium-focused SUVs and lower-slung models in the B, C and D segments. Porsche will first use the PPE for the all-electric version of the next-generation Macan, which launches next year as a sister car to the Q6 E-tron.

The A6 E-tron concept’s platform houses a 100kWh battery that gives a range of more than 435 miles. The PPE structure enables the battery pack to be spread out across the chassis for minimal incursion into the cabin. This flexibility allows the platform to be used for both high- riding and low-slung vehicles “without any changes to the basic architecture”, according to Audi. The wheelbase and battery size are scalable, while the wheels are pushed into the corners to maximise both front and rear leg room.

 
Audi A6 e-tron concept ushers in advanced new platform

As promised, Audi gave us a taste of the next chapter in its electric car strategy with a new concept car that made its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show on Monday. This is the Audi A6 e-tron.

The Audi A6 e-tron concept is expected to spawn a fully electric production car that will compete with the upcoming Mercedes EQE. And this is not just an A6 packed with batteries and fancy design features. The A6 e-tron concept is built around a brand new architecture called PPE, which is being developed in conjunction with Porsche. That’s a very curious name to use during the Covid-19 pandemic, but apparently PPE in this context stands for ‘Premium Platform Electric’.

The PPE architecture was designed for battery-powered vehicles only, and it will underpin a number of different vehicles in future. Because the wheelbase and battery sizes are scalable, it will be possible for it to underpin both low-slung sedans and high-riding SUVs without any changes to the basic architecture. All PPE vehicles will, however, feature a long wheelbase and short overhangs.

The Audi A6 e-tron has a similar footprint to the regular A6 sedan and features motors on the front and rear axles to allow for on-demand all-wheel drive as well as system outputs of 350 kW and 800 N.m of torque. According to Audi, the flagship models will be able to surge from 0-100 km/h in “well under” four seconds, and even the entry versions will do the deed in less than seven seconds.


 
Nearly new buying guide: Audi A6 Avant

Want practicality with a touch of class? We have a suggestion

The Audi A6 Avant is a capacious, good-looking, premium-badged estate car of enormous suavity and more than decent road manners.

Under its elegantly lengthy bonnet, you’ll find a wide range of engines, including a 201bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel (badged 40 TDI) and a 282bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel (50 TDI). Petrols are a 2.0-litre in either 201bhp 40 TFSI or more potent 261bhp 45 TFSI form and a 335bhp 3.0-litre (55 TFSI) for proper poke. There’s also a 344bhp diesel-powered S6 super-sporting version if you want to scare the dog silly.

Sport-spec A6 Avants come with most of the luxuries you are likely to want, including heated front seats, part-leather upholstery and 18in alloy wheels. Upgrading to S line trim brings 19in alloys, sportier looks and leather and Alcantara seats. Black Edition increases the wheel size to 20in and gets you plenty of black trim on the exterior, while Vorsprung models have the kitchen sink thrown at them in terms of kit, including 21in wheels, extra safety technology and an upgraded stereo.

On the road, the 40 TDI version is the more logical choice because it’s a good compromise between power and economy. The 50 TDI is a real flyer and, like the less powerful engine, remarkably quiet.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/...-guides/nearly-new-buying-guide-audi-a6-avant

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Audi A6 E-Tron and Q6 E-Tron crossover confirmed for production

The Audi A6 E-Tron has been confirmed for production in 2022 and will be followed-up by a Q6 E-Tron crossover the following year. Based on the PPE platform, this electrified sedan and SUV form part of the brand’s EV strategy that pledges 20 electric models in its line-up by 2025.

Speaking to Roadshow at a media event, Audi confirms that the production model of the Audi A6 E-Tron will closely resemble the concept that was revealed in August this year. Using the Premium Platform Electric architecture developed in conjunction with Porsche, this EV saloon will feature two electric motors with a combined power output of 350 kW and 800 N.m of torque, giving it a 0-100 km/h time of under four seconds.

Using a 100 kWh battery, the brand claims that the Audi A6 E-Tron will cover a range of 700 km between charges. The vehicle also boasts 800-volt charging technology, which allows its 100 kWh battery to be charged with up to 270 kW over a very short period at DC fast charging stations. For instance, owners will be able to charge it from five to 80 per cent in just 25 minutes, Audi claims, while a 10 minute charge should provide enough juice to cover 300 km.

These are just claims for the concept but the brand says that the production model will be largely unchanged from what was claimed in this preview.

 
Nearly new buying guide: Audi A6 saloon (2011-2018)

This desirable exec four-door looks quite a bargain. We show you which ones to go for

To paraphrase Henry Ford, you can have any Audi A6 saloon of 2011-18 you like, so long as it’s diesel. In fact, make that a 2.0-litre diesel, or 2.0 TDI as Audi has it. We exaggerate, of course, but only a little. The fact is that A6 2.0 TDIs outnumber any other A6 saloon variants of the same generation by a huge margin.

It’s not surprising, given the A6’s target market and the company car tax structure when it was new. Then there’s the engine itself, which bows only to the BMW 520d in terms of civility. The 2.0 TDI Ultra, launched in 2014, is extremely economical, too.

This emphasis on diesel could seem less of a draw for used car buyers, whose mileage might not appear to justify choosing an oil-burner and for whom benefit-in-kind tax savings are irrelevant. However, for these people, there are still good reasons to choose an A6 2.0 TDI or its siblings, the 3.0 TDI and high-performance 3.0 BiTDI. They include the sheer pleasure to be gained from driving such a comfortable, well-appointed and well-engineered car that is also economical and inexpensive to tax. Perhaps of greater appeal, though, is that most A6s are attractively priced, not least because buyers are favouring SUVs over executive saloons.


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Audi takes A4 Allroad and A6 Allroad off sale in UK

Off-road-ready estates are no longer available to order and future generations won't come here

Audi has ended UK sales of the rugged A4 Allroad and A6 Allroad estates and has no intention of importing any future generations.

The decision was taken due to the variants accounting for only a small proportion of sales for their respective model lines.

Audi sold 292 examples of the A4 Allroad in 2021, for example, compared with 446 of the significantly more potent and expensive RS4 Avant, accounting for just over a thirtieth of total A4 sales.

The larger A6 Allroad was an even slower seller, shifting just 256 units in the UK last year, less than half the number of RS6 Avants sold in the same period and just 4.4% of A6 sales.

Neither variant is now available to configure on Audi UK's website, and a spokesman confirmed to Autocar that the German brand has no plans to bring any future Allroad models here.

 
2023 Audi A6 facelift spotted during on-road tests

New rear bumper, sharper headlights and updated grille mark changes for German saloon

The new, facelifted Audi A6 has been spotted testing on public roads by our spy photographers.

The images show a saloon variant of the popular executive car sporting a black and white livery at the front and rear to obscure the model’s revised lines, with the mid-section of the car left uncovered.

The precise details of the model’s new look are not clearly visible, but the A6 will gain a subtle styling update over its predecessor. The front end features a newly designed, bulky front grille, sharp headlights and revised air intakes.

At the rear, the lower bumper now appears to be lower to the ground and the rear lights have been reshaped.

The current A6 has been on sale since 2018 in saloon and Avant estate bodystyles. Both of the prototypes photographed were saloon models.

Audi has not yet detailed powertrain information for the new A6, but it’s expected that the model will retain its range of petrol and diesel engines.


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