Audi's new A6 saloon shines with sleek design and tech upgrades
While Audi recently unveiled the new A6 Avant, the Germans made us wait a bit longer for the elegant saloon version. Patience has been rewarded, however, as the car appears remarkably attractive, maintaining a subdued elegance in the face of eccentric rivals. It's hard not to associate it with the higher-positioned A8.
The Audi A6 is set to make a full offensive. After the Avant's premiere, it's now the saloon's turn. I had the opportunity to see the car in person during the initial drives of the family edition of the A6, and I must admit that the new model makes a great impression in the flesh. The car's appearance will certainly be appreciated by those who shy away from flashy or sometimes bizarre stylistic solutions. For some, it may be equally important that the petrol A6 clearly differentiates itself in appearance from the electric variant.
The new Audi A6 saloon appears much more streamlined and lighter compared to its predecessor, although dimensionally it is larger – 60 mm longer and with a wheelbase extended by 3 mm. The rear, in particular, has gained a clear lightness thanks to several modifications and finally features genuine, unmasked exhaust tips. The car's side line, especially from the B-pillar, resembles the current generation of the A8.
Audi emphasizes that in this generation, the designers collaborated with aerodynamics experts from a very early stage of development. As a result, they achieved a record-breaking drag coefficient for Audi road models of 0.23. Important features include active air curtains hidden in the front bumper and the sealing of gaps between the bumper and the grille.
Higher class inside as well
The improvement in passenger travel conditions is evidenced by the significant enhancement in interior soundproofing. Audi took the matter seriously, enhancing the seals around the windows and doors. If you choose at least 19-inch wheels, you will receive tyres lined internally with special foam rings that absorb vibrations.
Even elements such as engine and gearbox mountings or the shape of gear teeth have been optimised for quieter operation. The result is a 30% improvement in cabin soundproofing, while maintaining the same weight of soundproofing materials.
It's unfortunate that equal attention wasn't paid to the cockpit itself. Audi has opted to carry over the interior already familiar from models like the Q6 and A5, which means an overwhelming presence of cheap-looking and perpetually smudged piano black surfaces and poor ergonomics of function controls. Added to that are three screens – 11.9-inch digital dials, a 14.5-inch multimedia screen, and a 10.9-inch display for the passenger.
Fortunately, when it comes to passenger comfort, Audi leaves little room for complaints. From driving the A6 Avant, I know the seats are very comfortable, and there is ample space in the rear, including headroom, allowing even tall individuals to travel comfortably. Unfortunately, despite the larger external dimensions, the boot capacity has decreased. Instead of 530 litres, it now measures 492 litres, which, compared to rivals, is not commendable.
Diesel? Large engine? Here you go
In technical terms, the saloon can expect the same innovations that appeared in the Avant. This means improved and more direct handling, excellent optional air suspension, optional rear-wheel steering (which reduces the turning circle to 11.3 metres), and brake-by-wire technology.
Initially, the same units as in the Avant will be available under the bonnet. The range starts with a 2-litre petrol engine with 204 HP. An alternative is a diesel of the same power and displacement, but with the option of quattro drive. For now, the range is topped by a 3-litre V6 petrol engine with 367 HP. This means that from the German "triumvirate", only BMW has ironically abandoned the six-cylinder engine in the 5 Series without significant electrification (the inline-six is only available as a PHEV).
In Audi's case, electrification has also taken place, but in a very "light" manner. The second and third engines mentioned are equipped with an MHEV plus system – a mild hybrid that effectively operates like a conventional hybrid. The transmission houses a 24 HP electric motor (with a peak torque of 230 Nm), capable of exclusively powering the vehicle, drawing energy from a battery with a capacity of 1.7 kWh.
