The New Audi A6

Audi A6

The new generation of Audi steering wheels is also making its production debut in the new A6. The most outstanding visible symbol of both the three- and four-spoke steering wheels is the single-frame trapezoid centrepiece with the four Audi rings on the central airbag cap. And the oval exterior geometry also serves to vary the single-frame design.

Very neat and tidy in its look, the centre console has obviously also been inspired by the interior design of the new A8. As in Audi's luxury sports saloon, the interior designers and engineers have also opted for an electromechanical parking brake on the new A6, giving the designers greater freedom in their creativity: with the new Audi A6 not requiring a handbrake lever, the design of both the console and the armrest is particularly generous and ergonomic.

The MMI control terminal is right behind the gearshift lever, again in perfect ergonomic arrangement: this places its display exactly in the driver's line of vision, integrated beneath the top dashboard cover.

All the car's occupants benefit from a far higher standard of comfort and spaciousness inside: The wheelbase of the new Audi A6 is up by 83 millimetres over the car's predecessor to 2843 millimetres. This means extra comfort and safety as well as additional legroom for the front passengers, plus extra knee room at the rear. Shoulder room at the front is up by 23 millimetres, with an extra 6 millimetres at the rear. The luggage capacity on both front-wheel-drive and quattro models is 546 litres.

Drivetrain

The new Audi A6 is entering the market initially with a total of five power units fitted in longitudinal arrangement – three petrol and two TDI engines. All these engines share a level of power and torque that is outstanding in this segment of the market:

• new: 4.2 V8 - 246 kW (335 bhp) - 420 Newton-metres
• new: 3.2 V6 FSI - 188 kW (255 bhp) - 330 Newton-metres
• new: 2.4 V6 - 130 kW (177 bhp) - 230 Newton-metres
• new: 3.0 TDI V6 - 165 kW (225 bhp) - 450 Newton-metres
• new: 2.0 TDI - 103 kW (140 bhp) - 320 Newton-metres

The six- and eight-cylinder engines come from Audi's new V-configuration engine family with a 90° cylinder angle and a distance of 90 millimetres (3.54") between the cylinders. They are compact in design and feature maintenance-free camshaft drive by means of a chain, as well as low-friction roller arm valve drive.