Audi revealed the eighth generation A6 range on 31 st January 2020 bringing numerous innovations and upgrades to the luxury class segment. The new Audi A6 is far more versatile that before and has made many gains to its comfort, sportiness, digitalization, technical, and design.
Let’s start with the enhanced interior digitalisation…..
The new smartphone like display and MMi touch operating system provides the Audi A6 with the most modern operating concept in its class. Adapted from the A7 sportback and Q8, the two large displays replace most of the buttons and controls from before. A high degree of personalization is achieved from the digital operating system which allows user functions very similar to the experience from smartphone apps. For example, the user can create up to 27 short cuts for key functions such as phone numbers, radio stations, and navigation destinations. As soon as the user’s finger triggers a function on the touch-sensitive display the user will hear and feel a click as confirmation of the instruction. The driver will manage the Infotainment on the top 10.1 inch display and from the bottom 8,6 inch screen positioned in the centre tunnel console used for climate control, vehicle functions, and text input. With this new set up the drivers wrist can sit comfortably on
the selector lever of the transmission. As a standard feature in the new Audi A6 range MMi navigation also includes the Audi virtual cockpit whose high resolution display measures 12.3 inches. The navigation system has a self – learning function based on the driver’s routes. It also has an option where a head up display projects information into the driver’s field of view on the windscreen. Along with the MMi touch screen the A6 offers on line voice control enabling the driver to activate functions using speech commands, such as the air conditioning control or the Bang and Olufsen sound system which delivers 750 watts of output through 16 speakers.
Safety and comfort through driver assistance systems…….
The A6 sets new standards in its class for advanced driver’s assistance. This includes adaptive cruise assist, predictive efficiency assist which supports the driver when manoeuvring the vehicle in a turn or swerve. Night vision is the third driver assist which uses an infra-red camera and reacts to heat given off by objects which are converted to black and white images and can be viewed on the virtual cockpit.
This safety feature projects cooler surroundings appearing dark while animals and people appear intensely bright. Lastly, emergency assist enhances safety by bringing the vehicle to a stop in an emergency.
Electrification…….
Only available in the S6, a 48v mild hybrid system is fitted in combination with the 6 cylinder engine. This enables the S6 to coast between 55 and 160 km/h and the start stop technology kicks in from 22 km/h. resulting in reduced fuel consumption.
Business class leg room……….
The new A6 business class sedan pampers both driver and passengers alike. The interior is even larger than generation seven and the new A6 beats its core competitors. New convenience features include.
- Leather/Leatherette upholstery with electric seats and memory
- S6 contains sports seats as standard
- S6 has a panoramic sunroof as standard
- 530 litres luggage compartment
- S6 electronically closed trunk lid as standard
The body structure is designed with a mixed steel and aluminium structure making the body extremely rigid and contributes to low noise levels. Enhanced suspension, manoeuvrability and agility…..
New and different suspension components along with newly developed axles and dynamic all wheel steering all contribute to handling and manoeuvrability much improved over its predecessor. With this set up the A6 handles more compactly than a mid-sized model and achieves greater manoeuvrability than any other model in this segment not withstanding its exterior length of almost five meters. In the front axle steering, a strain wave gearing operates. At the rear axle a spindle drive turns the wheels up to 5 degrees – Unrivalled in this segment. Increased stability is achieved when travelling in a straight line or changing lanes. This is improved comfort by passengers when steering movements are performed.
Despite the larger wheels than its predecessor (up to 21 inches with 255/35 size tyres) the noise and ride comfort is top class. The front axles are fitted with brakes with fixed calliper’s made from aluminium.
Powertrain…..
The new A6 will be available with three engines locally.
- (Audi A6 40 TDi) A 2.0 TDi with 140 kw and 400 nm
- (Audi A6 45 TDi) A 3.0 TDi with 183 kw and 600 nm
- (Audi S6 TFSI) A 2.9 TFSI with 331 kw and 600 nm
All variants are fitted standard with automatic transmission. The V6 diesel engines are paired with an eight-speed triptronic and the v40 TDi is coupled with a seven-speed S tronic. The 45 and S6 are equipped with the Quattro all-wheel drive Technical and elegant exterior design… Sporty elegant, high tech, and sophistication are the words used to describe the all-new A6. The dimensions have grown over the seventh generation by 7 millimetres long, 12 millimetres wide, and 2 millimetre high. Flat headlights and powerfully contoured air inlets dominate sportiness at the front. Wide wheel arches and taut roofline flows into the steeply raked C-pillars. A chrome strip accentuates the rear and provides a link between the lights. 14 paint colours are on offer. The A6 projects class and the business class sedan conveys its proud character. I terms of wheel offerings the A6 40 and 45 have a standard 18” with an option to upgrade to 21”. The S6 comes standard with 21” and an option to upgrade to 21’ in a choice of two-wheel designs.
Lighting design technology….
Headlights are available in three versions.
- LED lights and rear lights standard on the A6 40 TDi
- Matrix LED headlights and dynamic indicators standard on A6 45 TDi
- HD Matrix LED technology with high-resolution standard on S6
On all offerings, there are five horizontal lines which draw the day time running lights Clean interior design…..
The sleek instrument panel projects a futuristic design and advanced technology. The centre console and the two MMI touch response displays are angled slightly towards the driver. All elements from the open-pore wood trim to the upholstery attest to the uncompromising high Audi quality. Pricing and availability……
- Audi A6 40 TDi Stronic R885,000
- Audi A6 45 TDi Quattro triptronic R1059,000
- Audi S6 TFSI Quattro triptronic R1349,500
Standard five year/100,000km Audi freeway plan inclusive of all taxes. Audi A6 40 and S6 TFSI currently available at all dealers in South Africa. A6 45 will be introduced into market by midyear. RS6 Avant to be introduced in the second half of 2020.
