2012 Audi A6: A sign of the times!
For the past two years, Audi has been floating on a cloud as its products are scooped up quickly, without any real incentives required. Sales in Canada are up by 27% over last year, and the number of models offered just keeps on climbing. You could say that Audi has really matured in recent years. While the Audi A7, arch-rival of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, will roll into showrooms soon, this fall we can expect the all-new, entirely revamped A6.
The A6 sends some stiff competition into the full-size luxury sedan segment. Its main competitors are the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series, two exceptional vehicles. The short list also includes some Japanese models, but they’re not medal contenders. This will be the seventh generation of the A6; the previous generation was introduced in 2004, while the first generation dates back to 1968.
The cylinder count is down for good
Times, they are a-changing, and the A6’s engines are the proof. You can forget loads of cylinders – today it’s lightness, reduced emissions and fuel economy that are important. The 2012 A6 will eventually be available with several drivetrain options in Canada, but just one engine will be available this fall. Audi has opted for the 3.0-litre V6 TFSI with direct injection, the same engine that equips the S4and it was also available on the previous A6. With 300 horses brought to you by the magic of turbo, this engine is both well-adapted and plenty powerful. Married to an automatic eight-speed transmission, it saves an appreciable amount of gas while delivering outstanding performances. Another trend playing out among luxury vehicles is all-wheel drive. Audi firmly believes in this, and all A6s will come factory-standard with quattro AWD. So, you can forget the FWD versions.
Diesel lovers take note
Later in 2012, two new engines will be added to the list. There will be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, which you can also find aboard the Audi A4. But the real attention-grabber is the 3.0-litre diesel V6 TDI. This should appeal to a lot of people, especially when you consider increasing gas prices. With 245 hp at 1,400 rpm, this engine can perform as well as the 3.0-litre gas engine, but with a much improved fuel consumption rate (compare 6.0 litres/100km versus 8.2 litres/100 km). It comes complete with an automatic stop-start function that cuts the engine when the vehicle is not in motion and several other features that work together to reduce its fuel intake.
At a later date, a hybrid version will be released. It will be Audi’s second, as the Q5 will soon become Audi’s first. Of course, the popularity of Q5 Hybrid will be under careful watch before the A6 Hybrid is confirmed. Finally, the S6 will come out for sports nuts, though its arrival has yet to be made official. For those who prefer wagons, get out your hankies. The A6 Avant won’t be coming to North America, as SUVs are more popular here.
But is she pretty?
It’s all very nice to go on about a vehicle’s history and engines, but when it comes to the new A6, it’s all about style and overall vibe. So, just what is the new A6 like? Oh, it’s sweet. They kept the best features from the previous generation and added a modern touch. The front grille is similar to the old one, but the LED headlamps are new. The S-Line version is a little more dynamic with added style elements, but what you’ll really notice are its two-tone wheels. In terms of size, the new A6 is slightly shorter and a few millimetres lower, while its wheelbase has gained nearly seven centimetres.
We hardly ever have anything negative to say about Audi interiors. And once again, the A6 lives up to expectations. The materials radiate beauty and everything is very carefully assembled. The rest is very similar to the current A6, especially the controls on the central console. Meanwhile, the instrumentation has been entirely updated and the "wrap-around" effect of the dashboard, a la A7, has been accentuated. We liked the multi-function screen that comes out of the dash and retracts automatically, lending a sleek look to the dashboard.
On the road
A good driving position is easy to find thanks to the numerous seat adjustments and telescopic steering column. I also liked the sizeable footrest, as it helps anchor you in place, and the grip of the steering wheel that makes you feel like you’re really in control. You’ve got to admit that the Germans are hard to beat in this regard. The first impression you get from behind the wheel of the new A6 is how light it is. I have always preferred driving an A4 to an A6, but that feeling is much less pronounced with this new generation. The suspension strikes a good compromise between comfort and road handling, though I’ll have to verify this again on local potholed highways once winter is over. A lot of automakers have gone the route of electromechanical steering, and that is certainly the case on the new A6. However, Audi engineers were able to calibrate it just right so that you still feel in control. You never get the impression that the steering is disconnected or over-assisted.
It goes without saying that the A6 comes equipped with a ton of technology and safety systems. The vehicle can park itself, warn the driver of obstacles and even brake on its own. It will make sure it stays in its own lane and, should it deviate, it will gently bring itself back in line. Plus, the headlamps can adjust their brightness depending on road conditions and whether or not there are other vehicles around. Basically, it makes up for any of the driver’s shortcomings. My only fear: how will these accessories fare over time, especially once the warranty has expired?
For the rest, the 2012 Audi A6 picks up where it left off. The most innovative changes are in the engines options, which reflect the latest trends. Ten years ago no one would have imagined a luxury vehicle with a four-cylinder engine!