Audi has unveiled its latest engineering feat in the form of the all new Audi A6 which in all respect will replace the current model globally sometime in the April this year. The launch in the Indian market will follow suit. Audi has claimed that the current A6 is the most successful executive salon in the world since it has sold more number of units than the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes E-class globally. The marvelous feat was possible only what an economist will call as the Economy of Scales. It surpassed both the luxurious competitors due to its sheer success in the Chinese market with the locally assembled long-wheelbase A6.
The fourth generation A6 that you see in the pictures is slightly lower than the outgoing model due to the swooping roofline at the rear. It has been redesigned from the ground up. The interior space is marginally more as the new model is 1.5 inches wider, courtesy of Audis modular longitudinal platform (MLP). The front overhang is a bit shorter than the standard, and has a larger overall wheelbase. This leads to more legroom and shoulder room throughout the cabin, which overall results in better weight-distribution.
The new Audi A6 due to extensive and strategic use of aluminum is 80kgs lighter than the previous models. Aluminum is generously used in the superstructure as also in body panels like doors, boot lid, bonnets, wings and bumpers. The cars weight therefore is less by 15 percentage than it would have been if it has been constructed from mild steel exclusively. There will be four engines on offer at the launch: three diesels- a 175bhp, 2.0-litreTDI, a 242bhp 3.0-litre TDI and a 202bhp 3.0-litreTDI, and one petrol- 298bhp 3.0-litre TFSI with an additional five more in the pipeline which will be rolled out in a phased manner on a later date. Audi doesnt have a small capacity diesel engine in its current basket for people who want luxury and space along with a frugal diesel engine humming under the hood.
The 2.0-litre diesel will be an important variant to watch out for in the new A6 range in India considering the launch of Mercedes E250 CDI and BMWs 520d. As divulged earlier the new A6 will come equipped with Audis modular efficiency platform which includes thermal management concept, start-stop system and energy recovery system. Audi has laid claim that these technology will increase the efficiency of the current car by 19 percentage. Audi is also on it way to the launch a petrol-electric variant in addition to its petrol variants using a power train from the Q5 hybrid, a year later. It will be a combination of a electric motor producing a total of 242bhp with a 2.0litre TFSI petrol engine.
The interiors of the Audi A6 has a wrap-around dash panel with a yacht-like wood trim similar to the A7 sport back, a typical Audi personified. The GPS i.e. the satellite navigation system can combine with the search giants Google earth website that can be downloaded en route. The new Audi A6 comes with various list of options to choose from including an 8-inch touch screen , which is an upgrade that is available over the 6.5 inch display. With the new five-mode Audi drive select system on the new Audi the driver can tailor the power steering assistance, drive terrain settings and throttle response setting to suit ones taste. As regards the pricing of the Audi A6 it is expected to start from approximately Rs 41 lakhs for the 2.0-litreTDI, going as far as 58 lakhs for the top-notch 3.0-litre TFSI Quattro S line.
