OVERVIEW
Audi’s success and sales volume in India are reflective of its tremendous consumer centricity, strong product line and visonary implementation of its goals of the flamboyant Mr. Michael Perschke, Head of Audi India.However, Audi is not the kind of entity to get complacent with their hard earned success. The company has brought in the special edition A6 to take forward their lead and build upon its volume of 6000 A6 cars sold in IndiaThe Audi A6 maintains the title of the most awarded business luxury limousine in addition to winning Asian Car of the Year and World Car of the Year. The Audi A6 is packed with features like Adaptive Air Suspension with Audi Drive Select, 4 Zone Deluxe Air Conditioning, Bose Surround System and many other self spoiling features.
EXTERIORS AND DESIGN
The new A6 looks every inch an Audi, with many design cues similar to other vehicles from the German car maker’s stable. While the latest generation model is all new, it does have quite a few design cues from the old model, making the A6 unmistakably an A6. While the Audi A6 is quite long at 4.92-metres, it’s shorter than its predecessor and lower too. However, Audi has increased the wheelbase and the width of the A6, which gives it a very sporty appearance. The most striking aspects of the Audi A6 are the long engine hood, short overhangs and sweeping roof.
By far the most interesting part of the exteriors are the new headlights, which features an intricate design and extend towards the fenders. The day time running lights consist of a multitude of LEDs (60 to be precise). These headlights are not only attractive but sets the Audi’s apart from the rest. Aided by Xenon Plus and Adaptive Lightning, not only does the A6 offer splendid vision in the night but it also consumes very little power (just 40 watts per unit). The daytime running lights also double up as turn indicators and fog lights are in built in the headlight rather than being placed on the bumper.
The single frame grille is finished in high gloss black color and merges neatly at the front. The Audi A6 has well designed soft and hard lines dominating the side view, which reveals the generous dimensions of this vehicle. The windows are surrounded by high gloss package along with anodized aluminum chrome detailing which further accentuate the visuals of the car. The 10-spoke 17-inch cast aluminum wheels look very good and the side profile merges well with the rear part of the car, where the heavy influence from the A8 is immediately apparent. There is an integrated boot spoiler and the bumper is quite low with an exhaust pipe on each end. The trapezoidal tail lights are all LED units and look the part.
INTERIORS AND COMFORT
If you have been spending generous time in meetings, playing the hard and busy boss and playing golf is how you relax, the Audi A6 will be an equally comforting extension with its supreme interiors. The interiors seem crafted painstakingly precise and screams of the brand philosophy.The interiors are designed in the most comforting and soothing way possible. The beige seats to begin with wrap around the passengers very delicately. The supports hugging the passengers are very firm. The front row seats can be electrically adjusted and the auto memory can save upto two positions. The co-passenger seat can be electrically pushed forward with the help of a button mounted on the following rear door trim. The Valcona leather surely leaves a positive feeling.
Since this is a long limousine, the legroom is grand for the rear passengers. The interiors are designed in such a way that the rear passengers have their own individual zone in the second half of the vehicle. The rear headroom is decent. Audi claims the A6 makes you feel at home. Apart from the fact that such cars are as expensive as real houses, the company claims the comfort is way too luring.It has unique four zone deluxe air conditioner. Inside the A6, there is a sun sensor which gauges the intensity and position of Sun and accordingly adjusts the cabin temperature. Rear passengers get pillar mounted AC vents which are indeed effective.
The instrumental panel has been designed in a crisp way with sporty dials. It displays host of information like distance to empty, fuel consumption, cruise control etc etc. The different options on the instrumental panel are very easily accessible and can be controlled with the help of steering mounted controls too.On the central panel occupies the most important, MMI Touch which is a new way to control the Multimedia interface. The MMI can also be operated with a remote by rear passengers. If the interiors and fabrics were too luring, perhaps the 14-speaker Bose Surround System can be a real kicker pushing the mood into something heavenly. It also comes with an optional 6 CD/DVD changer. The information on 7inch color display is very lucid.
The Audi A6 has the elegantly draped interiors. It has a very roomy cabin and is synonymous to premium and uber luxurious feel. With so many features and comfort options, there are no options left but to willingly surrender.
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
Audi A6 sedan comes with four engine options for Indian consumers. At the heart of the 2.8 FSI variant of the car lies a powerful petrol engine, which delivers a power of 204 PS @ 5500 rpm and a torque of 280 Nm @ 3000 rpm. The car’s top speed is 243 km/h and it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. The second variant of A6 is 2.7 TDI, which is equipped with a diesel engine that churns out 180 PS @ 3300 rpm of power and a torque of 380 Nm @ 1400 rpm. With a top speed of 230 km/h, the car accelerates from rest to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds. The 3.0 TDI Quattro model of Audi A6 is propelled by a diesel engine, which generates a power of 233 PS @ 4000 rpm, with a peak torque of 450 Nm @ 3250 rpm. Its top speed is 247 km/h and it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. The fourth variant offered to the Indian consumers is yet another diesel model – 3.2 FSI Quattro – that churns out 256 PS power at 6500 rpm and a maximum torque of 330 Nm at 3250 rpm. It promises to deliver a top speed of 250 km/h and provides an acceleration of zero to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.
RIDE AND HANDLING
The A6 Matrix comes with three drive modes: Comfort, Dynamic & Automatic. Best used when commuting within the city, the A6 in Comfort mode feels pliant enough, at low speeds. But there’s this ‘floating’ feel to the ride and though the car soaks up bumps adequately, you do feel the need for a slightly more ‘taut’ and sporty ride. The ‘Dynamic’ mode provides just that, as the steering loses its vagueness and becomes a bit weightier in the hand. While the comfort mode is good and the Dynamic mode improves things a bit, you do find yourself wishing for an easier option, and that’s exactly what Audi have provided with the ‘Auto Mode’. Here, the computer wizardry gets into the action and varies the ride, handling and steering feel between the two modes, as per the changing road conditions.
SAFETY
Standard safety equipment on the 2017 Audi A6 includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, front knee airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Rear side airbags, rearview and top-view cameras, front and rear parking sensors, lane keeping assist, a blind-spot warning system and a night-vision camera system are optional.
The standard Audi Pre Sense system can sense when a collision is imminent and warn the driver, tension the seatbelts and close the windows, while Pre Sense Rear flashes the brake lights as a warning to rearward traffic. The optional Pre Sense Plus system (available via the Driver Assistance package) will also fully tighten the seatbelts and automatically apply the brakes full force to avoid a forward collision or mitigate crash damage if one is unavoidable.
CONCLUSSION
It is very hard to go wrong with the Audi A6. With all its additional gadgetry, it is genuinely a good luxury car especially if you are going to be chauffeured around in one. Is it a good driver’s car? Not really. What it is though is a good package for the affluent Indian customer who wants one part style, one part flashiness, one part badge and one part luxury all embodies in a sensible package. Yes, the interior could have certainly been a lot more dramatic and the drive experience a bit more engaging, but again, as a whole, the new Audi A6 isnt poorly placed at all. So how does it compare to the Jaguar XF, BMW 5 Series and of course, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class? Well, stay tuned to zigwheels.com for that answer soon.