
Audi A6 world debut at North American International Auto Show in Detroit
The new Audi A6 Sedan: setting the standard in innovationAudi has redesigned its flagship executive class model. The new A6 is set to make its market debut in early 2011. With its light body, sporty chassis and a wide array of new assistance and multimedia systems, the full-sized sedan is packed with innovative solutions in every area of technology. The range of available engines and drivetrains is equally extensive. Combining the power of a V6 with the fuel efficiency of a four-cylinder engine, the soon-to-be-available A6 hybrid will be one highlight of the lineup.

Another refined Luxury sedan from Audi

Much of the body of the new Audi A6 consists of aluminum and high-tech steels, rendering it exceedingly light, stiff and safe. State-of-the art design methods and materials ensure extremely low interior noise levels. Precision tuning of all components and systematic hydraulic damping in the axle and drivetrain bearings provide excellent vibrational comfort.
The design of the new Audi A6 embodies athleticism and elegance. The sedan is 4.92 meters (16.14 ft) long and 1.87 meters (6.14 ft) wide, but just 1.46 meters (4.79 ft) high – sporty proportions that are unrivaled by the competition. The long engine hood, the low, sweeping roofline and the prominent lines on the flanks create a dynamic overall appearance. Optional LED headlights emphasize the striking expression at the front.
The roomy interior of the new Audi A6 echoes the sinewy style of the exterior. The salient element is the "wrap-around" – an inlay encircling the driver and the front-seat passenger. The elegantly curved dash panel places the driver at the center of the interior.
Nothing short of amazement: Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System
Every detail of the interior is a testament to the care that Audi invests in carmaking. All materials, including an innovative layered-wood veneer, have been selected and crafted with the utmost care. As an option, the front seats can be equipped with ventilation and massage functions. Classy ambient lighting in the lighting package provides small points of light throughout the interior.
The new Audi A6 features the logical ergonomics concept that distinguishes all of the brand's models. A highly efficient automatic air conditioning system and the latest-generation MMI radio operating system are standard; Audi also offers an optional head-up display, which projects important information onto the windshield. The MMI touch operating system is also available as an option. This enables much of the hard-drive MMI navigation plus system to be controlled by means of a touchpad.
The online services, developed though a partnership between Audi and service provider Google, connect the full-sized sedan to the Internet via the Bluetooth car phone online. A UMTS module pulls images and information from Google Earth up on the monitor and integrates them with the navigation route. A WLAN hotspot provides contact to mobile terminals on board. The top of the hi-fi line is the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System.
MMI navigation plus works closely together with the optional assistance and safety systems in the new A6. It forwards the route data to the control units for the headlights, the automatic transmission and the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function. This enables these systems to recognize complex scenarios and assist the driver. In many situations, the Audi pre sense safety system is able to reduce accidents and their consequences, or even prevent them altogether. The Audi active lane assist helps the driver keep the A6 on course, and the park assist system relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parallel parking.
Audi offers the A6 with a choice of five powerful, highly efficient engines: two gasoline engines and three TDI units. These powerplants develop between 130 kW (177 hp) and 220 kW (300 hp). All of these engines make use of important technologies from the brand's modular efficiency platform – the start-stop system, the energy recovery system, and the innovative thermal management concept.
Throughout the entire model line, fuel consumption in the A6 has decreased by up to 19 percent compared to the previous model. In terms of consumption figures, the A6 outperforms the competition.
The most powerful unit in the range is the 2.0 TDI. In conjunction with a manual transmission, it requires on average just 4.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (48.00 US mpg) and emits just 129 g CO2 per km (207.61 g/mile). The A6 hybrid will be available from Audi at a later date. Serving up 180 kW (245 hp) of system performance, its 2.0 TFSI plus electric motor will achieve efficient and sporty acceleration with an average fuel consumption of only 6.2 liters per 100 km (37.94 US mpg) (provisional figure).
As was the case with the previous model, the new Audi A6 is also available with a wide range of drivetrains. The choice, based on the engine version, will include a manual six-speed transmission, the continuously variable multitronic, and the brand-new, sporty S tronic. Each unit is precisely tuned and features a wide gear-ratio spread, thereby making a significant contribution to the sedan's efficiency.
Depending on the engine version, power is funneled via the gears to the front wheels or to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, whose crown-gear center differential and torque-vectoring function achieve the ultimate traction, stability and dynamic response. For the top-of-the-line engines, Audi will offer an optional sport differential.
The chassis of the new A6 combines sporty precision with supreme comfort. Its links are made of aluminum; the redesigned power steering features a highly efficient electromechanical drive. The executive sedan has wheels ranging from 16 to 20 inches in diameter.
The Audi drive select dynamic handling system is standard, and the front-wheel-drive models have the sporty ESP with electronic limited-slip differential on board. For enhanced comfort, adaptive air suspension with controlled damping is available as an option. Dynamic steering will be available soon, also as an option.
The most powerful gasoline engine in the A6 family is the 3.0 TFSI; its mechanical charger is situated in the 90-degree V formed by the cylinder banks. The V6 delivers 220 kW (300 hp) of power and 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque, the latter at 2,900 to 4,500 rpm. The A6 3.0 TFSI sprints from standing to backroad speed in 5.5 seconds and reaches an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). It consumes on average 8.2 liters per 100 km (26.68 US mpg) and emits 190 g CO2 per km (305.78 g/mile) – an advance of 13 percent over the previous model, which produced 213 kW (290 hp).
The most efficient engine in the new A6 is the redeveloped 2.0 TDI. This four-cylinder unit develops 130 kW (177 hp). Its 380 Nm (280.27 lb-ft) of torque stand at the ready between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. In conjunction with a manual transmission, it propels the Audi A6 from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 8.7 seconds, then on to a top speed of 228 km/h (141.67 mph). In the EU cycle, it requires just 4.9 liters per 100 km (48.00 US mpg) and emits only 129 g CO2 per km (207.61 g/mile). That is a 13 percent decrease in fuel consumption.
The newly developed 3.0 TDI is represented with two versions in the A6 family. Both stand out for their low weight, minimal internal friction, ultra high-precision tuning of the auxiliary units, and a highly sophisticated thermal management system that provides separate coolant circuits for the crankcase and cylinder heads.
In the first version, the V6 diesel generates 150 kW (204 hp) and applies 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft) of torque in the low range of 1,250 to 3,500 rpm. Paired with a multitronic transmission, it accelerates the A6 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.2 seconds and achieves a top speed of 240 km/h (149.13 mph). Its average consumption is a mere 5.2 liters per 100 km, a CO2 emissions level of 137 g per km (220.48 g/mile). Compared with the 140 kW (190 hp) predecessor, this represents an advance of 19 percent.
The top-of-the-line version of the 3.0 TDI delivers 180 kW (245 hp), providing 500 Nm (368.78 lb-ft) of torque between 1,400 and 3,250 revolutions. The standard sprint takes just 6.1 seconds, and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). On average, this top-performing diesel powerplant uses just 6.0 liters of fuel per 100 km (39.20 US mpg) and emits 158 g CO2 per km (254.28 g/mile). As such it outperforms the previous engine, which achieved
176 kW (240 hp), by 16 percent.