Audi is a company which often baffles me. Typically, each model update brings a noticeable increase in vehicle size, at least with regards to the A4, so I’d kind of expected the same to happen with the arrival of the new A6.
After all, most car companies are steadily increasing the size of their models; big is still thought of as beautiful in North America, and an increase in size is often perceived as offering more value for money. But why would anyone cough up their hard-earned cash for the A6 when the current A4 is fairly close in dimensions?
Well, just when I thought I had it all figured out and the new A6 was going to be bigger and better as they say, Audi goes and throws a curveball at me again, because the latest version is no larger than the vehicle it’s replacing. In fact, it’s both slightly shorter in length and height than its predecessor. It’s also considerably lighter, due to an increase in the use of aluminum.
Now that sounds all well and good when it comes to performance & handling, but surely my viewpoint on vehicle sizing still holds true. How does one justify the additional price of the A6 when the A4 already offers such amazing value for money in a vehicle somewhat similar in size?
Well, it appears Audi is one step ahead of me on that, because it’s simply made its new A6 so downright spectacular that it shines like a beacon in the Audi line-up!
The exterior of the new A6 features a much more refined and, dare I say, upmarket look to it. In fact, from a distance, one could be forgiven for mistaking this for the company’s flagship A8.
The now famous and much-loved LED running lights are complimented by LED units to the rear, yet tick the right option box and you can now add some superb LED headlights to the mix. These are wonderful for any number of reasons and once you’ve experienced them it’s hard to readjust to driving without them.
Tick the “Prestige Package” and you’ll enjoy navigation, front and rear parking sensors, a proximity key and a 7” colour driver information system. Add to that, the new Bang & Olufsen sound system and music lovers will delight in sound quality comparable to that of a top-of-the-range home theatre system. They’ll also be pleasantly entertained by the electrically-operated pop-up tweeters which somehow magically appear from the top corners of the dashboard each time the system is activated.
Also available on the new A6 is adaptive cruise control and a night vision camera. In fact, the list of features available to the 2012 Audi A6 goes on and on, and without turning this into a 2,000-word story, I simply can’t cover them all, so perhaps it’s best if I sum it up like this: if you’ve ever wished for a scaled-down Audi A8, then your wish has been granted!
The same could be said for the driving experience in the new A6. The supercharged 3.0-litre TFSI V6, which develops 310 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft of torque, offers all the performance anyone should require from a vehicle like this, and with such a luxurious and well-appointed interior, sedate cruise-style driving is almost encouraged. However, as with all Audis, should the occasion call for a sprightlier manoeuvre, the new A6 is simply coiled up and waiting to deliver.
The power comes on smooth, while the quattro AWD system does precisely what it’s renowned for, and that’s hold the vehicle to the road surface like glue. In fact, as Audi has lengthened the vehicle’s wheelbase by approximately 7 cm, I’d say that the handling has improved upon what was already an exceptionally well-handling automobile.
Perhaps my only criticism, and maybe that’s not even the right word, is the new electronically-assisted steering. Now I know that most manufacturers are going this route today and in many ways, this adds to the luxurious feel of the vehicle, but I can’t help thinking that the car has lost some of its driver connectivity.
Of course, as the old saying goes, you have to pay if you want to play, and you may be surprised at the pricing of the new A6, especially at some of the package costs. The base 3.0 TFSI starts at $58,800. If you get a tad carried away ticking the option boxes, you could be talking some pretty serious money! It’s rather a case of “it is available Sir, if you wish to pay for it”.
In summing up, I feel that the company has succeeded in taking the A6 to an entirely new level, or perhaps that should be levels. With the wide selection of feature packages, the A6 is no longer simply a rung on the executive car ladder. It is now a viable alternative for those seeking total bells & whistle luxury, but in a slightly smaller package.
At a time when many are looking to downsize, this vehicle offers everything from a step onto the exec ladder, right up to the chairman’s spot on the top rung. Yes, you may be called upon to pay for each step you wish to take, but you’ll no longer have to change models to reach the top!
By Kevin ''Crash'' Corrigan / Photo: Michel Deslauriers
Auto123
