The 2012 Audi A6 continues on with its classic style, which received careful tailoring for 2012. The lines are as attractive as ever — the look clearly that of the mid-level Audi sedan — and crisper than the previous generation. The new 2012 A6 is longer, wider, and taller, on a nearly 3-inch-longer wheelbase.
A major change for 2012 is that the regular A6 is not available with a V-8. If you want that engine, you’ll have to wait for the S6. In the meantime, engine options are the 211-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four, or the 310-hp, 325-lb-ft supercharged direct-injection V-6 that powered our test car. With the new Audi’s weight reduction — courtesy of more aluminum in the body — the addition of 10 hp and 15 lb-ft to the 3.0T, and the change from a six- to an eight-speed automatic, the V-8 option wasn’t missed all that much.
Editors praised the engine’s linear (and substantial) power, and noted that the A6 also felt light and nimble. Some viewed its handling as better than its A7 sibling, and said the chassis was well-balanced. According to industry sources, there were cost-cutting measures within the cabin, but between the excellent materials and beautiful design, it was hard to pinpoint exactly where the price savings took place. The interior also earned praise for its roomy seats, excellent stereo system, and cool features like the Google Maps-based nav and onboard WiFi system.
While there was a lot to like about the sedan, it didn’t excel everywhere. The interior was pleasantly quiet, but that meant drivers heard wind noise and mechanical noise from the engine bay. Some judges felt the steering was nicely low-effort in parking lots, but too light at speed. The styling doesn’t raise the bar.
