The sixth-generation Audi A6 sedan has been unveiled, trailing its Avant wagon sibling by a month-and-a-half.
With a co-efficient of drag of just 0.23, the new A6 sedan is said to be the most aerodynamically efficient petrol- or diesel-powered Audi to date.
These new sedan and wagon A6 models are powered by turbocharged petrol or diesel engines, and shouldn’t be confused with the A6 e-tron range, which is all electric and largely unrelated.
Audi initially planned to bestow the A7 on badge the new petrol/diesel A6 range, but has since walked back the plan to give petrol/diesel models odd-numbered names and electric models even-numbered ones.
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Both the new A6, and the smaller A5, ride on the Volkswagen Group’s Platform Premium Combustion (PPC) for vehicles with a longitudinally mounted engine driving either the front or all four wheels.
PPC is an update of the MLB architecture. In addition to the the automaker’s latest software package, it also supports a more advanced mild hybrid setup, known as “MHEV plus technology” in Audi-speak.
MHEV plus features a 48V electrical system, a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a belt alternator starter to wake the engine, and a 18kW/230Nm powertrain generator that can drive the car at low speeds and provides a bit of extra oomph when needed.
In addition to this, the new system supports regenerative braking up to 25kW, and has an electrically driven air-conditioning compressor, allowing the cool air to keep flowing when the engine is switched off at the lights or under light driving loads.
There will be three drivetrains at launch, and only the entry-level 150kW/340Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine does without the MHEV plus system.
Both the 150kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder aimed at Europe, and the 270kW/550Nm 3.0-litre turbo V6 petrol targetted at the US are fitted with the MHEV plus setup.
Quattro all-wheel drive, which can direct up to 70 per cent of the power to the rear wheels, is optional in the turbo-diesel, and standard in the turbo V6, helping the six-cylinder scoot from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds. Quattro buyers can also opt for four-wheel steering.
Intriguingly, the V6’s claimed fuel combined consumption of between 6.7 and 7.7L/100km is better than the base four-cylinder petrol’s 6.9 to 7.8L/100km.
Riding on wheels up to 21 inches in diameter, the A6 features a five-link suspension setup at both ends. There are three suspension systems available: standard, sport (20mm lower), and an adaptive air suspension that can be 30mm lower than standard.
Like the A6 Avant, the sedan has screen-heavy dashboard. There’s a 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver, and this is housed in the same frame as a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. A smaller 10.9-inch touchscreen just for the front passenger is an optional extra.
The infotainment system runs on the Android Automotive operating system. It supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and has ChatGPT integration for voice commands.
Other available features include a panoramic glass roof with electrochromatic shading, a 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, four-zone climate control, and soft-close doors.
Measuring 4.99m long, 1.88m wide, and riding on a 2927mm wheelbase, the new A6 sedan is 60mm longer than the previous generation. Boot space is rated at 492 litres, and the rear seat folds 40:20:40.
Audi’s Neckarsulm plant in Germany will produce the new petrol and diesel A6 models for most markets outside of China. The new A6 sedan will begin arriving in European showrooms around the middle of the year.
MORE: Everything Audi A6
