The ring brand ended up revealing everything we need to know about the new generation (C8) of the Audi A6, all after the image leak that ended the secret. And of course, as with the recent Audi A8 and A7, the new A6 is a feast… technological.
Beneath an evolutionary styling, updated with the latest visual codes of the brand's identity — the single-frame, wider hexagonal grille is the highlight — the new Audi A6 features a technological arsenal that encompasses all aspects of the car: from the 48 V semi-hybrid system to the 37 (!) driving assistance systems. We highlight below the six key points of the new model.
1 — Semi-hybrid system
We've already seen it on the A8 and A7, so the proximity of the new Audi A6 to these models wouldn't let you guess anything else. All engines will be semi-hybrid, which consist of a parallel 48 V electrical system, a lithium battery to power it, and an electric motor-generator that replaces the alternator and starter. However, a 12V semi-hybrid system will also be used on some powertrains.
The objective is to guarantee lower consumption and emissions, assisting the combustion engines, allowing powering a series of electrical systems and extending certain functionalities, such as those relating to the start-stop system. This can act from the moment the car reaches 22 km/h, sliding silently to a stop, as when approaching a traffic light. The braking system can recover up to 12 kW of energy.
It also has a “free wheel” system that operates between 55 and 160 km/h, keeping all electrical and electronic systems active. Under real conditions, according to Audi, the semi-hybrid system guarantees a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 0.7 l/100 km.
At the front, the "single frame" grille stands out.
2 — Engines and transmissions
For now, the brand has only presented two engines, one gasoline and the other diesel, both V6, with 3.0 liters of capacity, respectively 55 TFSI and 50 TDI — these denominations will take time to get used to...THE 55 TFSI it has 340 hp and 500 Nm of torque, it is capable of taking the A6 to 100 km/h in 5.1, it has average consumption between 6.7 and 7.1 l/100 km and CO2 emissions between 151 and 161 g/km. THE 50 TDI it produces 286 hp and 620 Nm, with average consumption between 5.5 and 5.8 l/100 and emissions between 142 and 150 g/km.
All transmissions on the new Audi A6 will be automatic. A necessity due to the existence of several driving assistance systems, which would not be possible with the use of a manual transmission. But there are several: the 55 TFSI is mated to a dual-clutch gearbox (S-Tronic) with seven speeds, the 50 TDI to a more traditional one with a torque converter (Tiptronic) with eight gears.
Both engines are only available with the quattro system, that is, with all-wheel drive. There will be an Audi A6 with front-wheel drive, which will be available for future access engines like the 2.0 TDI.
3 — Driving assistance systems
We're not going to list them all — not least because there are 37(!) — and even Audi, to avoid confusion among customers, grouped them into three packages. Parking and Garage Pilot stand out — it allows the car to be placed autonomously, inside, for example, a garage, which can be monitored via the smartphone and the myAudi App — and Tour assist — supplements the adaptive cruise control with slight interventions in the direction to keep the car in the carriageway.
In addition to these, the new Audi A6 already allows for autonomous driving level 3, but it is one of those cases where technology has outstripped legislation — for now only manufacturers' test vehicles are allowed to circulate on public roads with this level of driving. autonomous.
4 — Infotainment
The MMI system is inherited from the Audi A8 and A7, revealing two touch screens with haptic and sound response, both with 8.6″, with the superior one being able to grow up to 10.1″. The lower screen, located over the central tunnel, controls the climate functions, as well as other supplementary functions such as text entry.
Both can be accompanied, if you choose MMI Navigation plus, by the Audi Virtual Cockpit, the digital instrument panel with 12.3″. But it doesn't stop there, as the Head-Up display is present, capable of projecting information directly onto the windshield.
MMI infotainment system bets heavily on tactile operation. Functions separated by two screens, with the top being responsible for multimedia and navigation and the bottom for climate control.
5 — Dimensions
The new Audi A6 has grown marginally compared to its predecessor. The design has been carefully optimized in the wind tunnel, with the 0.24 Cx being announced for one of the variants. Naturally, he uses the MLB Evo already seen on the A8 and A7, a multi-material base, with steel and aluminum as the main materials used. However, the Audi A6 has gained a few kilograms — between 5 and 25 kg depending on the version — "guilt" of the semi-hybrid system that adds 25 kg.The brand mentions increased levels of habitability, but the luggage compartment capacity remains at 530 liters, despite its internal width having increased.
6 — Suspensions
“Agile as a sports car, maneuverable as a compact model”, is how the brand refers to the new Audi A6.
To achieve these characteristics, not only is the steering more direct — and it can be active with a variable ratio — but the rear axle is steerable, allowing the wheels to turn up to 5º. This solution allows the A6 to have a minimum turning radius of 1.1 meters lower, totaling 11.1 m in total.
The chassis can also be equipped with four types of suspension: conventional, with non-adjustable shock absorbers; sporty, firmer; with adaptive dampers; and finally, air suspension, also with adaptive shock absorbers.
Much of the suspension components are now made of lighter aluminum and, according to Audi, although the wheels can now be up to 21″ with tires up to 255/35, the levels of comfort in driving and for passengers are superior to the predecessor. .
The front optics are LED and are available in three versions. The top of the range is the HD Matrix LED, with its own luminous signature, made up of five horizontal lines.
When does it hit the market?
The new Audi A6 is scheduled to be presented to the public at the Geneva Motor Show next week, and at the moment, the only advance information is that it will reach the German market in June. The arrival in Portugal should take place in the following months.