The expectation could not be greater. As you know, Audi was the last of the German «three giants» to renew its E-segment executive. The starting shot was given by Mercedes-Benz in 2016, with the E-Class (generation W213), followed by BMW in 2017 with the 5 Series (G30 generation) and, finally, the ring brand, with the Audi A6 (C8 generation), which will hit the market this year.
As the last brand to show its strengths and the first to know the tricks of the competition, Audi had an obligation to do as well or better than the latter. Even more at a time when direct competition is not limited to German rivals – it arises from all sides, mainly from Northern Europe.
Audi A6 (Generation C8) the lengthy response
I'm trying to get away from the typical “Laughs Last Laughs Best”, but actually Audi has reason to smile. On the outside, the Audi A6 (C8 generation) looks like an Audi A8 that went to the gym, lost a few pounds and became more interesting. Inside, we find many technologies modeled on the brand's flagship. Still, the new Audi A6 is a model with its own identity.
Swipe the image gallery to see all the outside details:
In terms of platform, we are back to find the MLB-Evo that we already know from models like the Audi A8 and Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus.
With this MLB platform, Audi managed to maintain the weight of the A6 despite the gigantic increase in technology at the service of the occupants.
On the road, the new Audi A6 feels more agile than ever. The directional rear axle (available on the most powerful versions) works miracles for the agility of the package and the suspension is superbly tuned whatever the version — there are four suspensions available. There is a suspension without adaptive damping, a sportier one (but also without adaptive damping), another with adaptive damping and at the top of the range, an air suspension.
I tested all these suspensions with the exception of the sportier version without adaptive damping.
The simplest suspension of all already offers a very interesting compromise between efficiency and comfort. Adaptive suspension boosts responsiveness in more engaged driving but doesn't add much in terms of comfort. As for the pneumatic suspension, according to one of the Audi technicians with whom I had the opportunity to speak, the gains are only noticeable when we are sold out.
The feeling I was left with — and that it needs a longer contact — is that in this particular Audi may have gotten the better of its more direct competition. And you don't even need to opt for the Audi A6 with the most evolved suspension, even the simplest suspension is already very satisfactory.
Criticism-proof interior
Just as on the outside there are obvious similarities with the Audi A8, on the inside we are once again finding solutions inspired by the “big brother”. As in the exterior, the interior also differentiates in terms of details and the sportier posture of the cabin, with more angular lines and focused on the driver. As for the build quality and the materials, everything is at the level of what Audi is used to: impeccable.
Compared to the seventh generation of the A6, the new Audi A6 lost its retractable screen but gained two screens that are used to control the infotainment system MMI Touch Response with haptic and acoustic feedback. This means that we can operate the screens, feeling and hearing a tactile and audible click, which confirms the activation of a function as soon as the finger presses on the display. A solution that tries to make up for the lack of feedback from traditional touch screens.
Swipe the image gallery to see all the outside details:
Cabin with Audi A8 technology.
In terms of space, the new Audi A6 gained space in all directions, thanks to the adoption of the aforementioned MLB platform. In the rear, you can travel in a completely unobstructed way and we can face the biggest journeys without fear. You can also travel very well in the driver's seat, thanks to the seats with a good comfort/support ratio.
Awesome Tech Cocktail
The new Audi A6 is always on the alert, thanks to a range of state-of-the-art 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 autonomously placed 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 steering to keep the car in the lane.
In addition to these, the new Audi A6 allows for autonomous driving level 3, but it is one of those cases where technology has outstripped legislation — for now, only test vehicles are allowed to circulate on public roads with this level of driving. autonomous. In any case, what is already possible to test (like the lane maintenance system) is the best I've tested. The car stays in the center of the lane and easily takes over even the sharpest curves on the highway.
Are we going to the engines? Mild-Hybrid for everyone!
In this first contact I had the opportunity to test the new Audi A6 in three versions: 40 TDI, 50 TDI and 55 TFSI. If this new Audi nomenclature is “Chinese” for you, read this article. The Audi A6 40 TDI should be the version that is most in demand in the national market, and therefore, it was in this one that I traveled the most kilometers.
Equipped with a 204 hp 2.0 TDI engine supported by a 12 V electric motor — which makes this model a mild-hybrid or semi-hybrid — and seven-speed dual-clutch (S-Tronic) gearbox, the new Audi A6 arrives and leaves for orders. It is an always available and discreet engine.
Under real conditions, according to Audi, the semi-hybrid system guarantees a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 0.7 l/100 km.
Naturally, when we get behind the wheel of the 50 TDI version, equipped with the 3.0 V6 TDI with 286 hp and 610 Nm, we feel that we are behind the wheel of something more special. The engine is more discreet than in the 40 TDI version and offers us a more forceful acceleration capacity.
At the top of the range — at least until the arrival of a 100% hybrid version or the all-powerful RS6 — we find the 55 TFSI version, equipped with a 3.0 l V6 petrol engine with 340 hp, capable of accelerating the Audi A6 up to 100 km/h in just 5.1s. Consumptions? They will have to be cleared another time.
Final considerations
I said goodbye to the Douro roads and the new Audi A6 (C8 generation) with the following certainty: choosing a model in this segment has never been so difficult. They are all very good, and the Audi A6 comes with a well-researched lesson.
Compared to the previous generation, the new Audi A6 has improved in every way. In such a way that even the most demanding will find in the 40 TDI version a model capable of surpassing the best expectations.