The new Audi A6 saloon is lighter, greener and more tech-heavy than ever.
The mini-A8 styling is more evolutionary than revolutionary, but underneath the skin are some key changes.
Initially the A6 comes with a choice of four engines: a range-topping 3.0-litre petrol lump and three TDI units.
And because all new A6 engines are linked to efficiency-enhancing systems like start-stop and energy recovery the average consumption across the range has been dropped by 13 per cent. Importantly the A6 has also undergone a serious weight loss programme by adopting a composite steel-aluminium construction.
The mini-A8 styling is more evolutionary than revolutionary, but underneath the skin are some key changes.
Initially the A6 comes with a choice of four engines: a range-topping 3.0-litre petrol lump and three TDI units.
And because all new A6 engines are linked to efficiency-enhancing systems like start-stop and energy recovery the average consumption across the range has been dropped by 13 per cent. Importantly the A6 has also undergone a serious weight loss programme by adopting a composite steel-aluminium construction.
The oil-burning range consists of the entry-level 2.0-litre 174bhp diesel and a pair of 3.0 TDIs available with a choice of either 201bhp or 241bhp.
According to Audi the latter will deliver 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds, while still managing to return 47.9mpg on the combined cycle and emit just 156g/km of CO2.
The petrol engine is a familiar supercharged 3.0-litre, which delivers 296bhp.
Two days before the baby A8 went on sale in the UK, Audi invited me to Coworth Park in Ascot to test out its credentials on the beautiful Berkshire roads.
As the 2.0-litre diesel is expected to swallow-up the majority of new A6 sales it was this model I opted to take for a spin for a couple of hours before lunch.
The 2.0-litre TDI is the most efficient model in the range - delivering 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, 141mph maximum speed, 57.6 combined mpg and 129g/km CO2 - and therefore easy to see why Audi expect it to account for 75 per cent of sales.
On the road the new A6 handles much better than the outgoing model and is perfect for motorway driving. Acceleration is good, making overtaking easy, while the car feels agile thanks to a 200kg saving underneath.
Audi says 98 per cent of European buyers will take their A6s with diesel power, but what's on offer for those who want to think out of the box?
I couldn't resist an hour behind the wheel of the blown petrol six to find out.
Until the inevitable S and RS models arrive, this is as performance-focused as A6s come.
The fun 296bhp engine will fire the 1740kg charger from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds before crashing into an electronic limiter at 155mph.
So why will most people opt for the diesel? The petrol version costs roughly the same price as the range-topping diesel and, let's face it, with 241bhp and masses more torque, the diesel is far from slow, reaching 62mph in 6.1 seconds.
Factor in the ability to cover far more miles on a single gallon, lower company car tax that results from a reduction in CO2 and you've got the reasons why most sensible people will buy the oil burner. But then again, we can't always be sensible can we?
As always with Audi, there is a huge array of technology and comforts on offer across the range, including leather upholstery, satellite navigation via a retractable 6.5-inch display, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, a 10-speaker sound system, cruise control and park assist as standard.
Should you wish to fork out for a few extras and personalise your A6 then why not opt for a head-up display and the MMI touch operating system that connects to Google earth and integrates with the navigation route?
Prices start from £30,145 for the entry-level 2.0TDI and stretch to the £41,640 for the 3.0TFSI quattro.
By Richard Jones
According to Audi the latter will deliver 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds, while still managing to return 47.9mpg on the combined cycle and emit just 156g/km of CO2.
The petrol engine is a familiar supercharged 3.0-litre, which delivers 296bhp.
Two days before the baby A8 went on sale in the UK, Audi invited me to Coworth Park in Ascot to test out its credentials on the beautiful Berkshire roads.
As the 2.0-litre diesel is expected to swallow-up the majority of new A6 sales it was this model I opted to take for a spin for a couple of hours before lunch.
The 2.0-litre TDI is the most efficient model in the range - delivering 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, 141mph maximum speed, 57.6 combined mpg and 129g/km CO2 - and therefore easy to see why Audi expect it to account for 75 per cent of sales.
On the road the new A6 handles much better than the outgoing model and is perfect for motorway driving. Acceleration is good, making overtaking easy, while the car feels agile thanks to a 200kg saving underneath.
Audi says 98 per cent of European buyers will take their A6s with diesel power, but what's on offer for those who want to think out of the box?
I couldn't resist an hour behind the wheel of the blown petrol six to find out.
Until the inevitable S and RS models arrive, this is as performance-focused as A6s come.
The fun 296bhp engine will fire the 1740kg charger from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds before crashing into an electronic limiter at 155mph.
So why will most people opt for the diesel? The petrol version costs roughly the same price as the range-topping diesel and, let's face it, with 241bhp and masses more torque, the diesel is far from slow, reaching 62mph in 6.1 seconds.
Factor in the ability to cover far more miles on a single gallon, lower company car tax that results from a reduction in CO2 and you've got the reasons why most sensible people will buy the oil burner. But then again, we can't always be sensible can we?
As always with Audi, there is a huge array of technology and comforts on offer across the range, including leather upholstery, satellite navigation via a retractable 6.5-inch display, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, a 10-speaker sound system, cruise control and park assist as standard.
Should you wish to fork out for a few extras and personalise your A6 then why not opt for a head-up display and the MMI touch operating system that connects to Google earth and integrates with the navigation route?
Prices start from £30,145 for the entry-level 2.0TDI and stretch to the £41,640 for the 3.0TFSI quattro.
By Richard Jones
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