For the 2012 model year, Audi has redesigned its bread-and-butter A6 model, adding more technology, more performance and a hybrid model. The exterior isn't a tremendous departure from the current vehicle, with a wide track, long sleek greenhouse and hunkered-down proportions. The biggest difference comes at the front, which has been brought inline with the styling updates seen on the flagship A8. New, heavily styled LED running lamps flank a broader grille and large lower intakes.
Beneath that skin lies a redesigned chassis comprising lightweight aluminum and high-strength steel. The suspension uses multilink aluminum control arms for wheel control and a new electronic power-steering system. Air springs will be optional. Wheel options range from 16-inch alloys all the way up to 20-inchers.
Passengers will be welcomed by an all-new and much more cockpit-like interior. The wraparound design is swaddled in leather, aluminum and laminated woods reminiscent of the A7 Sportback concept. The Audi MMI infotainment system has been made standard with a standard 6.5-inch screen or optional 8-incher. The system provides cloud services starting with Google Earth-powered navigation as well as WLAN connectivity for mobile devices in the car. For the first time Audi is also offering a head-up display that can be customized to deliver whatever information the driver wants. An optional Bang and Olufson high-fidelity sounds system serenades passengers relaxing in also-optional power massaging seats.
The main story with the A6 is an array of new or upgraded powertrains. Across the board, fuel economy has been improved by 19 percent. Worldwide diesel options include a 2.0-liter inline four TDI and two 3.0-liter TDI V6s at different power levels. Gasoline options include the very impressive supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6, sporting 300 hp, 27 mpg and a 2.8-liter naturally aspirated V6. Power-output ranges from 177 hp to 300 hp with the 3.0-liter TFSI. Availability in the U.S has as yet not been released, but don't expect the full array of either gasoline or diesel options.
There are plenty of transmission options for the A6 lineup including a six-speed manual, a CVT and a seven-speed S-tronic automatic. The hybrid gets its own brand new eight-speed transmission. That hybrid model will be the second such offering from Audi following the Q5 Hybrid. The A6 hybrid shares its powertrain with the Q5 Hybrid—a 211-hp 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder augmented by a 45-hp electric motor situated between the engine and an eight-speed transmission. The unit aims to deliver V8 performance without the fuel-economy penalty and is capable of all-electric operation all the way up to 62 mph for brief periods. The electric range depends on the speed but around town, the A6 hybrid should be good for about 1.8 miles. And of course, the hybrid system will regenerate some braking energy, bumping highway fuel economy to around 38 mpg.
