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Ken Gratton13 Mar 2015
NEWS

Audi A6 facelifted for 2015

Smarter looks, improved engines and added active safety kit collectively enhance large car's market appeal

Audi Australia has launched its upgraded A6 range for 2015, promising a safer, more efficient model to take the battle up to BMW's 5 Series.

The changes for the A6 apply in varying measure to the A7 liftback as well, and include all variants – Allroad wagon and all the performance variants as well (S6/S7, RS 6/RS 7).

"The A6 range is the epitome of a sophisticated luxury sedan and now, more than ever, the new optimised range of A6 variants offer the ideal mode of transport for successful business people, thanks to numerous improvements which have been made," said Andrew Doyle, Audi Australia MD.

Of the S6 and S7 models Doyle had this to say: "Now, with a thorough styling update that still maintains the sophistication of this sleek vehicle, and the introduction of Audi's latest lighting technology, the new A7 Sportback offers a fresh take on the original car's stunning design."

At entry level, the A6 range is founded on the front-wheel drive 1.8 TFSI model at $79,900 – an increase of $2000 over the price of its superseded counterpart, which displaced 2.0 litres and was also a turbocharged, direct-injected petrol four-cylinder. The new engine develops 140kW/320Nm, rather than the 132kW/320Nm output of the older powerplant. Fuel consumption has dropped from 6.4 to 5.7L/100km in combined-cycle testing, and Audi is claiming a 0-100km/h time of 7.9 seconds – an improvement of 0.4 seconds.

Rather than the Multitronic continuously variable transmission used in the past, the 1.8-litre A6 now drives to the front wheels by the medium of a seven-speed S tronic (dual-clutch) transmission, which offers a 'freewheel' mode to boost fuel efficiency further during open-road cruising.

For the moment, the 2.0 TDI variant is missing from the range, but Audi advises the four-cylinder diesel will show up later in the year. As for the petrol 2.0-litre, the diesel four will drive through an S tronic transmission also. All variants other than the 1.8 TFSI are quattro (all-wheel drive models) and all engines, including the 1.8-litre petrol four, are Euro 6-compliant.

The 3.0-litre TDI V6 turbo-diesel – priced now just below $100,000 – actually produces lower power output than the engine it replaces (160kW versus 180kW), but torque remains at 500Nm and fuel efficiency has improved from 6.0 to 5.1L/100km. That power deficit has resulted in a half-second delay reaching 100km/h from a standing start, now 6.6 seconds.

With the introduction of the 'clean diesel' Biturbo V6 /news/2014/audi/audi-unveils-clean-diesel-v6-43413, the A6 powered by this engine sees a 5kW lift to 235kW, while the peak torque figure continues to be 650Nm. That slight power increase has shaved 0.1 seconds off the 0-100km/h time, which is now bang on 5.0 seconds. Fuel consumption (combined-cycle) is 6.1L/100km for the Biturbo variant. This is the only engine in the range driving through ZF's eight-speed automatic transmission, rather than the seven-speed S tronic box.

Also upgraded for 2015 is the 4.0-litre TFSI V8 that drives the S6 and S7 variants. According to Audi, the turbocharged, direct-injected V8 is 22kW more powerful than before, now producing 331kW. With torque still peaking at 550Nm, the added power has knocked 0.2 seconds off the 0-100km/h time, which is now 4.4 seconds. Despite that, fuel consumption is reduced from 9.6 to 9.4L/100km. Unwanted NVH from this engine is suppressed inside the car by an Active Noise Cancellation system.

Audi has developed for the A6 a new infotainment system supported by the Nvidia Tegra 30 quad-core processor. The infotainment system features DIS (Driver Information System), which displays high-resolution satellite mapping in the real estate between speedo and tacho. In effect it's the TT's Virtual Cockpit on a smaller scale, and without the multi-mode display.

Standard features of the A6 1.8 TFSI consist of 18-inch alloy wheels in a new design, S Line exterior treatment, LED Daytime Running Lights, High-beam assist, MMI Navigation plus, Bluetooth connectivity, CD/DVD 10-speaker audio system with USB port, Park System plus, front/rear cameras, electric fold-in mirrors, Audi Side Assist, Digital radio (DAB+) and 'convenience' key.

Additional standard equipment for the A6 3.0 TDI includes Audi Lane Assist, four-zone climate control, LED headlights and dynamic rear indicators. The Biturbo model is sold in the same specification, other than the fitment of standard 19-inch alloy wheels. S6 comes with 20-inch wheels and exclusive sports seats with diamond stitching and advanced safety systems like Active Lane and Side Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, quattro sports differential and adaptive air suspension. Topping the range is the RS 6, trimmed largely as for the S6, but with 21-inch wheels, Park Assist, Matrix LED headlights, digital radio and TV, plus head-up display – all as standard.

Arguably the most notable change to the A6 and A7 is the adoption of Matrix LED headlights. An electronically controlled system that dims individual LEDs on the fly as other traffic approaches, the clever new technology is, however, an option costing $2500 on even the range-topping S6/S7. Headlight and tail light clusters also incorporate dynamic LED indicators (N/A for tail lights in the base model), which blink sequentially in the intended direction of travel. Xenon headlights are standard for the 1.8 TFSI model, all other variants are fitted with 'conventional' LEDs.

The Technik package is priced at $4800 for most variants and bundles up Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Audi Pre-sense plus, Park Assist, 360-degree camera and Audi Connect. For $1000 extra, buyers of the A6 1.8 TFSI can specify the Technik pack with Active Lane Assist and four-zone climate control as well. 

Distinguishing the new car from the old is a raft of new styling cues, such as the wider grille (with chrome surround), sleeker headlights, a chrome garnish for the tailgate, trapezoidal exhaust outlets (chrome-tipped for S and RS models), and narrower LED tail lights. New windscreen and side glass offer 'acoustic glazing' to suppress NVH from outside the car.

The new A6 and A7 models are officially on sale now, with prices as follows:
A6 1.8 TFSI $79,900
A6 3.0 TDI $99,900
A6 Allroad $111,900
A6 3.0 TDI Biturbo $124,900
S6 4.0 TFSI $169,900
RS 6 $239,500

A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI $115,400
A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Biturbo $144,900
S7 Sportback 4.0 TFSI $179,900
RS 7 $242,000

Pictured: A6 1.8 TFSI

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Written byKen Gratton
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