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First Drive: 2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.

First Drive: 2011 Audi A6
Audi revamps its A6 executive saloon with impressive results - is this company unstoppable?

   



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| First Drive | Sicily, Italy | 2011 Audi A6 |

Yet another new Audi is about to hit UK showrooms. This time, it's the A6 executive saloon - lighter and more economical than its forebear, with enough gizmos to make Inspector Gadget jealous.

In the Metal

The sober lines of the outgoing Audi A6 have been reworked in favour of a hard-edged look. The headlamps - now very much up-to-date with the rest of the Audi range - are narrow and jagged, but the big trapezoid grille is still there. The tail lights have also been slimmed down, as has the whole profile of the car. It's altogether much cleaner than its predecessor.

Much of the interior is reminiscent of the Audi A8's cabin - as far as we can tell the dials and are exactly the same. That's no bad thing, because the quality is of the highest order. Smooth, thick leather complements the soft and seemingly indestructible plastics, offset by subtle but tasteful wood or aluminium - depending on the trim level. It's not the most individual cabin, but it's certainly classy.

What you get for your Money

UK cars start at £30,145 and the first deliveries are due in April. As for spec levels, there's a choice of two (SE and S-Line), but the sky's the limit for additional equipment. All cars come with leather trim, alloy wheels, satnav, Bluetooth, cruise control, all-round parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, stop-start and split folding rear seats. Hardly mean.

Tick the S-line box and you'll add 18-inch alloys, sports suspension, xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, plush Valcona leather and interior and exterior styling tweaks.

Most of the digital toys are controlled by the Multimedia Interface (MMI) system. The standard 6.5-inch screen will be familiar to anyone who has sat in a modern Audi (even the A1 supermini is available with MMI as an option), but a rather cool eight-inch flat screen version is on offer. Mounted adjacent to the steering wheel in the centre of the dash, it slides and folds away horizontally when the ignition is switched off - or if you just want it out of the way.

Driving it

We spent most of our time in the flagship 3.0-litre TFSI V6 model with 296bhp. Suffice to say, it's most rapid, with a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph. The blown lump is hardly short of punch from the off - peak torque of 325lb.ft comes on song between 2,900- and 4,500rpm - but it's also suitably urgent beyond 5,000rpm - definitely the speed freak's choice. It boasts a credible 34.5mpg and 190g/km, too.

The 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine with 201bhp (a 242bhp version is also available) is more lethargic, but proved relaxed, easier to live with and had almost as much urge from lower down the rev range. We didn't manage to sample it this time around, but the 2.0 TDI engine has the lowest running costs of the range. Figures of 57.7mpg and 129g/km are thoroughly impressive for a saloon of the A6's size - and it can still hit 62mph in 8.7 seconds from rest. Eco-conscious types should look out for the forthcoming hybrid version, too.

As for the ride, it's very composed (more so on the SE models) and irons out rough surfaces exceptionally well. Grip reserves are plentiful, especially with the quattro models, but the steering, though direct, lacks any real feedback. There's no doubt that the Audi A6 errs on the side of comfort - a fact backed up by its exceptionally refined and quiet cabin (the quietest in its class, according to its maker), in which you can hear only a light buffeting of wind at speed.

Worth Noting

We've already mentioned the very long options list, but it's worth bearing in mind the raft of gadgets offered in the Audi A6. Tick the box marked 'Mobile Telephone Preparation High' and you'll be able to plot your route on a PC/Mac before travelling and instruct the satnav to follow it. You'll also be regularly updated with news and weather information and the navigation display will appear very realistic thanks to Google Earth imagery. You can even hook up an iPad or smartphone to the internet on the move.

On the safety front, there's a thermal imaging camera that highlights 'warm-blooded' objects on the road, which warns the driver and works in conjunction with the pre-safe system to slow the car and prepare for a shunt. A colour head-up display lists the vitals in front of the driver, while massaging seats, a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and TV reception are also on offer.

Summary

As we expected, the new A6 is every inch an Audi. It shares much in common with other large cars in the company's stable like the A8, the A5 and the A7 Sportback. Spurred by its continuous success on the forecourts (1.1 million sales worldwide in 2010, almost 100,000 of which were in the UK) Audi obviously knows when it's on to a good thing.

Such similarities hamper the A6's individuality as a model in its own right, but other than that we're not criticising. The quality of the interior is easily a contender for the best in its class (if not the best) and the ride and refinement are excellent. If you're into your gadgets then it's certainly for you - even standard models come with a generous amount of equipment. Equally impressive economy, emissions and performance figures only work further in the A6's favour.

Driving thrill seekers should look elsewhere. Anyone with a company car allowance to burn who values comfort, refinement, gadgets and a fine build has a ready-made car in the new Audi A6.

Jack Carfrae. Photography by Max Earey. - 27 Jan 2011



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2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.



2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.
 

2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.
 

2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.
 

2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.
 

2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.
 

2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.
 

2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.
 

2011 Audi A6. Image by Max Earey.
 






 

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