Audi A6

Overview

Audi A6 is undoubtedly one of the most exemplary cars in the executive luxury sedan segment of India. The present Audi A6 is the seventh incarnation which was launched back in 2011. The carmaker gave the mid-life update to the luxury sedan in the year 2015. The Audi A6 is one of the best selling cars from the manufacturer after the A4 in the country. With the launch of the newer version, the carmaker also decided to give a new suffix to the car following which the vehicle will be known as Audi A6 Matrix. The facelift comes with updated interiors and exteriors while the engine has been tweaked for better performance.

On the outside, the Audi A6 Matrix comes with new characteristics. As we know that it’s not a brand new car but a mid-life facelift of the previous generation model, there are not drastic changes. However, at the front, the main highlight is the Matrix headlamps that are combined with daytime running light. The headlights comprise of high-beam with 19 small individual light-emitting diodes, each can be switched on and off as per needed. Not only this, the headlamps including four reflectors lit up the road with incredible 966,105,422 different illumination configurations. The front also gets a redesigned radiator grille with sharp edges and more chrome detailing.

At the sides, Audi A6 now runs on a new set of 18-inch V spoke alloy wheels which are much better than the older ones. The car also gets new dynamic turn signals that were introduced on the A8 before. At the rear, the car features smoked tail lamps along with rectangular twin exhaust and faux diffuser in the bumper. Dimensionally, the car remains intact measuring 4932mm in length, 2086mm in width, 1455mm in height while the wheelbase stands at 2912mm. The car is available in 7 graceful colour options namely - Dakota Grey Metallic, Floret Silver Metallic, Moonlight Blue Metallic, Garnet Red Pearl Effect, Mythos Black, Garnet Red Pearl and Ibis White.

Interiors of the Audi A6 feel much more premium than before and get the new wood finish on the dash inlays that provide the car with classy looks. Audi’s MMI multimedia infotainment system has been tweaked for better driver interface while it also gets updated voice guidance and navigation. The system comprises Audi’s smartphone interface, 10GB of onboard hard drive for storing music and the 600W, 14-speaker Bose surround sound system. Other features included in the list are deluxe 4-zone automatic climate control, air quality control, electrically adjustable steering column, height adjustable front seat belts, cruise control, engine start/stop button and USB charger.

Under the hood, Audi A6 Matrix comes with powerful 2.0L TDI engine that has been tweaked for more power at 190 PS and maximum torque of 400Nm. The mill comes mated to 7-speed S-tronic gearbox and paddle shifters for a better driving experience. There is another 1.8LTFSI petrol engine which pumps out 190PS and 320Nm of torque, mated to the same 7-speed dual clutch S-Tronic automatic gearbox. The car’s steering has been now tuned for better city driving and it handles quite well on the highways as well.

Safety in the car is what executive people want these days. The new Audi A6 is loaded with an array of safety aspects such as 8 airbags, Anti-lock braking system, EBD, power door lock, parking system plus, tyre pressure monitor, keyless entry, front impact beams, vehicle stability control system, engine immobilizer, crash sensor, automatic headlamps and anti-theft device.

The new Audi A6 Matrix is offered in only one trim and one variant in the subcontinent that is Audi A6 35 TFSI Matrix. In terms of pricing, the car is tagged at Rs. 55.88 lakh for the petrol and Rs. 56.69 lakh for the diesel variant, ex-showroom. Audi A6 Matrix goes up against the dominant forces in the segment such as Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 series. The vehicle is fully loaded with goodies much similar to its rivals, but the pricing gives Matrix an edge over the competitors.

Interior

Inside, Audi’s high-quality plastics and metal is the usual business. It seems the interiors lack the sense of some drama, however, it is compensated with the intuitive approach in terms of ergonomics. Maybe the design engineers are giving more focus on the function rather than form philosophy. And this can be seen in the new un-veneered wood texture that the carmaker has applied in the car. This has certainly enlivened the interiors and made the cabin a bit more sophisticated than the earlier model.

In terms of luxury, if you are sitting in an Audi car, you do get the sense of richness. The seats are large at both front and the rear and it seems the carmaker has finally sorted out the lack of support in the rear seats, the problem which was there in the previous model. With individual climate control system, the rear passengers will enjoy the car as chauffeur driven. This should have compelled the Audi to add a cooled seating option for the hot and humid seasons as this one feature has the potential to swing a few customers to their side.

Coming to the tech and gadgetry, the car retains the touch-sensitive pad located on the center transmission tunnel which allows you to feed GPS locations or let you scroll through your favorite radio channels. In addition, the carmaker has also given a new voice command system offering Apple or Android device synchronization which also activates your smartphone’s voice command system. Then there is the updated 8-inch infotainment unit centrally mounted which now gets new interface making things easier than before. For the audiophiles, the new 600 Watt, 14-speaker surround sound system does an outstanding job. From DVD playback to Bluetooth interface, USB, Aux-In, SD Card Reader and even visuals for the rear parking, all can be accessed via touch of a screen.

Unfortunately, the new A6 still doesn’t include the large screen based instrument panel that is there in Audi TT. You still get the analog gauges but the LCD screen nicely integrates into the console and gives sharp visuals. The car also gets another small alteration in the form of USB ports in the central cubbyhole. The electric slide and tilt glass sunroof makes the cabin more airy. Overall, there have been nice enhancements inside which does lifts the interiors a notch.

Exterior

As the new Audi A6 is a mid-life update, we can’t expect much from this facelift in terms of exterior styling. The car remains just as sharp and muscular as it was earlier but there have been noticeable additions, especially at the front. The main highlight is, of course, the Matrix headlights, hence the name of the model.

The headlamps which are also the part of many Audi cars such as A8, RS6, RS7, RS8, and TT, comprises of a very aggressive lighting pattern that no other car in the segment has. To be precise, it’s a more modern split design. The headlights uses an adaptive high-beam system that detects oncoming cars and shut down the 19 individual lightning LED diodes so as not to dazzle the approaching drivers. These headlamps, when combined with the daytime running fibre optic LED, give the car a unique sense of freshness.

Other than the headlights, the single-frame grille is now sharp, wider and has more chrome work while the bumper has also been revised. The dynamic side profile remains intact but there are few enhancements here as well. The alloy wheels are larger in size i.e. 18 inch which not only cements the car on the road but also impact its dynamics to a certain degree. At the rear, the new smoked tail lamps, faux diffuser in the rear bumper as well as the rectangular twin exhausts are other striking changes.

Mileage Running Cost

The car houses the same engine as working in the Volkswagen Jetta. The motor has been tweaked to reduce fuel consumption by 7 percent. The diesel engine returns 18.53kmpl while the petrol engine delivers 15.26kmpl, certified by ARAI.

Comfort Suspension

The new A6 like any other Audis is a fun to drive car. The steering wheel feels very light at city speeds which is something good for pottering around the town, however, this could be unfavorable in terms of highways speeds. However, the steering can gain a little weight as after certain speed. The sedan is unexpectedly an easy one when we look from the perspective of normal driving conditions and at the parking space.

The sedan ride extremely well, thanks to the adaptive air suspension which delivers superb ride quality. On most rough roads, the car soaks in bumps and other irregular surfaces quite well. In most highway driving conditions, it is better to switch to the dynamic mode for that rock-steady performance as you can cruise all the day without feeling uncomfortable. The NVH levels are also excellent the moment you start moving the car.

Engine Performance

The engine and the transmission have been updated in the new Audi A6. And those who have driven the earlier A6 can easily differentiate between the performance. Talking about the diesel engine first, the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged motor musters 190PS and 400Nm of max torque. The engine comes mated to 7-speed S-Tronic gearbox which makes the 0-100kmph sprint in just above 8 seconds with the top speed of 232kmph.

The car with this engine delivers well in terms of sedate driving. In terms of mid-range acceleration, it is very quick but enthusiastic drivers would hardly find any excitement. However, at low speeds, the powertrain has enough torque to keep the car running. In terms of performance, the engine offers adequate power as well as acceleration at most of the time. The performance is also fine given the road conditions of India.

The DSG gearbox which is a welcome change works brilliantly with quick shifts and if paddle shifters are used, then the shifting goes to a whole new level. The car offers 4 different driving modes namely Comfort, Dynamic, Auto, and Individual. This alters the engine, transmission, steering and the behavior of the suspension. All in all, the diesel engine is quite smooth and linear and more refined than before.

Now coming to the new 1.8L petrol engine, the 4-cylinder inline with direct fuel injection turbocharging technology produces 190PS and 320Nm peak torque. Though the power output is the same as of diesel, the petrol one is slightly quicker in acceleration and takes just below 8 seconds for a 0-100kmph dash reaching the top speed of 233kmph. The petrol powered A6 is a joy to drive, especially on the highways where the power delivery is linear with impressive torque distribution and thrilling acceleration value.

Braking Safety

The brakes are solid, excellent and progressive. The all-disc brakes aided with various safety techs ensure serious speed sheds confidently. The car comes with flying colours in terms of safety. The new A6 is loaded with 8 airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, vehicle stability control system, tyre pressure monitoring system, rear camera among others safety techs.