Detroit 2011: Audi A6/Hybrid Debut

It's an anomoly.  Audi's current A6 is older than dirt by midsize-luxobarge standards, but it continues to win comparison tests. It probably has to do with the monster under the hood: everyone seems to love Audi's dumbly-named 3.0T engine (which has a supercharger and not a turbocharger, for some reason), and combined with Quattro AWD, it's a hard combo to beat.

But the current A6 debuted back in 2004, which means it's older than every other competitor on the market.  So now seems like a good time for Audi to debut the new A6, and they've wisely chosen not to change the formula too much.  The styling follows the critically acclaimed new A8 sedan, with a mixture of new A4 in there for flavor.  It's clearly recognizable as an Audi, from the funky LED running lights, to the billy-the-bigmouth-bass grille.  Attractive, in a conservative way.  Hey, it's easier to look at than a 5-series!  Audi is starting to fall into the same pattern BMW has followed for years, which some journalists refer to as "Sausages of different lengths."  You could look at the new A6 in a number of ways:  a bigger A4, a smaller A8, an A7 Sportback with a trunk...

Regardless, with Audis the mechanical details have always been more interesting than the styling.  The new A6 aims to improve the performance and efficiency of the old model.  On the efficiency front, Audi is doing to the A6 what Jaguar's been doing to the XJ since the early 2000's: aluminum-intensive construction.  20% of the new A6 is made out of the lightweight alloy, including the front fenders, hood, doors, trunk, bulkhead and trunk crossmember, and almost all of the suspension components.  It's useful to compare the dimensions and weight of the old and the new A6 to see the benefit.

150 pounds of weight reduction in the same model with the same dimensions and drivetrain is not something we see very frequently these days in the automotive sector, so kudos to Audi for focusing on "less mass" rather than "more weight."

What about the engines?  In typical Audi fashion, the new A6 will launch with a whole load of engine options, with even more in the wings.  There are 5 total engine options from the start, with two gas and three diesel.  The base gasoline engine is a 2.8L direct-injected V6, with 204bhp (up from 190 previously) and 207 lb-ft of torque.  With the Multitronic CVT, it will do 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds, with a top speed of 240km/h (149mph.)  Fuel consumption is down, as well.  Top of the gasoline-engine heap (for now) is the now-familiar "3.0T" engine.  Now boasting an even 300bhp and 325lb-ft, the A6 3.0T (which has Quattro standard) does a 0-60 in 5.5 seconds and is limited to 155mph, as normal.

There are three diesels, one four cylinder and two V6's.  The 2.0TDI has been reworked, now delivering 177 horsepower and 280lb-ft of torque.  With a six-speed manual, the 2.0 TDI will haul the A6 to 60 in 8.7 seconds and still do 141mph flat-out, while returning 48mpg combined on the EU cycle.  There's a choice of two 3.0 V6 TDI engines, as well.  The lesser of the two makes do with 204bhp and 295lb-ft, which does 0-60 in 7.2 with the CVT and 149mph.  The most powerful diesel is the same 3.0 V6 reworked to provide 245 horsepower (up from 240 in the previous model) as well as 369 lb-ft of torque.  This one comes pretty close to matching the 3.0T's acceleration, with a 6.1s 0-60 time and an honest 155mph limited flat out, while still averaging 38 mpg EU, compared to the thirsty 3.0T's 26.7 mpg combined.

There are three different transmissions and two different drivetrain setups available on the new A6, confusingly enough.  You have your choice of front-wheel-drive or Quattro 4WD, which uses the nifty new crown-gear center differential that first appeared in the RS5.  Audi's active rear LSD is also available in some models.  Transmissions include a 6-speed manual, a Multitronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), and a 7-speed S-Tronic (dual clutch automated manual.)  The base 2.0TDI is only available with front wheel drive, paired with either the 6-speed manual or the CVT.  The 2.8FSI with FWD can be had with the same manual or CVT as the 2.0 TDI, while a 2.8 FSI Quattro gets the 7-speed S-tronic automatically.  The 204bhp 3.0 TDI can be had with a manual and FWD, or an S-Tronic and AWD.  Finally, both the 245bhp 3.0 TDI as well as the 300bhp 3.0TFSI come with Quattro and S-Tronic as standard.  Whew - Audi knows how to make a confusing lineup, alright.

As if it wasn't c0nfusing enough, soon after the A6 launches, Audi will start selling an A6 Hybrid model.  This uses the 2.0TFSI turbo gas I4 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, but with a 33kW (45hp) electric motor taking the place of the torque converter.  Fed by a small lithium-ion battery in the trunk, Audi says the A6 hybrid delivers the power of a V6 with the fuel economy of a 4 cylinder.  And they're right on the money; the A6 hybrid does 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds and tops out at 149mph, compared with the 2.8FSI's 7.7 seconds and 149.  However, the A6 hybrid delivers 37.9mpg combined on the EU, compared to 31.7 for the 2.8FSI.  Which begs the question, who's going to buy the 2.8 if the Hybrid price premium isn't too high?  The A6 is a parallel hybrid, which means it can run on gas, electric, or both.  In electric-only mode it can operate up to speeds of 100k/h, but will only run on electric for about 3km.  It still seems like a nice option if you don't want a diesel, but FWD-only makes it less compelling in the marketplace.

Being an Audi, the interior is a nice place to spend time.  There are lots of luxury and convenience features to swell the options list up to epic levels.  For your keister, 18-way adjustable comfort seats with heating, air-conditioning, and massage functions.  Or there are sport seats with adjustable thigh bolsters and larger torso bolsters are also an option.  You can get your interior trim in "micrometallic" (huh?), aluminum, or three different kinds of wood.  The reworked MMI system is linked to either a 6.5" or 8" color screen mounted in the dash that combines a number of major controls - HVAC, Audio, etc.  In addition to that, there's also an optional 7" Driver Information System (DIS) screen placed in between the speedometer and tachometer, linked to controls on the steering wheel.  It displays trip-computer type information, as well as tips and information for efficient driving.  (this sounds remarkably like a Prius.)  All A6's get standard dual-zone climate control, and a new option for the A6 is a projected Heads-Up Display on the windshield.

Being an Audi, the lighting on both ends is a bit crazy.  Standard headlights are Halogen (oh, the humanity!) but bi-xenon headlights with LED running lamps are optional, as is adaptive lighting.  There's a strip of LED running lights as has become the norm for Audis in the past few years, but the adaptive headlight technology is even cooler.  The headlights are linked to the MMI system and the GPS, which enables them to do things like enable high-beams on on-ramps, or turn on cornering lights before you even reach an intersection.  You can also get the A6 with all-LED headlights, which seems like overkill.

Audi wisely chose to stick to the script with the A6, standing pat where it didn't need improvement, and fixing or updating things that were lacking.  With more power, better efficiency, and striking good looks, the A6 is bound for success.  Sales will start in second quarter 2011, so if you've been wanting an A6 it seems like waiting a few months would be worth it.