Audi A6 Fourth Generation

The Audi A6 is progressed. With its new design, new interior, new features, this premium midsize sedan is ready to progress against the likelihood of the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, or even the Buick LaCrosse (known in South Korea as the GM Korea Alpheon).

2012 Audi A6

The A6's exterior design has progressed and heavily inspired from the styling cues from the eccentric Audi A7 Sportback. Although it was inspired from an eccentric Audi fastback, the sedan look of the new A6 doesn't seem to be eccentric, even with the same side view from the previous 3rd generation model and the rear view heavily inspired from the latest-generation Audi A8. The progressed design really brings out the "Vorsprung durch technik" catchphrase and the executives will be salivated over the A6's brand new look.

2012 Audi A6 interior

Also progressing on the new A6 is the interior as well. Even though the new interior looks similar to the Audi A7 Sportback, it still has some of the technological features offered to bring out the future to the drivers, like the available MMI navigation plus system that features real-time navigation when they need it.

There are various driver assistance systems offered on the new A6. First of all, there were three cameras attached; the front, the back, and infrared that is useful for night driving. Next was the sensors attached at the front, side, and back, then there was also two special sensors; the crash sensors and this one sensor some of them don't understand what it is; the SARA sensor which automatically activates the ESP and Audi pre-sense basic. These cameras and sensors are highly essential for parking, cruise control, and crash response, making it more safer to drive than other European premium medium-sized sedans. This is how safety is progressed.

By the time the new A6 sedan arrives this March 2011, the available 2.8L FSI, 3.0 TFSi, and 3.0 TDi engine are available as of press time and there will be a "hybrid" version available very soon. The 2.8L FSi engine is the most fuel efficient of the line-up because not only it comes with the CVT, but the fuel consumption of 7.4 Liter/100 km as well. The most powerful variant of the new A6 for now is the 3.0L TFSi engine because of the high-revving power output of 300PS and it reaches 5.5 seconds on the 0-100km run. It consumes 8.2 Liter / 100km of fuel, making more frugal to go further.

My thoughts about the A6:

I guess luxury has progressed for the new Audi A6 just how the latest Audi A8 and the Audi A7 Sportback progressed its luxury status thanks to its "Art of Progress" this premiere German luxury car maker wants to achieve and become the Alpha of the luxury car brands. The sedan version is the only new A6 available and sales start this March following with the Avant variant this Autumn 2011. An allroad variant is unlikely to happen but I believe that Audi may not bring the allroad variant of the new A6 due to the previous generation's low reception. This looks more choppy to expect for me.

Still, the progressed design doesn't look more choppy to me, because it has the styling cues the predecessors failed to achieve. I'm glad the progressed design made it into something special. The new Audi A6 makes a perfect fistfight against the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Lexus GS, Buick LaCrosse, or GM Korea Alpheon.

Photo: Audi AG