Audi is driving home the significance of its quattro all wheel drive system by making it standard across the board with its all-new A6 model, which was introduced to the public at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne.
The new executive-class Audi comes well-laden with three six-cylinder turbo petrol and diesel engine choices, seven-speed S Tronic auto transmission and the availability of head-up display and night vision.
With very similar dimensions to the outgoing model, the seventh generation A6 weighs in lighter than its predecessor, to the tune of as much as 80kg depending on variant.
This has been achieved through more extensive use of aluminium in the car’s construction. According to Audi “Its stiffness, vibration characteristics and crash performance are impressive, as are its aerodynamics and aero acoustics.”
Equally as impressive are the gains in engine efficiency, where standard features including start-stop technology and energy recovery contribute to fuel savings of as much as 21 per cent compared to the previous A6.
New electromechanical steering is claimed to provide high levels of efficiency, while complementing the “sporty” A6 chassis. Audi’s drive select dynamic handling system is standard on all models, while adaptive air suspension is optional. Optional “dynamic” steering is coming, along with two additional A6 variants, towards the end of the year.
Engine variants are the petrol 150kW/280Nm 2.8 FSI V6 that claims a combined average fuel consumption of 8.0L/100km, and the 220kW/440Nm 3.0 TFSI V6 that claims 8.2L/100km. The 3.0 TDI V6 turbodiesel outputs 180kW/500Nm and claims an impressive combined average fuel consumption of 6.0L/100km.
The quattro system provides full-time 4WD via a centre differential, while an optional “sport” differential “actively distributes torque to the rear wheels.”
Standard equipment in the new A6 includes climate-control air conditioning, Bang and Olufsen audio and the latest-generation MMI radio operating system. A touch pad with numeral and letter recognition function is also standard, while the MMI navigation system plus, with MMI touch, is optional. Audi says the hard-disk navigation system can be largely controlled via the touchpad.
Audi also joined the throng of manufacturers at the Melbourne show displaying an all-electric concept car – the e-tron, in Audi’s case.
The high-performance EV has a total power output of 230kW and claims a range of 248km, along with zero to 100km/h acceleration in 4.8 seconds. Top speed is limited to 200km/h.
The e-tron has four electric motors, one at each wheel, all powered by a 470kg lithium-ion battery pack with 42.4 kilowatt hours of energy storage. Charging time on a normal household power outlet is quoted at between six and eight hours, while a high voltage 400 volts 63 amperes charger reduces this to about 2.5 hours.
Audi says the production version, the R8 e-tron, will appear in late 2012, when a small number of cars hits the streets weighing not a lot more than the concept car, with a weight of 1600kg.
Also debuting at the show was the “lighter, faster, more powerful” Audi R8 GT with a maximum output of 412kW/540Nm from a hi-po 5.2-litre FSI V10 engine, plus numerous weight-saving measures resulting in an all-up weight of just over 1.5 tonnes.
Audi claims a top speed of 320km/h and zero to 200km/h acceleration in 10.8 seconds. The claim is that the R8 GT “sprints from a standing start to highway speed in 3.6 seconds.”
Manufacturers List Pricing:(MLP excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)
Audi A6 2.8 FSI quattro: $93,900
Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro: $116,500
Audi A6 3.0 TFSI quattro: $121,500
Audi R8 GT 6-speed R tronic: $470,700
Audi A6 2.8 FSI quattro: $93,900
Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro: $116,500
Audi A6 3.0 TFSI quattro: $121,500
Audi R8 GT 6-speed R tronic: $470,700
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