Audi

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All-new Audi A6 means business

Audi has launched its all-new A6 and S6 Sedans. In a dwindling market segment and with the challenges of the pandemic, Audi still has its eye on a share of the shrinking premium business sedan pie.

Audi

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The virus has wreaked all sorts of havoc on the economy and the motor industry hasn’t been spared. In early January, we anticipated a busy and exciting product offensive from Audi SA, some of which we made mention of here. We know what has happened in between all of that but in a digital press conference to media on 9 June, Audi SA highlighted its plans to get back on track.

The first of these includes launching the A6, a premium competitor to the newly face-lifted BMW 5-Series and E-Class. It’s classic Audi A6 in its understated yet graceful design, now with more Coupé-lines most notable down the front bonnet and C-pillar. The light clusters are now more detailed with even more technology only natural for Audi, a brand that has forged an innovative path with lighting tech and animations. But more on that later. The grille and air intakes are larger creating a stance that is still elegant yet with a touch more sportiness.

Standard wheels are 18-inch alloys that are available in a variety of styles, with upgrades to 21-inches available as options. The S6 is fitted with 20-inch contrasting grey alloys as standard, but these too can be swopped for the 21-inchers.

Available Powertrains

Audi has launched three models in the range: The Audi A6 40 TDI is the 2.0-litre turbodiesel, 140kW and 400Nm option, with front-wheel drive and S-tronic transmission. The Audi A6 45 TDI is the 3.0-litre turbodiesel with 183kW and 600Nm. This car is fitted with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system and eight-speed Tiptronic. The flagship in the range (for now) is the S6, powered by a 2,9-litre twin turbo V6 with 331kW and 600Nm of torque. Quattro and the 8-Speed Tiptronic are also fitted.

The S6 makes use of 48V mild-hybrid technology that improves fuel efficiency and emissions. Part of how it works is by turning the engine off when the car is coasting and by the start-stop function now able to work from a higher speed of 22 km/h. Audi claims that this tech can reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

Technology is Everything here

One of the most advanced cabin designs, the interior of the Audi A6 is all-new. It’s a familiar architecture to the Q8 and the A7. It is Audi at its finest, a cabin crafted around what they refer to as end-to-end digitalisation. It’s an almost wholly digital experience with the two MMI touchscreen interfaces that behave very much like the latest smartphone you’re using to read this.

There is also a number of personalisation and shortcut options. Engaging with this tech is available through smartphone-type touch feedback, as well as through steering controls and voice command. A notable point here is that Audi has fitted their MMI Navigation Plus package as standard to the A6 range and this includes the Audi Virtual Cockpit, one of the most creative uses of the driver’s communication interfaces.

Driving Assistance systems include infra-red technology for safer driving at night as well as active cruise control and swerve assistance. The lighting technology is available in three options. LED headlights and rear lights are standard on A6 40 TDI, Matrix LED headlights and dynamic indicators are standard on A6 45 TDI and the HD Matrix LED technology with dynamically illuminating high beam is standard on the S6 TFSI. The Matrix LED and HD Matrix LED options are available as options at R26 800 and R36 000 respectively. The HD options offer smarter use of the automatically dimming function including adjusting for height, for example when passing under overhead road signs.

As part of Audi’s business strategy going forward, one of their key plans was to simplify the process of buying your Audi. In the past, customers were faced with the hard task of choosing from a huge range of options, some of which were almost always a requirement. This process also hiked the costs at times, quite significantly and Audi says this new method of packaged features will also give customers better value. On the A6, Audi has the Comfort package which includes 4-zone climate control, heated seats, comfort key and haptic touch feedback on the screens. The Sport Package throws in exterior S-Line equipment, ambient interior lighting, high-gloss trim and sport-suspension.

This said, the Audi A6 can be ordered tailored to your tastes and budget. The list of options is still quite long, with an array of exterior features and technology some of which haven’t even been mentioned here. 

The A6 and S6 Business Sedans are here and pricing is as follows. In case you’re wondering, Audi has confirmed that the RS6 Avant will arrive here in early 2021.  

Pricing:

Audi A6 40 TDI S tronic                         R 919,500

Audi A6 45 TDI quattro tiptronic            R1,100,000

Audi S6 TFSI quattro tiptronic               R1,401,500

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