The most powerful saloon ever? Thinking of buying a new BMW 5-series, or a Mercedes E-Class? You might want to keep that chequebook in your pocket when you see what Audi have unveiled. Stephen Williams reports

African Business, June, 2004 by Stephen Williams

There is no mistaking Audi's intentions--they're gunning for both the BMW-5series and the Mercedes E-Class with their new A6 saloon. And they're claiming that this new car is no less than "the most sporting business saloon" on the market.

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What is undeniable is that the new A6 model is a substantially bigger car than the old model it replaces and it is powered by the most powerful six-cylinder production saloon engines (either petrol or diesel) currently available from any marque.

This is the sixth generation of the A6 model. Larger in every dimension than the model it will replace, the A6 is now the biggest car in its class. Overall length is up by 121mm to 4916mm, while its width increases by 45mm and the wheelbase has been stretched 83mm to 2760mm.

The boot is also massive--at 546lt volume, larger than not only the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-series, but even its big brother, the A8. And perhaps that spells a problem for Audi, because while the A8 is more expensive and luxurious it is not immediately apparent that it is much more competent or compelling than the A6. It could be that A6 sales will eat into the A8's market share.

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The new car carries Audi's new trademark grille. That enormous, trapezoidal nose first saw the light of day on the Audi A8 car, but Walter de Silva's design team at Ingolstadt plan to make it a family affair. Each new Audi car launched will bear a similar single frame, chrome-rimmed grille inspired by the Auto Union racing cars of the 1930s.

Audi released photos of the new A6 last February, before it was revealed in the metal at last March's Geneva motor show. What the Geneva debut confirmed was that the A6 has a much more luxurious interior than the car it replaces, and it features a central console that, like much else, carries A8-inspired styling.

This first sighting at Geneva confirmed the impression the photos gave--the previous A6 model's prominent rounded rump has evolved into a taller, more conventional rear end, with the boot lid incorporating an integral spoiler.

That spoiler and other aerodynamic developments have resulted in lift force, at the rear, being reduced to just 19kg at top speeds, a quarter of the previous models. Drag co-efficient of 0.28cd is also a significant reduction over the old model's 0.31 cd.

Improvements to the new car's aerodynamics help mitigate the new A6's heavier curb-weight. The entry model 2.4lt V6 has put on a hefty 45kg against the old model--despite an aluminium front bumper, bonnet, bootlid and firewall. The basic structure, i.e. the chassis and most body panels, are all made of steel.

Audi are particularly proud of the new car's tight shutlines--that is, the space between the various body panels and doors. The company say that these shutlines are now reduced to just a 2.5mm tolerance--a build quality, they claim, that is the best in the world.

POWERTRAINS

A couple of V6 petrol engines, a V8 petrol and two diesel engines will be available at the launch of the saloon car--on sale in most world markets, including South Africa, later this year. Another 2.8-litre FSI V6 will join the range in 2005.

The 2.4lt and 3.2lt V6s, and 4.2lt V8 petrol engines--and 2lt four cylinder TDi and 3lt V6 Tdi diesel units--will be offered with six-speed manual gearboxes or the option of six-speed Tiptronic ZF or CVT Multitronic automatic transmissions.

The driving experience promises to be performance oriented yet as refined and luxurious as any car in its class. A lot of work has gone into improving the interior with increased shoulder width of 23mm. And Audi is to offer three different standard and six optional colours for the seats, with alloy or a choice of two wood finishes for cabin trim.

The instrument panel is distinctive. It sweeps in a gentle arc to face the driver, reminiscent of a 1980s-style BMW dashboard. The standard four-spoke steering wheel, which as an option can be ordered with additional multifunction controls, incorporates a central boss that echoes the shape of the new grille. An electromechanical handbrake and the Multi Media Instrumentation (MMI) electronic switchgear are both tried and tested components from the A8.

Active dynamic electronic systems, ESP and EBD, are standard equipment, as are front, rear and side airbags, active head restraints and light and rain sensors to activate headlights and wipers. Speed-sensitive Servotronic power steering is standard across the range, while adaptive cornering lights and a tyre pressure monitoring system are optional features.

To improve ride quality, Audi have increased suspension travel by 15%, while retaining spring and damper rates comparable to the old model. You can also order a sports suspension that lowers the ride height by 20mm. Next year, adaptive air suspension will join the options list.

THE FUTURE

There are plans for a A6 based short-wheel-base coupe to be launched in 2005, although the two-door would be sold as a model in its own right rather than as part of the A6 range--like the rival BMW 6-series (essentially a 5-series coupe) and Mercedes CLK. (an E-class coupe). And next year we can also anticipate the launch of a new A6 Avant estate car, and probably the four-wheel drive saloon model.