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Audi A6 spied

First shots of Audi’s next BMW 5-Series rival on test in Germany.

2011 Audi A6 spy shot front

By Tom Phillips

11th August 2010

Meet the new Audi A6. Spied out in the open for the very first time, these spy shots show the saloon version of the car that has a lot of catching up to do. Newer rivals like the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class have outclassed the current A6.

But that means the newcomer will be packed with even more groundbreaking tech to bring it right back into contention when it arrives next year.

Set to debut in the second half of 2011, the new A6 shares its underpinnings with the new A7. The chassis features 20 per cent aluminium to reduce weight, while the rest is made from steel to keep costs in check.

The chassis has been engineered to take Audi’s 4-, 6- and 8-cylinder engines, front- and quattro four-wheel drive and six-speed manual, seven-speed S Tronic and eight-speed automatic gearboxes. The A6 will also get the A7’s electric power steering which helps save fuel.

Engine choices are likely to begin with 2.0-litre petrol and TDI diesel units, while six-cylinder 2.8 FSI and 3.0-litre TFSI petrols and two versions of the 3.0-litre TDI will also be offered. Stop start systems are likely. An Avant estate, and S6 version and a hybrid will join the range later, while an 8-cylinder RS6 could make production.

Technology shared with the A7 includes sat nav with a touch pad input, a parking system which automatically parks the car in a bay or a parallel space, and an active lane keeping assistant.

For an alternative review of the latest Audi A6 visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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8 Comments

Why bother with the camouflage, Audi? We know what it will look like.

By gherkins123 on 11 August, 2010, 1:44pm

I agree fully! audi has lost it, ALL of them are starting to look the same. I was a big fan, but it is getting a bit ridiculous now. And the A6 has always been more of a four door coupe even before it became all the rage. So what, because of the A7 is the A6 gonna look the same just butt ugly like the A8?!

By danielbez on 12 August, 2010, 7:57am

It looks just like...

...the original curvy A6 from the late 90s - talk about evolution rather than revolution!

By BARNEYM1979 on 12 August, 2010, 8:51am

Is it really new?

I'm sure the oily bits are better but the shape is unmistakable. Not that it harmed sales last time around when the original Bangle-designed 5-series looked so awkward. 6 or 7 years on and the A6 looks a bit dull, though very smart, and the old 5-series looks sleeker than the 2010 version.

By spindler1955 on 12 August, 2010, 10:31am

It should be the best A6 ever!!! :)

By deviras on 12 August, 2010, 11:10am

Vorsprung durch tecnnik? oh please...

I wander if the vorsprung guys will have the balls to release this new paint/trim package... The other comments are right-nothing new under the sun, same old marshmallow look like the former TT, and same old-American style interior styling. I wrote deliberately styling since IMHO although Germany laid down the basics for academic design it only looks as styling. Old American inside.

By DragonWiz on 12 August, 2010, 11:31am

lmfao

Its still going to be a totally boring slab sided effort from audi to go with the rest of the boring range

By A1Jaguar on 20 October, 2010, 8:59pm

lmfao

BMW 5 series rival ha ha dont make me laugh, even skoda would p!55 on that effort

By A1Jaguar on 20 October, 2010, 9:03pm

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Pictures

2011 Audi A6 spy shot front
2011 Audi A6 spy shot front
2011 Audi A6 spy shot side
2011 Audi A6 spy shot rear
2011 Audi A6 spy shot rear
2011 Audi A6 spy shot rear

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