New A6 Shows Its Face

This is the car that Audi hopes will hit its rivals for six! These are the first official pictures of the firm's shock new look for the A6, which makes its debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show before going on sale in the UK in June.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Dan Strong

18th February 2004

As with the current version, both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive quattro models will be available, but the newcomer promises to raise the bar for performance and luxury in the fiercely contested executive car class thanks to a new driver-oriented steel chassis and a diverse range of powerful diesel and petrol engines.

Measuring 4.92m long, 1.86m wide and 1.46m high, the A6 is bigger than the car it replaces. It takes design cues from both the recently launched A8 W12 and the Nuvolari concept re-vealed at last year's Geneva expo - in particular the controversial grille.

To emphasise the new car's sporting prowess, low-slung windows have been combined with a coup΃©-like roof-line, and there's an integral rear spoiler built into the boot. The fresh face also gets bi-xenon headlamps, which combine with adaptive light technology and help the driver to see around corners at night. There are also new daytime driving lights which Audi says are the most energy efficient in the world.

Inside, the cabin has been brought up to date with a revised dashboard and centre console reminiscent of the A8's. And flagship models come with a new four-spoke, multi- function steering wheel featuring a chrome hub that reflects the restyled radiator grille. The centre console houses an electronic parking brake and the control panel for Audi's easy-to-use MMI (multi-media interface), which allows drivers to scroll through the air-conditioning, sat-nav and radio controls. Unlike on the A8, however, the LCD screen that displays the information is mounted low in the dashboard, placing it in the driver's line of vision. Legroom for rear seat passengers has been improved - thanks to the new car's longer wheelbase - while luggage capacity remains competitive in the class at 546 litres.

Five engines will debut in the A6, and Audi says all of them set new standards in performance. There's a choice of two diesels: a 140bhp 2.0-litre TDI and 225bhp 3.0-litre TDI V6. Meanwhile, petrol buyers will be able to take their pick from a 177bhp 2.4 V6, a 255bhp 3.2 V6 FSI and a 335bhp 4.2-litre V8, which debuted in the potent S4.

All the units comply with Euro IV emissions regulations, and they can be mated to six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes. A new seven-speed Multitronic transmission, with steering wheel shift buttons, will also be offered.

Under the skin, the chassis offers conventional steel springs for entry-level cars and hi-tech air-suspension on flagship models. Other options include keyless go and dual stage airbags.

For those who want more space or sportier performance, both Avant estate and coup΃© versions are expected to be revealed later this year. Prices for the range have yet to be announced, but are tipped to carry a ΂£1,500 premium over equivalent outgoing models.