FIRSTDRIVE AUDI A6 2.0-LITRE TDI SE:Audi's new A6 is good enough to take on the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class head-on. But, PADDY COMYNasks, does this mean the end of the market for the smaller A4?
THE EXECUTIVE CAR market has changed quite dramatically since 2007. And not just because we have less money and access to credit.
When there was a change to the way VRT and road tax were charged on cars in the middle of 2008, it made some of the larger executive saloon cars much more affordable. But effectively it killed the segment below it.
Sales of the BMW 3 Series dropped by 80 per cent between 2007 and 2010 – 60 per cent in the case of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. However, sales of Audi’s A4 fell only 31 per cent. For the Irish buyer, the A4 remained their favourite Audi and it was their best-selling car in 2010.
The A6 has never managed to catch up with its key rivals from Germany, the 5 Series and the E-Class.
This is likely to change,but probably not this year or next. The all-new A6 arrives in Ireland in April which, by nature of our top-heavy registration system, means Audi’s rivals will have stolen a march on this newcomer.
Then again, these days Audi puts its eggs across many more baskets, enjoying considerable success with the A5 in both coupé and sportback guise and the new A7, which we recently named the bargain luxury car of the year. So what is the fate of the new A6?
The new car, in keeping with the flagship A8, isn’t a radical design. But we never expected it to be. Much like its rivals, Audi has played it reasonably safe with the styling of what is such an important model.
And Audi customers like their A6 classy but understated. It is an undoubtedly pretty car, but as is increasingly the case, you’ll need an extra second of cognition to realise which Audi is which.
But where there appears to have been a lot of Audi euro spent is on engineering and the interior. Inside the new A6, you are met with a simply remarkable cabin.
Audi’s smallest car, the A1, has impressive quality so by the time you get to A6, it has surpassed itself. It is almost certainly better put together than the BMW or Mercedes-Benz, with incredible fit and finish and a wealth of technology available, depending on budget.
While all A6s will be generously equipped, you will have the option to choose things such as in-car wi-fi, which works incredibly well, and sat-nav using Google Maps. It is, without question, the finest in-car sat-nav system we have seen or used.
Other new systems relate to safety, with Adaptive Cruise Control with StopGo now available, as well as active lane assist, which helps guide a car back between lanes if it strays, night vision, head up display and Audi pre sense, which in its most basic form is standard in the A6, but in its most advanced will slow down and brake the car in the event of an imminent collision.
The new car is up to 80kg lighter than the model it replaces thanks to the use of aluminium on 20 per cent of the structure. And under the bonnet, there will be a choice of three diesel engines and two petrol – 95 per cent of BMW’s 5 Series are now the 520d so we could assume that the same will be true of the A6.
The 2-litre is a 177hp unit and the most fuel-efficient engine. Combined with a six-speed manual transmission, it manages 4.9l/100km and, with emissions of 129g/km, it sits in tax band B.
Also available will be a 3-litre TDi with either 204 or 245bhp. At €50,700, the 204bhp 3.0 TDi V6 Multitronic looks like very good-value, especially since road tax will be just €156.
There will be 2.8-litre 204bhp and 3.0-litre 300bhp petrol models too, but with band E emissions these will most likely be ignored in our market.
The A6 has incredible manners. It is whisper quiet, even in the four-cylinder model. As we expected it is set up for comfort, although the new Drive Select system (as standard) allows you to change the throttle map, steering feel and gearbox response to suit your driving mood.
An S-Line model will give the car a lower stance and more sporty set-up and the truly sports minded will be able to equip the car with a special sports differential that distributes power between the rear wheels.
All Audi A6 models will get 17-inch alloy wheels, Audi Drive Select, Bluetooth, Dual Zone Climate Control and Milano leather as standard. Prices start at €42,500 for the 2-litre TDi SE – which pitches it above the BMW 520d SE at €41,750 or the Mercedes-Benz E200 CDi Classic at €41,035, although the Audi is better equipped than either of these at entry-level.
This model is certainly good enough to take on its main rivals, but perhaps, for this year at least, it simply arrives that bit too late. But for those who are keen it is worth the wait.
Factfile
Engine1,968cc 4-cylinder diesel putting out 177bhp @ 4,200rpm and 380Nm of torque @ 1,750-2,500rom
Max Speed228km/h
0-100km/h8.7 secs
L/100km (mpg)4.9 (57.6)
Emissions(motor tax) 129g/km (€156)
Price€42,500
On SaleFrom April