The new A6 from Audi is quite a headturner, writes Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor
"Nice car . . . big grille" - that's how most conversations about the A6 begin. It's all about the grille. Regardless of the company you keep, the topic will always wind its way round to it: every commentary on the car must mention it at least twice.
It's enormous. Well, quite big anyway and the use of chrome to edge the look only adds to its imposing presence. It's certainly the sort of thing to fill a rearview mirror and subconsciously push other motorists into the inside lane with a clip across the back bumper. Stand aside little Corsa, I'm coming through.
There's no doubting the A6's head-turning ability. While it might not grab the attentions of boy racers, it nonetheless left the middle-aged suburban set staring open-mouthed.
It's a world apart from its rather tubby predecessor, the ugly duckling of the Audi line-up. For years it looked like an A8 with a weight problem, particularly at the rear. Now the duckling has turned into something of a swan. And it's all thanks to that great big barbecue grille on the front, and the more curvaceous styling of the lights and bonnet at the front.
Audi has opted to make its mid-range exec model more sporting and it's noticeable in the way they've reduced the glass content, particularly to the rear. This in no way impedes vision, but it's closer to the 2/3:1/3 metal to glass ratio common on full-blown race cars.
The 16-inch seven-arm wheels are slightly too small to fit in with the desired physical presence of the car, though the gorgeous A8 17-inch 16- spoke wheels will set you back over €2,500 and will compromise the ride, so think long and hard before taking the plunge in the name of styling.
Our test car was a 3-litre turbodiesel, a strong contender against the equivalent BMW engine - judged by many to be the best in class - if not quite as refined when cold. There's no doubting its pulling power and its take-off is quite potent, even if accompanied by a traditional diesel roar if running from cold. However, warm it up and the roar is indistinct from petrol. With foot to floor it's a throaty sound.
In fact, it offers more torque than even the 4.2-litre flagship engine and more outright power than the majority of its competitors, including the BMW.
So there's no questioning the engine, and we're attracted by the look - yes, again, that big grille - which should give BMW's controversial 5-Series a run for its money.
But there are some complaints against the A6 and most seem to reside in the way it is shod. Obviously it depends on the road surfaces, and Irish roads are not commonly covered in silky smooth tarmac. On the crusty M50 surface, for instance, tyre noise was very noticeable.
The handling is much better than on its predecessor, much more precise, even if the power steering is a little numb. You feel more comfortable throwing this big car into a corner at speed, confident you'll make it out the other side without having to pick shubbery from the side panels. Yet, on some bumpy roads travel in the suspension seems to get caught out and is slightly inconsistent.
Inside, the A6 features Audi's MMI control system, similar in use to the BMW iDrive only with more button controls. It's easy to use and the colour-coding on the screen adds to the executive feel. It also features the latest bluetooth system that hooks up with your phone automatically - provided it's got bluetooth capability. We first experienced this with Lexus and let's hope it makes its way onto most cars in the near future. It saves on fiddly earpieces and the risk of penalty points.
We recently discussed interiors with designers from another premium marque and the conclusion was generally that beige is best, both for giving the feeling of roominess and also evoking a more luxurious feel to the cabin. As to upkeep, the tip is simply use grey mats on the floor; no one will really notice. The A6 interior was beige and we'd have to concur with the experts. It looked positively plush.
However, the A6 has some interior faux pas. Not a big fan of the glut of cupholders that seem to feature in every car from the Fiat Panda up, nevertheless the A6 offers only one in the front. Furthermore, there's a distinct lack of storage space. The glovebox is taken up with the CD changer if you opt for one, and there are no pockets on the back of the rear seats.
All this is, however, compensated for by an enormous boot. At 546 litres, it should come with a free torch to see into its deepest recesses, where you'll undoubtedly find some wayward potholers or miners.
The space comes at a small price in terms of the design, and the A6 still has a rather generously proportioned rump that would entice many a bottom pincher. And with the high bootline, many may consider investing in the reversing sensors. Audi's version of sensors will set you back a further €597.
Audi Ireland has also opted to introduce km/h-only clocks on the cars, an expression of confidence in Government's ability to make the metric changeover at the end of the year.
So will it challenge the BMW 5-Series? Well, it's definitely leagues ahead of its predecessor and the gap has been dramatically closed. Reverse this into the parking space with the nose out and you're letting everyone know who's boss, or who wants to be.
The 5-Series probably pips it in terms of driver pleasure, but the A6 is cutting it a very close second, and with that massive boot and - again - that dominant grille, there's no doubt it will retain many of the current crop of A6 owners and may win over several conquest customers from the ranks of BMW owners who just can't stomach the new 5-Series design. It also makes the E-Class look ever more in need of a radical facelift.
FACTFILE
ENGINE: A 2,967cc V6 turbodiesel engine DOHC per cylinder bank offering 221 bhp @ 4,000 rpm and 450 Nm of torque between 1,400 to 3,250.
PERFORMANCE: A top speed limited to 150 mph and a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds.
SPECIFICATION: A relatively high spec includes six airbags; ABS; EBD; ASR; MMI infortainment system with radio/CD; air-con.
MPG: Urban: 23.5. Extra-urban: 43.4. Combined: 33.2
PRICE: €64,720 (€47,000 - €88,100).
THE COMPETITION
Audi A6 3.0 quattro tiptronic 6-speed: 2967cc; 7.3 (0-62); 150 max speed; 221 bhp; 33.2 mpg combined; €64,720.
BMW 530d: 2993cc; 7.1 (0-62); 151 max speed; 218 bhp; 36.2 mpg combined; €65,510.
Mercedes E320 CDi: 3222cc; 7.7 (0-62); 150 max speed; 204 bhp; 40.9 mpg combined; €68,200.
Saab 9-5 Vector 3.0 TiD: 2958cc; 8.9 (0-62); 133 max speed; 176 bhp; 38.7 mpg combined; €55,300.
Jaguar S-Type 2.7D V6 Luxury: 2401cc; 8.2 (0-62); 143 max speed; 206 bhp; 40.0 mpg combined; €45,465.