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The Audi A6 is an upper mid-range model that the Volkswagen Group brand from Ingolstadt has been offering to the world since 1994. The Audi A6 is available as a four-door sedan and as a five-door station wagon model "Avant". The competitors of the upper-middle-class model are the Mercedes E-Class and the 5-series from BMW.
The model is offered in different versions with Quattro all-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, manual, dual-clutch, and automatic transmissions. The particularly powerful versions of the Audi A6 are available as the S6 (a sedan and a station wagon). The Audi A6 is also available with a hybrid drive for the first time.
Audi A6 C4 (1994 - 1997)
Audi introduced the first generation of the A6 in 1997, replacing the previous Audi 100 in the business car segment. Originally intended more as an Audi 100 facelift, the new A6 was available to the general public in two body styles: sedan and Avant.
The sedan model featured slight exterior changes compared to the previous Audi 100 model, such as revised front and rear lights and a redesigned radiator grille. Most diesel-engined A6 models would also benefit from the innovative 'Quattro' permanent four-wheel drive system. The model was discontinued in 1997 to make way for the second-generation C5 A6.
Audi A6 C5 (1997 - 2005)
The second generation of the Audi A6 was indeed the first real A6 and not a re-badged Audi 100 like its predecessor. Launched in 1997, it was a big leap from the previous generation.
The 1997 Audi A6 went through major changes. It was bigger and roomier inside. It still had a longitudinally mounted engine and was offered with front- or all-wheel drive. The car was surprisingly more comfortable than the Audi V8, which used to be the flagship of German car manufacturers. From the outside, the 1997 Audi A6 featured a rounded body with almost no flat surfaces.
The rounded front section with recessed headlights and curved surfaces corresponded to the design trend of the time. The roof was like a wide arch over the five-seat interior. Even the trunk lid curved over the back of the car, despite the aerodynamic reasons for making it flat and straight. The design was more important than this detail.
Inside the cabin, there was a spacious interior with spacious front seats. The middle seat didn't offer enough legroom in the rear due to the center tunnel. But despite its sloping rear, it offered enough shoulder and headroom. The car was offered with an onboard computer as an option for an integrated phone.
From a technical point of view, the 1997 A6 offered a wide range of diesel and gasoline engines, ranging from 1.8 to 4.2 liters. Depending on the versions, some were fitted with a 5-speed manual, while others were fitted with a 6-speed manual as standard. The 1997 model also offered a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.
2002 Facelift
The second generation of the Audi A6 was presented at the 1997 Geneva Motor Show and represented a major step forward over the previous model. In 2002, it also received a facelift that improved its looks and performance.
When the second generation of A6 was introduced, most of its engine versions were considered powerful enough for it. In just a few years, the Audi marketing department realized that some of them needed to be adjusted or replaced. After they collected all the data, the modification list was drawn up, and in 2002 the revised version came out with all the modifications made.
A facelift cannot be done without changes to the external appearance; otherwise, no one would notice. With this in mind, the 2002 A6 featured new headlights with clear lenses for the front and a new design for the taillights. A new set of 17-inch alloy wheels was introduced.
Inside, the 2002 A6 featured a revised interior. The introduction of in-door storage compartments conveyed a sense of American luxury, but it still needed a real pair of cupholders in the center console. Interior designers worked on improving the look using wooden trims on the dashboard and door panels.
For the powertrain, the 2002 Audi A6 changed its base engine. The initial 1.8-liter 20-valve (five per cylinder) was replaced with a healthier 2.0-liter engine. The base 1.9-litre TDI engine has also been revised in terms of diesel engines to offer more power. Another change was the 2.8-liter V6 engine, which was replaced by a 3.0-liter. The base versions were unavailable with the all-wheel drive system regardles of diesel and gas.
Audi A6 C6 (2004 - 2011)
In 2004, Audi introduced the third generation of its midsize sedan, the A6.
This was the major step forward in the company's design language that followed over the years. Audi struggled to find a good corporate image, and the 2004 A6 led the way.
Satoshi Wada, the designer who drew the lines for the third generation Audi A6, envisioned a large one-piece grille. It kind of looked like a trapezoidal shield with the larger side up. The shape was also ideal for a masculine body with larger shoulders.
The third generation A6 had the single-frame grille but crossed it with the license plate cross member. The curved roof followed the second generation of the A6 design. It was more of an evolution than a revolution for the Audi mid-size car.
Inside the vehicle, there was enough space for five adult passengers. The platform was only used for the A6 and helped to gain a large interior space despite the longitudinally installed engine. A newly developed infotainment unit was located on the dashboard, accessible via a rotary knob and a few buttons on the center console. This was the beginning of the Audi MMI (Multi Media Infotainment).
Under the hood, the A6 was offered with some economical diesel engines but also with some other powerful versions. In addition to the rocket monster V10 RS6, the top version was a 4.2-liter V8 engine. It was offered with manual or automatic transmission, with front or all-wheel drive.
2008 Facelift
The A6 was part of Audi's quest to be recognized as a premium European carmaker. Already in its 3rd generation, the premium mid-size car was a worthy competitor in the luxury sedan class. For 2008, the A6's visual appeal has been enhanced with the new-generation S-Line exterior trim package, which includes a new grille and bumper, a rear diffuser, and 18-inch alloy wheels, among other features.
To complete the sporty exterior, customers who wanted to add extra sportiness to the interior could add the S-Line interior package with sports seats and a 3-spoke steering wheel. Two versions were offered for 2008, a 3.2-liter V6 and a 4.2-liter V8, corresponding to trim levels 3.2 and 4.2, respectively.
Standard equipment on the 3.2 trim level included 18-inch alloys, an onboard computer, leather seats, interior wood trim, climate control, and a 10-speaker audio system. The Avant was equipped with a sunroof.
The top-of-the-line model, the 4.2, featured adaptive xenon headlights, a sunroof, heated front seats, upgraded leather interior and auto-dimming mirrors. A premium package was also available for the 3.2, which included most of the features found in the 4.2 trim.
Standalone options included 19-inch alloys, tuned suspension, parking assist with rear camera, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, voice recognition technology, and a navigation system.
As for safety, the new models are available with anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, and side airbags for front and rear seats. The facelifted A6 was tested for frontal and side impacts and received the best of its rating.
Audi A6 C7 (2011 - 2018)
Introduced in 2005, the Audi A6 was a strong competitor for the BMW or Mercedes models.
For 2011, the A6 got even more appealing with new flashy LED running lights and a trunk spoiler. The interior of the A6 was among the best in its class, both for the quality materials used and the technology it contained.
The A6 was a balanced combination of utility and great design. Available in two body styles, users could choose between a 4-door sedan and a wagon, also known as an Avant. The trim levels available were Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.
The Premium trim level featured a 3.2-liter or 3.0-liter engine. It included an extensive list of great features such as 17-inch wheels, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, heated mirrors, a sunroof, electrically adjustable 8 -Way seats with lumbar adjustment, partial leather upholstery, Bluetooth, and many others. Heated front seats also came with the 3.0-liter engine.
The Premium plus added larger alloys, rear parking sensors, LED running lights, driver memory functions, and self-adjusting xenon headlights. The top-of-the-line model, the Prestige trim, featured adaptive headlights, keyless ignition, a reversing camera that made parking easier, and a top-of-the-line Bose audio system. The optionally available S-Line exterior package gave the A6 a sportier appearance.
2014 Facelift
The 2014 version of the Audi A6 was more efficient and powerful, with an even more attractive exterior design. The mid-size luxury sedan climbed the ladder and was a direct competitor of the Bavarian automaker.
Exterior styling changes included new headlights and taillights, refreshed bumpers, and a more aggressive-looking grille. New paint colors have been added, and new alloys have been introduced with the new version. The engines have also been revised, as have some of the gearboxes. What hasn't changed that much is the interior. And for good reasons. The interior was beautifully designed, with remarkably high-quality materials enhancing the luxury.
While the engine options were quite numerous, 2014 featured a new 3.0-liter, turbocharged V6 engine that produced 310 hp and 325 lb.-ft of torque. With this power unit, the A6 could rocket to 100 km/h in around 5.2 seconds, which was quite a fast time among the mid-size sedans. Other engine options included a 220 hp 2.0-liter and a 240 hp 3.0-liter V6.
As for safety, anti-lock disc brakes and stability control were standard equipment. For the base trims, options such as front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, and blind spot warning systems were available and integrated into the top trims.
Audi A6 C8 (2018 - Present)
The midsize sedan reached its eighth generation in 2018 with the launch of the new A6.
The A6 is still a strong competitor for the Mercedes E-class and the BMW 5-series. The new A6 was offered in four trim levels: Premium, Sport, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The S6 represented the sportier version of the A6.
The premium model looked good even if it was at the base level, with Audi's specific aggressive front end and sporty rear end with nicely designed taillights. From the side, the A6 looked like a larger sedan. The base model also featured 18-inch alloy wheels. The immaculately finished interior featured nice and soft leather upholstery and it was a nice combination of sportiness and luxury.
Heated seats were offered as standard and offered great support and comfort for the driver and passengers. Plenty of space was offered, and the rear seats were adult-sized, with decent legroom and headroom for a comfortable long journey. The cargo area also offered plenty of space for luggage. The base version included a standard sunroof.
In terms of performance, the A6 was available with two engines: an entry-level 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged 252hp and the more powerful 3.0 6-cylinder supercharged 340hp. Both engines were mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The A6 would have reached 60 mph in around 6.7 seconds with the 2.0-liter engine and around 5.1 seconds with the supercharged engine. Even with the entry-level engine, the A6 offered enough power to make for a fun and comfortable ride.
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Tankut Basar
Tankut Basar is an ARA (American Rally Assoc.) Racing Driver and an FIA Bronze Category License Holder. His passion for driving began with karting like most racers. He started racing internationally at the age of 22. Tankut loves everything car-related and will keep enjoying the drive until the end.
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