Text by
Nic Phillips
The mid-luxury sedan market is a crowded space with just about every car being an adept competitor. So how does one set themselves apart against the likes of the BMW 5-series, Mercedes Benz E-class, Jaguar XF and Lexus GS?
Well one way is to build an all new car that with stunning looks, thoroughly modern powertrains, more technology than most any buyer knows how to use, legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive, and most importantly, execution that bests the rest in just about every possible way.
Audi has done just this with the 2012 A6.
At first glace it may seem as if this is a facelift of the bygone A6 but be assured it's not. The A6 is one of the last of Audi’s lineup to receive the new look for a brand that started with the insatiable R8 supercar and found its way to the A8, A4, and most recently the coupe-like A7 sedan.
Just about everything above and below the surface is new to the A6. It has lost weight and gained styling that should attract younger buyers without alienating the sedan’s quirky following.
Onlookers will have a hard time telling the difference between this new A6 and the much larger A8 and that is a good thing. This sedan looks Germanic, modern and rich.
While it appears larger than the previous model it is within an inch in every exterior dimension. What is different is the wheelbase which has grown three inches giving the 2012 model a much more aggressive stance that contributes to its improved driving characteristics.
We only wish a fully panoramic sunroof were an option.
Our tester A6 came with the optional Innovation Package which includes a whole host of complex technologies not the least of which are full LED headlights. This is the next step beyond just the strips of white LEDs Audi invented that you see copied on so many other cars today.
These eliminate any sort of “head lamp” with HID bulbs and instead uses an array of high-power LEDs for both the high and low beams. Not only do they look amazing they do a fantastic job at lighting the road ahead and to the side.
As concern for fuel economy rises, albeit not quite at the same rate as price at the pump, Audi has played an interesting card by introducing the A6 with the only 4-cylinder engine in the class.
That’s right, a 2.0L Turbocharged 4 replaces last year’s 3.2L V6 and while power is down from 258 horsepower to 211hp, torque is up from 243 foot pounds to 258 foot pounds.
That torque combined with expanded use of aluminum in the new sedan saves 176 pounds to maintain a sporting feel while delivering best in class mileage at 25/33 mpg.
Our test car was the more potent option in the form of a supercharged 3.0L V6. Audi refers to any “blown” engine with a confusing “T” for “turbocharged” label, so despite this being called a “3.0T”, the SUPERCHARGED badge on the fenders does what it can to clear things up for those you’re pasting.
Right now there is no V8 offered but expect to see one added to the lineup as a performance model in the future.
While supercharging and turbocharging are not the same when it comes to how they work they do have the same end result — more power, more efficiently from less engine. The 3.0”T” is a winner in this case delivering a robust 310hp with 325 foot pounds of torque.
That is down 40hp on the former range-topping 4.2L V8 but the torque is equal and highway economy is up 18 percent to 28 mpg.
The all new 8-speed automatic contributes to this performance and we must say it is the best of the 8-speed autos on the market today.
Audi has been the leader when it comes to interiors for while now and has only raised the bar in its latest models with the new A6 benefiting from that. Larger wood accents and a stately flowing dash make for a package that is gorgeous.
One gets the sense that the screws have been tightened just that little bit extra.
The cabin has a roomy feel about it both front and rear and while comparable in cubic volume to its main rivals, the A6 generally has slightly more rear seat legroom.
Eight-way power leather seats with 4-way lumbar controls are standard across all models. Fully heated seats and steering wheel are standard on the 3.0T models and are a highly recommended $450 option on the 2.0T.
The “3.0 Prestige” trim level comes with active ventilation but it left us disappointed as one of the least effective backside chillers we have experienced lately.
We applaud Audi for keeping full climate controls in the center control stack rather than rolling them into some sort of computer screen system, but they are located under the in-dash CD drive which makes them low on the console. They can be difficult see.
Three-zone automatic climate control is standard and the “3.0 Prestige” divides the cabin into a four-zone system for optimum comfort.
When the car is outfitted with heated seats, the love is shared with the rear seats also.
A variety of audio systems is available from a standard system, to a Bose Premium to the range-topping Bang & Olufsen system complete with motorized tweeters that retract into the dash when the vehicle is switched off.
Even with its “acoustic lens technology” we have not been impressed by the B&O systems in any of the Audis especially at its $5,900 price tag.
In addition to the all LED headlights, the Innovation Package includes night vision assist which can detect objects with a heat signature up to 300-feet away. The video image is displayed on a full color screen between the gauges.
The system will detect pedestrians and highlight them, but we recommended you merely glance at rather than drive by this display for obvious reasons.
Audi calls its all-in-one car computer “Audi MMI” and it comes in several flavors depending on trim level. At the top of the range the system gets an optional cellular connection allowing it to interact with Google Maps and all the images and web-based information that can bring to the navigation system.
The screen is motorized and stows in the dash when not in use or when the vehicle is turned off. The center console also features a 6-disc CD changer, two SD-memory card slots for music file playback, and a sim card slot for that Google Maps connection from T-Mobile.
Also new is a multi-purpose touchpad on the center console for interacting with the system with finger gestures. Think back to your Palm Pilot days when you used “Graffiti” as an efficient way of entering text characters.
It is surprisingly good in the Audi and further supports our agreement that MMI is one of, if not the best, in-car computer system on the market.
Not only is it stylish, but the A6 is practical with the widest trunk opening in class. With its spring-loaded opening action it is also convenient to use.
The A6 will anticipate your turning into a corner and subtly bring up additional side-firing LEDs to widen the spread of the headlights even further. The best part is when you return the wheel to center those side LEDs gently fade out — another example of the level of detail Audi has gone for.
Radar cruise control and crash detection systems are also available and rather than just slow the vehicle the system can now bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
Another driver aid Audi has done right is a side assist system that goes to the next level. Most systems will tell you that a vehicle is in your blind spot or next to you but now this system will flash to warn you of a vehicle approaching that spot and then turn solid once the vehicle is actually in the danger zone.
While the A6 won’t automatically park itself it does have electronic smarts to help you find a space and then guide you into the space using visual prompts. It’s elegant and helpful.
So what is the A6 like to drive? Does it stand a chance against the BMW 5-series, the segment’s sporting leader?
Yes, and at the same time no.
No in that this A6 doesn’t have the sharpness or all out sports car feel the 5-series has consistently been refining over the generations. But yes in that the A6 delivers a better luxury ride and in the overall pursuit of the perfection in the balance between to two, the A6 has won.
A far greater number of sport loving 5-series owners will consider the A6 where they won’t have before, and Mercedes and Lexus owners will consider the A6 to be freshly exhilarating rather than something their grandmothers would be at home rolling around in.
Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard on the 3.0T and is better with a 40:60 bias toward the rear delivering a more rear-drive like experience.
Controlled through the MMI screen is “Audi drive select” with four drive modes: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual. Drivers can customize a few characteristics of the vehicle like steering response, throttle, and seat belt tensioners. We found ourselves preferring the individual mode so we could set the engine response to comfort yet keep the steering in sport.
With most every electronic steering system we have tested we come away wanting for more feedback and even in sport mode we could do with a starper feel from the A6.
Audi is continuing to master its identity and is really becoming an “it” car to have — Audi is cool. Sales for the brand are up across the board.
The A6 hasn't been a sales hit in the past. In 2010 when Audi sold a single A6, Mercedes sold seven E-class and BMW five 5-series. There is no question the 2012 A6 is a strong contender in the sea of established players.
The 2012 Audi A6 2.0T Premium starts at $42,575 including destination charges.
Our tester 3.0T Prestige started at $57,655, but with its $5,800 Innovation Package, $5,900 Bang & Olufsen audio, $1,500 19” Sport Package, and $450 Cold Weather Package, the price neared $72,000.
Dropping the B&O puts the 3.0T Prestige in the mid-60s making it a truly attractive buy.
Audi West Houston was one of the first dealers in Houston to get the new A6 and now has them in stock.
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