Audi A6 Quattro 2012 Review

HUGE news in 1972 was that the all-new Holden HQ had ground-breaking coil springs and flow-through ventilation. Things moved much slower back then. Peugeot had the same features a decade earlier, yet Holden's inclusions were considered a marvel akin to time travel. Advances today are done with microscopic electronic widgets and wires - or, in increasing instances, without wires - hardly able to be seen with the human eye.

Audi has just launched its premium A6 with standard stuff that would freak out most mid-aged electronics engineers. The mind-boggling starts with touch-pad controls with numeral recognition, a voice recognition system and a sat-nav operated by the touch pad. It also has coil springs and flow-through ventilation.

VALUE

You have to expect the $116,500 price tag of the latest Audi A6. The car is lavish in its appointments yet there's a blanket of restraint that gives it understated elegance. Quality is paramount, as is the fluidity of the drivetrain that ensures limousine performance. All Aussie A6s get S-Line equipment and kit includes a 14-speaker Bose audio, walnut dash inlays and sunroof. It compares very well with its rivals.

DESIGN

Kinda l ike an A4, but 200mm longer. Only the abrupt and in-ya-face grille stops the A6 from becoming invisible on the road, for it's lines are uncluttered and its proportions are close to perfect. The austere black-lined cabin is saved only by assorted alloy-look trim and matte walnut inlays but despite its simplicity, manages to carry a lot of style cred and also works a treat.

TECHNOLOGY

A lot of its highlights are expected from Audi. Energy recuperation from the brakes is used to top up the battery  and help the stop-start system. The A6 is partly aluminium, cutting weight 15 per cent on its predecessor and now making it only 30kg heavier than an equivalent A4. There's all-wheel drive under Audi's ``quattro'' tag, the perennial 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel - now with 180kW/500Nm for a 0-100km/h cracker of 6.1 seconds - and a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

SAFETY

A full suite of electronics to help keep the car on the road and avoid accidents, eight airbags, a five-star crash rating and an unerring  ability to feel so confident, solid and safe on the road. The all-wheel drive is also a big plus, as is the stability when cornering, though a full-size spare would be appreciated. Yes, one will fit.

DRIVING

Put 500Nm of low-end diesel torque in any car and you're in for a blast. The A6 doesn't disappoint - though it's not up to the BMW 535d's explosive kick - with so much on tap it keeps the seven cogs in the dual-clutch box quite busy. There is some lag - a combination of catching the turbo before it's up to speed while trying to wake a dozing dual-clutch box - that produces some awkward moments. If you want brisk motoring and avoid such odd moments of embarrassment, use the gearbox's manual mode via the paddle shifts. Ride comfort is superb (air suspension is available but probably not worth it) and the multi-link suspension front and back works hard to cleverly hide the nose-heavy character. Much like Porsche sweated over defying physics with the rear-mounted engine in the 911.

AUDI A6 3.0 TDI

Price: $116,500
Warranty: 3 years, unlimited km
Resale: 56%
Service interval: 15,000km or 12 months
Economy: 6.0 l/100km; 158g/km CO2
Safety equipment: 8 airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC
Crash rating: 5 star
Engine: 180kW/500Nm 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Body: 4-door, 5 seats
Dimensions: 4915 (L); 1874mm (W); 1455mm (H); 2912mm (WB)
Weight: 1720kg
Tyres: size 245/45R18, space-saver spare.