Audi Malaysia has just taken the sheets off the updated Audi A6 sedan, now even more efficient, sporty and sophisticated than ever. Available in either an efficient 1.8 TFSI engine or a sporty 3.0 TFSI engine with quattro four-wheel drive, the A6 is now jam-packed with notable updates inside and out.
Sharp lines, emphasized horizontals, athletically taut surfaces – the design of the A6 portrays precision and sporty elegance. It was carefully honed as part of the model refresh, with changes made to the Singleframe grille, the headlights, air inlets, bumpers, side sills, rear lights and tailpipes.
The headlights of the new sedan have also been significantly updated. Besides featuring newly designed LED daytime running lights, the xenon plus units on the entry-level model and LED headlights on the higher-specced variant can now both be upgraded with Audi’s Matrix LED technology, combined with dynamic indicators. This Matrix LED technology makes use an array of 19 light-emitting diodes per headlight paired with four reflectors to produce a high-beam light that illuminated the road far ahead whilst avoiding dazzling other road users. Although Audi Malaysia didn’t reveal the price for this optional upgrade, we can pretty much assume that it’s not going to be cheap! (A source at Audi said it would cost less than RM10k for the Matrix LED upgrade – Ed.)
The improvements of the new Audi A6 go more than skin deep. According to the automaker, the body of the updated A6 is extremely rigid and safe, thanks to its intelligent composite construction concept. Numerous components of aluminum and hot-shaped steel form the backbone of a systematic lightweight construction concept. The new A6 1.8 TFSI has a curb weight (without driver) of just 1,535 kilograms. To make it a little more comparative, that is around the same weight as a BMW 3-series.
It goes without saying that Audi are also way ahead of the competition when it comes to infotainment, and the updated A6 is no different. For instance, the updated Audi A6 1.8 TFSI comes with the standard MMI radio plus, which features an electronically retractable 6.5-inch screen and the Audi sound system 6-channel amplifier with 10 speakers.
The MMI navigation plus with MMI touch system on the new Audi A6 3.0 TFSI quattro however, features the latest generation of the modular infotainment system on an 8-inch screen along with a Bose surround sound 12-channel amplifier with 14 loudspeakers. Additionally, the new Audi connect functionality with Google Earth and Wi-Fi Hotspot, enables on-the-go owners to link this sedan to the internet via a SIM card to enjoy LTE high-speed data transmission standards, the best supplement for the MMI navigation plus system.
The updated system on the sedan features a new graphic processor from Audi’s partner, Nvidia and touchpad control which oversees the management of all online, media, voice control, navigation and telephone features. The MMI touch feature further enhances the ergonomics of the MMI system by adding touchpad functionality that enables anyone seated in front to directly input characters, prompting the system to suggest destinations, just like Google search.
At launch, there are two engines to choose from. The entry-level 1.8 TFSI engine, mated with 7-speed S-Tronic transmission, is capable of churning out 190hp and 320Nm of torque. Despite its unassuming engine capacity, this sedan is now able to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 7.9 seconds (a full 0.4 seconds faster than its 2-litre engine predecessor) with a top speed of 233km/h. The 1.8 TFSI engine consumes just 5.7 litres of fuel per 100km, corresponding to 133 grams CO2 per km (214 g/mi).
The updated flagship of the A6 range in Malaysia sees an improved supercharged 3.0 TFSI V6 engine paired once again with 7-speed S-Tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system. This dynamic combination allows the A6 to produce a whopping 333hp and bum-clenching 440Nm of torque, enabling it to make the century sprint in 5.1 seconds, continuing all the way to an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h. Despite its exhilarating performance, the A6 3.0 TFSI quattro is still highly fuel-efficient, with a combined fuel consumption rating of 7.4-litres/100km and a CO2 emission of just 172g/km.
In terms of safety, buyers will be able to find numerous safety features which include the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (ASR), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), parking aid plus with selective display, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and a total of 6 airbags for the 1.8 TFSI, while the 3.0 TFSI variant gets 8 airbags as standard.
Available in 13 colour choices, the updated Audi A6 is now available for booking at all authorised Audi dealerships from 25th August onward. The A6 1.8 TFSI retails from RM324,900, whilst the new Audi A6 3.0 TFSI quattro will arrive in the near future with an estimated price of below RM500,000.
