Audi chooses technology and good looks for new A6

By Alexander Corne

GERMAN prestige brand, Audi, which starts selling its A4 models in Indonesia later this year, has unveiled a new, larger car, in Europe.

The new A6 is likely to go on sale in Indonesia late next year. It is a direct competitor to BMW's 5-Series and Mercedes- Benz's E-Class.

The entry A6 uses the turbocharged 110kW 1.8-liter five-valve four-cylinder engine found in sporty A4 models. The torquey 210Nm engine is frugal too, consuming just 6.6-liters per 100km on the freeway.

More popular engine choices will be V6, either a new 2.4-liter five-valve-per-cylinder or the existing 2.8-liter five-valve motor.

The new 2.4-liter V6 produces 121kW and 230Nm of torque, using 9.7l/100km on average across a range of driving conditions.

The premium A6 engine, the 2.8-liter five-valve, produces 142kW and 280Nm of torque.

These engines are expected to be offered in the smaller A4 range in due course.

Audi is also offering a range of highly advanced turbo diesel engines in Europe, though these are not expected to come to Indonesia.

Gearbox options include the four-speed dynamic-shift-program automatic gearbox as well as the A8-derived five-speed Tiptronic gearbox on quattro 2.8-liter V6 models.

The A6 is an advanced car, drawing on Audi's weight-saving expertise with the all aluminum A8 executive limousine.

Much of the weight saving is made in the suspension, which uses magnesium and aluminum extensively. The average overall weight saving is about 40kg between an old and new version of the A6, though some models which have four-cylinder engines are as much as 65kg lighter.

With less weight to carry, engines are more fuel efficient. They can also accelerate more quickly.

The styling of the A6 is its most noticeable change however.

Unlike BMW and Mercedes, which opted essentially for conservative styling -- the Benz four-eyes look aside -- Audi has made the A6 instantly recognizable.

This has been achieved by employing the latest "edge-design" look which offers flat sharp styling cues at the front and rear of the car, as well as severe cut lines to the doors and trunk.

The front-end styling continues the Audi family tradition while a deep steeply raked screen continues as a rising front roofline.

This then slopes gently rearwards from beyond the B pillar, stretching into the C pillar, itself ending close to the back of the car. This enhances the impression of a larger interior, minimizing the trunk and rear overhang. It tries to convince the eye the car is really a coupe.

The rear is the most interesting angle, with a soft continuous curve for the trunk lid which opens at bumper level. Oddly shaped angular tail lights fill the top of the rear wings.

Many of the technical lessons learned with the flagship A8 luxury sedan have been passed down to the A6, which uses the A8's aluminum front multilink suspension and an alloy hood, 36 percent lighter and 20 percent stiffer than that of the old A6.

Front and rear overhangs are shorter, while the wheelbase is 73mm longer and the track 14mm wider. There is far more interior space in every dimension and the trunk swallows 551 liters, up 41 liters.

Much of this extra capacity is due to engineering the rear suspension so the coil spring and shock absorber are separated and mounted on a subframe.

The A6 goes on sale in Europe soon, but exports to Asia will take a little longer while initial European demand, expected to be heavy, is satisfied.

The interior is an evolution of the old car, mingled with inspiration from the A8.

Three trim levels are offered in Europe, emphasizing sportiness, traditional comfort and more muted style.

Dual front air bags are backed up by front-side air bags, with rear-side air bags expected later.

Audi Germany is expected to add a five-door version of its smallest car, the A3, later this year.

The Frankfurt motor show in September is the most likely launchpad for Audi's next most-important new car. The A3 five- door will take the prestige brand into yet another new market niche.

Audi sold 50,000 A3 three-door hatches in the first six months of the models life, with 100,000 sales the target for this year. This makes it one of the most popular Audi models ever.

Next year, Audi Germany will launch the TT sports coupe and probably the TTS convertible, based on the A4 platform. This car will be mostly aimed at sales in the United States, though used as an image leader, it could be sold in limited volumes in export markets.