Once again, Audi has set the benchmark for executive-class luxury sedans with the all-new 2012 A6 Sedan. Advanced technology, precision and sporty elegance: attributes that consumers have come to expect from Audi, and the all-new A6 Sedan exceeds every one of them.
From the outside, the 2012 A6 Sedan is at once a logical extension of the elegant, timeless A6 models that have come before, and an all-new approach to design. The A6 Sedan features a long engine hood with sleek styling, and a low greenhouse that you’d be more accustomed to seeing on a coupe than you would on a generous five-passenger luxury sedan. The A6’s design aesthetic is that of athletic tautness. You’ll sense it from every angle.
Proportionally, the 2012 A6 Sedan features a wheelbase that has grown significantly by 2.7 inches, while width has remained nearly the same, expanding just a half an inch from the 2011. The luggage compartment also grows for 2012, offering a significant 16 liter (.5 cubic foot) increase from 2011.
Exterior styling and proportions are part of the equation, but use of materials is a significant factor as well. The A6 is constructed with 20 percent aluminum content and utilizes a steel spaceframe which the aluminum body panels are affixed to, resulting in the strength of a steel occupant cabin, but the light weight of aluminum in the body. The process is a holistic approach to weight savings, and results in a 30kg (66 pound) weight reduction versus the 2011 model, which was already up to 176 pounds lighter than the generation before. While competitive models continue to add weight year after year, the A6 reverses the weight spiral again and again, resulting in a car that is more responsive, controlled and agile.
The “core model” for 2012 is the 3.0T quattro. The 3.0-liter, supercharged, TFSI® engine develops 310 hp and, as importantly, 325 lb/ft of torque, resulting in a zero to 60 time of 5.5 seconds, almost half a second faster than the 2011 A6 Sedan. FSI direct injection delivers fuel to individual cylinders, rather than an intake runner, building power and increasing efficiency simultaneously. Maximum torque – the power you need in situations like accelerating onto an expressway, or passing slow-moving truck – is available in a wide RPM range, making that power usable at any speed, and in any gear.
And gears the 2012 Audi A6 Sedan does have. The updated model features an eight-speed automatic Tiptronic® transmission that combines the convenience of an automatic with the sportiness of a manual, all while improving fuel efficiency by six percent. More power, better fuel economy. What a concept.
Audi is synonymous with quattro® permanent all-wheel drive. quattro is a mechanical all-wheel drive system based around a center, torque-sensing differential that adjusts power between the front and rear axles more than 100 times per second to maximize traction when and where it’s needed. Under normal driving conditions, quattro distributes power between each axle by sending 40 percent of the engine’s torque to the front wheels, and 60 percent to the rear wheels, which enhances driving dynamics and maintains optimum control. By continually assessing available grip, quattro ensures the best possible combination of traction and handling, regardless of the road condition.
For 2012, technology continues to make advances in the A6 sedan. The new model features available full LED headlamps, similar to those in the flagship A8 sedan, and the latest generation of Audi’s Driver Assistance System, featuring Audi pre sense plus (a comprehensive system that takes preventive measures to protect occupants), Audi side assist, Night vision assistant and Adaptive cruise control. The next generation Multi Media Interface (MMI) is the same system as found on the A8, and MMI Touch even recognizes handwriting. A new optional Head Up Display features a system of mirrors that projecting driving-related information into the driver’s field of vision, and Night vision assistant features pedestrian detection. In addition to the standard Audi sound system, buyers can select the Bang & Olufsen® Advanced Sound System with 1200 watts, and 15 speakers including a subwoofer and center speaker, covered in polished aluminum grilles. The optional 600 watt BOSE® Surround Sound system has 14 speakers, including a center speaker in the dash, and a subwoofer in the spare wheel well.
In total, the 2012 Audi A6 Sedan is a further step forward, providing technology, design and features that the world’s automakers will continue to mimic for years to come. Stop in today and learn how Audi’s “Truth in Engineering” tagline comes through in every one of its products.
