Is New A6 Finally Great To Drive?

We hit road in Audi’s cutting-edge, latest-generation exec to see if the 5 Series and E-Class should be worried.

- Steve Sutcliffe

IT’S hardly surprising to discover that the eighth-generation Audi A6 is also the most technically advanced, most efficient, the biggest and most dynamic to drive. According to the people who have created it, at least.

But the aspect that strikes you first is just how elegant it appears in the metal; how much impact it delivers visually in and among everyday traffic.So although Audi’s technical innovations include optional four-wheel steering, a range of new electronic driver assistance systems and even greater connectivity on the move, it’s the car’s sheer presence that dominates your initial impressions. 

However, the newcomer needs to offer more than just good looks. The A6 has some incredibly tough opposition to square upto in the form of the BMW 5 Serie sand Mercedes E-Class.

At launch, there are three engine choices, all equipped with what Audi describes as a “mild-hybrid” system, which allows the engines to coast at cruising speeds to enhance overall efficiency by at least five per cent.