By Rex Roy
Friday, Feb 25th, 2011 @ 12:00 pm

Enthusiasts often ride the teeter-totter of good technology vs. evil technology. One side recognizes the benefits afforded by advanced technologies, like all-weather grip with near physics-bending stability, as well as the ability to see through the gloom. Conversely, technology robs drivers of the need to be the best, most attentive and skillful pilots possible. Too distracted to stay in your lane or feeling intimidated about parallel parking? Don’t bother improving your driving, stay incapable and let the machine drive for you…

Enter the 2012 Audi A6. Its sets the teeter-totter rocking up and down pretty quickly.

Technology taketh over
For the rube driver, a fully-optioned 2012 Audi A6 will identify and track potential pedestrian road hazards in complete darkness, adjust speed in stop-and-go traffic, prevent over exuberant driving maneuvers and apply emergency brake force before hitting an major obstacle. Beyond that, the always-connected data stream and navigation system feed information to the full-LED headlight system so that the beams are aiming in the right direction when you enter a corner or road junction. Yes, it will also identify Starbucks locations using only voice commands.

Some shoppers in the mid-size near-luxury are wowed by the above. There are drivers who want a car to do nearly everything for them.

But enthusiasts want to know if the all-new A6 has soul … some deeper connection to fine driving Audis like the R8.

It does.

We drove the A6 in Sicily, an island crisscrossed with ribbons of asphalt tossed across mountains and valleys. No North American-spec A6s were available for this early driving opportunity; the A6 won’t go on sale here until September.

Our tester was a fully-optioned European-spec sedan with the supercharged and direct-injected 3.0-liter, the fast-shifting seven-speed Steptronic DCT and air suspension. Yes, a very nice ride.

The Cd of the all-new exterior is just 0.26. Compared to the previous A6, the 2012 edition is slightly shorter and lower in overall length and height, an unusual shrinkage in this era of ever-growing models. Width is up 0.7 inches. A three-inch stretch in wheelbase is the most significant dimensional alteration, a change made possible by the A6′s reengineered front differential and axle.

There are important differences between European and North American A6s. In Europe, Audi offers five powertrains including two diesels and three gas engines. We get two, the 2.0-liter gas turbo and the supercharged 3.0-liter. Respective power figures are 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque, and 310-ponies/325 lb-ft. The front-wheel-drive 2.0-liter four-cylinder is offered with a CVT, while all V-6 Quattro models get the new ZF-sourced eight-speed Tiptronic. Extra gears, overall lighter weight, plus reduced powertrain and driveline friction reduced fuel consumption compared to 2011 models. Audi rates the 2.0- and 3.0-liter US engines at 25/33/28 mpg city/highway/combined, and 19/28/22 mpg.

Other differences include the fact that we don’t get the air suspension. Given the system’s performance on the A8 and Q7 — and on the EU A6 we sampled — we’ll miss it.

Focusing on what we do get, the supercharged 3.0-liter is an impressive powertrain. Its robust and linear torque maxes out from 2900-4500 rpm, but the power plateau feels even wider. Unlike turbo engines, there’s no lag to the power delivery. Because of the diet Ingolstadt engineers adhered to during the development phase, the engine only has to move about 3,600 lbs., so the A6 feels pretty light on its feet.

A driver’s sedan
Diving quickly into tight corners, the A6 does understeer, but not the tire howling push that such a move elicits from less competent mid-size sedans. In terms of road feel, the A6 feels livelier than the new BMW 5-Series but not as tossable as BMW’s 3-Series. Over Sicily’s imperfect roads, the smoothness of the ride was closer to the 5er than the 3er. On even the steepest mountain descents, the substantial four-wheel discs proved up to the task.

These imperfect roads also enabled the A6′s hybrid aluminum and high-strength steel unitbody handle significant input stresses. The body felt impressively solid and allowed the suspension to smoothly soak up bumps. Certainly, the new A6′s extra three-inches in wheelbase helps here (most other exterior dimensions are similar to the outgoing model). We hope the steel-spring suspension proves as capable.

Road and wind noise are commendably suppressed. At half to full throttle, the V-6 sounded good. At lesser throttle openings, the cabin was free of any engine noise.

All of these driving characteristics are enjoyed in an all-new interior that is pure Audi. Materials and ergonomics are the quality we’ve come to expect from Ingolstadt. We particularly liked the real wood trim that was finished in a manner as to leave the grain touchable … as opposed to buried under layers of polymers (and therefore feeling like plastic, not like wood).

Like other Audis, most functions are controlled by the Multi Media Interface rotating wheel and buttons. The latest generation of MMI features a touchpad that enables character recognition so users can spell words with the stroke of a fingertip. This provides a faster way to enter NAV destinations or search iPod music databases.

Teched up
Thanks to Ford’s Sync and GM’s OnStar, enthusiasts have become accustomed to the idea that life behind the wheel can be better when the vehicle has a connection to an external source of information greater than what a vehicle itself can carry. Providing true always-on connectivity, the A6 will be available with its own cellular data plan.

So significant is the integration of piped-in information, that data coming from the cloud helps pre-aim the headlamps (around bends) and illuminates “junction” lights at intersections. The A6′s optional LED headlights not only react to steering wheel input but feature predictive aiming based on the navigation system and cloud-based data. The A6′s charging system is also impacted by incoming data that can inform the alternator of upcoming downhill grades; areas where a driver might coast, enabling economy-enhancing battery recharging (as opposed to the alternator running 100 percent of the time, as in most vehicles).

Of course, the data adds a depth of information to the A6′s sophisticated navigation system. Real-time data helps enable the layered display. The composite graphic begins with an animated map. Google Earth data is then integrated. Route instructions and current traffic information make up the top layer.

Additionally, the incoming data stream powers a WLAN hotspot that provides a WiFi signal for up to eight devices simultaneously.

Leftlane’s bottom line
With competition like the still fresh BMW 5-Series, Infiniti M and Mercedes-Benz E-Class plus the aging Lexus GS, the near-luxury mid-size sedan market is as competitive as any in the world. Manufacturers win with eye-catching styling, bleeding edge technology, and more than adequate performance.

The 2012 A6 has a check in every box, finally bringing life to the segment for Audi. Its shape is now in line with Audi’s corporate vision, as are its myriad features ranging from the truly functional to dynamic safety. Toss in a pair of efficient and modern engines for performance and Audi’s vision of rapidly growing global sales could soon be a reality.

2012 Audi A6 base price range, $45,000 to $60,000 (estimated).

Words and photos by Rex Roy.

  

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