• Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg: "The Audi A6 represents innovative technology and Audi's premium claim"
• New engines make the A6 family even more efficient and powerful
• New infotainment and assistance systems set standards

"With the new Audi A6, we are writing the next chapter in an excellent success story. It represents innovative technology and Audi's premium claim," says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member for Technical Development at AUDI AG.

"The Audi A6 sets new standards in many technical fields: the lightweight body contains many aluminium components, the powerful and highly efficient engines, the sporty chassis and the advanced assistance and multimedia systems."

Sharp lines, emphasised horizontals, athletically taut surfaces – the design of the A6 models epitomises 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. Audi optionally offers headlights with LED technology or Matrix LED technology, combined with dynamic turn signals.

Thanks to its intelligent composite construction concept, the body is extremely rigid and safe. Numerous components of aluminium and hot-shaped steel form the backbone of a systematic lightweight construction concept. The new A6 1.8 TFSI has a kerb weight (without driver) of just 1,535 kilograms. Vibrational comfort is excellent; cabin noise is extremely low.

The sinewy style of the exterior is echoed in the car's spacious interior. Every detail documents the uncompromising level of quality familiar to Audi drivers. Elegant colours and carefully selected materials emphasise the sophisticated atmosphere. The new Audi design selection, with interior colours Flint Grey (A6 models) and Salsa Red (S6), allow customers to make their cars as individual as they are.

The front seats are available with optional ventilation and massage functions; the controls are simple. The MMI radio operating system and deluxe automatic air conditioning are standard. The luggage compartment of the Audi A6 Avant offers 565-1,680 litres of space, and many practical features. An optional sensor-controlled automatic tailgate, combined with a power luggage compartment cover makes loading even easier.

The new A6 models are also way ahead of the competition when it comes to infotainment, with MMI navigation plus with MMI touch. The top-of-the-line navigation system with the power-retractable eight-inch monitor is now based on a new technology platform that uses the fast Tegra 30 graphics chip from Audi's partner Nvidia. Audi connect transfers data via the fast LTE standard and brings tailored online services into the car, including new media streaming apps.

The range of driver assistance systems is also extremely attractive, topped by adaptive cruise control with stop & go function. Audi side assist, which uses radar to check behind the car when changing lanes, works closely together with Audi active lane assist, which prevents unintended lane changes. The night vision assistant now includes even more functions, and the Audi pre sense basic safety system is standard. Important information can be called up via the optional head-up display.

Extensively updated: the engine lineup

The engine lineup for the new A6 and A6 Avant includes three TFSI units with output ranging between 140 kW and 245 kW and five TDI units ranging from 110 kW to 240 kW. All engines comply with the limits of the Euro 6 emission standard, and their CO2 emissions have been reduced by as much as 22 percent. At Audi, the most efficient petrol and diesel engines bear the "ultra" label. Combined with the all-new S tronic transmission, the 1.8 TFSI ultra consumes just 5.7 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, corresponding to 133 grams CO2 per kilometre. The 2.0 TDI ultra with 110 kW (achieves the extremely low consumption figure – with no restrictions with respect to equipment – of 4.2 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres corresponding to 109 grams CO2 per kilometre.

The top petrol engine, the 3.0 TFSI, has been comprehensively revised. The engine developers have also completely redesigned numerous aspects of the 3.0 TDI clean diesel, which is available with either 160 kW or 200 kW. The 3.0 TDI clean diesel biturbo produces 235 kW. Another version with 240 kW, which can be boosted briefly to 255 kW, powers the A6 3.0 TDI competition and A6 Avant 3.0 TDI competition special-edition models, with which Audi is celebrating the 25 years of TDI technology.

The high-performance diesel is paired with an eight-speed tiptronic. All other engine variants work together with the newly designed six-speed manual transmission that is particularly lightweight and low-friction, or a seven-speed S tronic. In the versions with front-wheel drive, a fully redeveloped dual-clutch transmission replaces the multitronic. In engine configurations starting at 200 kW, quattro permanent all-wheel drive can be supplemented with the sport differential, which actively distributes power between the rear wheels.

The chassis, with its sophisticated suspension, combines supreme comfort with sporty handling. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system is standard, and Audi offers a choice of two sport suspensions and adaptive air suspension as options. In the A6 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra with 140 kW, the springs are made of fibreglass-reinforced polymer (GFRP) – an Audi innovation that saves approximately 4.4 kilograms of weight, reduces fuel consumption and improves both driving precision and vibrational comfort. The wheels measure between 17 and 20 inches.

Sophisticated and masculine – the new Audi A6 allroad quattro

The new Audi A6 allroad quattro, which is based on the A6 Avant, features a raised body and stainless steel linings that encapsulate the underside of the front and rear ends. The design is robust and masculine, with vertical slats in the Singleframe grille. There are four 3.0-litre, V6 engines from which to choose – the 3.0 TFSI and three versions of the 3.0 TDI. The adaptive air suspension is standard.

Sportiness to the third power: the new S6, S6 Avant and RS 6 Avant

The new Audi S6 and the S6 Avant are sports cars that are perfect for everyday use. The 4.0 TFSI, a biturbo V8 producing 331 kW, accelerates the Sedan from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The S6 Avant completes the sprint in 4.6 seconds. Average fuel consumption is just 9.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the Sedan and 9.4 litres in the Avant, the equivalent of 214 and 219 grams CO2 per kilometre, respectively. This efficiency is due in large part to the cylinder on demand (COD) system, which only activates four of the eight cylinders when under light throttle load.

Standard equipment in the new Audi S6 and S6 Avant includes quattro permanent all-wheel drive and the adaptive air suspension, which lowers the body by 20 millimetres. Matt black brake calipers grip the front discs mounted behind the 19-inch wheels.

The dynamic top model of the new A6 family is the Audi RS 6 Avant. The high-performance sports car for everyday driving and recreation accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 305 km/h. Its 4.0 TFSI engine produces 412 kW, yet consumes on average just 9.6 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. The COD system is also largely responsible for this efficiency.

An eight-speed tiptronic transfers the power from the biturbo V8. The standard quattro drivetrain uses a centre differential with a higher locking rate. The RS adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 20 millimetres. Audi offers the taut RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) as an option. The large brake discs feature a weight-saving wave design, and the wheels measure 20 inches in diameter. 21-inch wheels are available as an option.

The new Audi A6 will arrive in Australia in March. The local model range, pricing and specification will be announced closer to launch.

– ENDS –

The Audi Group delivered approximately 1,575,500 cars of the Audi brand to customers in 2013. As one of the most successful models, the Audi A3 has been awarded the title of "World Car of the Year 2014" by an international jury of journalists (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 7.1 – 3.2; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 165 – 85). In 2013, the company reported revenue of €49.9 billion and an operating profit of €5.03 billion. The company operates globally in more than 100 markets and has production facilities in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Gyor (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium), Bratislava (Slovakia), Martorell (Spain), Kaluga (Russia), Aurangabad (India), Changchun (China) and Jakarta (Indonesia). Since the end of 2013, the brand with the Four Rings has also been producing cars in Foshan (China). In 2015, Audi will start production in São José dos Pinhais (Brazil), followed by San José Chiapa (Mexico) in 2016. Wholly owned subsidiaries of AUDI AG include quattro GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy), the sports motorcycle manufacturer. The company currently employs more than 73,500 people worldwide, of which more than 52,500 in Germany. Total investment of around €22 billion is planned from 2014 to 2018 – primarily in new products and sustainable technologies. Audi is committed to its corporate responsibility and has anchored the principle of sustainability for its products and processes in its strategy. The long-term goal is CO2-neutral mobility.