2012 Audi A6 Blends Athleticism and Elegance

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Images courtesy Audi

When Audi was preparing to release the seventh-generation A6 luxury sports sedan, it knew the marque was an improvement over the model it replaces.

How much better? Winning the International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) for 2012 AND the coveted red dot award honoring benchmarks in quality for starters, not to mention year-to-date sales increases topping 123 percent for the model.

Yeah, it’s that good.

Audi’s trophy case is filling nicely since introducing the 2012 A6 model last fall, placing an emphasis on athleticism and elegance. It competes with the BMW 5-Series and E-Class from Mercedes along with the new GS from Lexus.

The Audi A6 has gone to a composite construction concept, meaning body components are sourced from aluminum with high-tech steel utilized in the core structure. As a result, the new A6 is lighter yet more rigid and safe and all of which work to produce a more comfortable, refined, and dynamic driving experience.

For 2012, the A6 is offered in sedan, hybrid, and Avant wagon models in front- and all-wheel drive. Gasoline models are powered by a 2.0-liter turbo four or supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine. Our recent tester arrived in 3.0 TFSI quattro sedan dress.

Up front the new A6 greets the world with Audi’s signature trapezoidal grille and cat-like headlamps with very clean bodylines. Fit and finish is outstanding inside and out with Audi giving the new A6 a more driver-oriented cockpit.

The 2012 A6 models are also loaded to the gills with the latest in amenities and safety technology such as MMI navigation plus, active lane assist, park assist, night vision assistant, and Audi’s pre sense accident avoidance safety system.

Powering our test model A6 was the 310hp 3.0-liter V-6 generating 325 lb. ft. of torque and backed by new eight-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual shift mode and steering wheel mounted paddles. Fuel economy rolls in at a pleasant 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway and 0-60 mph time has dropped from 5.9 seconds on the predecessor to 5.3 seconds in the new car.

Power is distributed 40/60 front and rear respectively by the quattro permanent AWD system with self-locking center differential and torque vectoring for the maximum traction control. Drivers can take advantage of Audi’s drive select system allowing dynamic enhancement of suspension, steering, throttle, and transmission systems.

We were treated to the addition of the Sport package on our test version that saw 19-inch wheels and tires as well as sport suspension tuning added to the car along with the Prestige package adding quite a bit more technology inside and the S-Line trim outside.

Pricing for the 2012 A6 sedan with 3.0 TFSI engine begins at $49,900 with our extremely loaded tester coming in with a sticker of $61,530.

Judging by the improvements we experienced on this new A6, Audi is proving it is an automotive force to be reckoned with.

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About the Author

David Goodspeed
David was editor of AutoworldToday at Today Newspapers in the Dallas suburbs until its closing in 2009. He was also webmaster and photographer/videographer. He got started doing photography for the newspaper while working as a firefighter/paramedic in one of his towns, and began working for the newspaper group full-time in 1992. David entered automotive journalism in 1998 and became AutoworldToday editor in 2002. On the average, he drives some 100 new vehicles each year. He enjoys the great outdoors and as an avid fly fisherman, as is his spouse Tish. He especially enjoys nature photography and is inspired by the works of Ansel Adams.