Initial release
The fourth generation C7 series Audi A6 (internally designated Typ 4G) was leaked online in December 2010 and launched in early 2011 for the European market and in other markets soon after. It is heavily influenced by the Audi A8 (D4), pulling elements from its exterior details.[40][41] The A6 shares its interior, platform, and powertrain (Modular Longitudinal Platform) with the Audi A7 four door sedan, which had been released shortly before also in 2011. Design work began in 2006, with Jurgen Loffler's exterior design being chosen in 2008.[42]
The new A6 increased its wheelbase by nearly 3 in and its width by 2.7 in. The redesign also decreased the car's drag coefficient to 0.25.
European engine choices for the C7 include two petrol engines – a 2.8-litre FSI V6 with 204 hp and a 300 hp, 3.0-litre supercharged FSI engine – and two diesel engines – a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder and a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine in three states of tune.[43] The European A6 3.0 TFSI will have an optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and an air suspension option, two features that will not be available on the United States model.[44]
For North America, the Audi A6 3.0 TFSI quattro came with a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 putting out 310 PS and 325 lbft, the same engine carried over from the previous-generation A6 3.0 TFSI, but in a higher state of tune and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. There is also an Audi A6 2.0 TFSI quattro powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, the same engine in the Audi A4 and Q5, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.[45][46] For the United States but not the Canadian market, there will be an entry-level Audi A6 2.0 TFSI FrontTrak (front-wheel drive) with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, the same engine in the Audi A4 and Q5, but mated to the Multitronic CVT (continuous variable transmission).
The 2012 model year A6 features all the driver assistance systems from the A8, plus it adds automotive head-up display, active lane assist. Full LED headlamps with Automatic high beam switching or Audi adaptive light (Xenon) with variable headlight range control.
C7 facelift (2015–2018)
Audi unveiled the 2015 C7 mid-life facelift at the 2014 Paris Motor Show.[47] The refresh includes styling tweaks to the car's exterior, engine line-up, transmission and MMI infotainment system with faster Tegra 3 processor, Handwriting recognition, Audi connect Telematics with 4G mobile internet (and online updates for the navigation map), and advanced Matrix LED headlights.
All three TFSI 1.8tfsi and five TDI engines now meet the Euro 6 emission standard. The new TDI Ultra model now comes with glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) springs and both ultra models now come with S-Tronic (dual-clutch) transmission. The entry-level Audi A6 2.0 TFSI FrontTrak (front-wheel drive) with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, received a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that replaced the previous Multitronic CVT (continuously variable transmission).[45][46]
A6 hybrid (2012–2014)
A hybrid electric variant was also available for the first time in the A6, offering a 2-litre TFSI 211 PS engine combined with a 45 PS electric motor.[43] Electric power is supplied via a 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery, with electric-only range of 3 km for constant 60 kph drive and a top speed of 100 kph.[48]
The market launch of the A6 Hybrid was scheduled for 2012.[49] However, production of the US model was delayed.[50]
The Audi A6 hybrid was discontinued due to low sales in 2014 after roughly 4,000 units sold.[51]
A6 allroad quattro (2012–2018)
The 2013 A6 allroad Quattro was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, alongside the 2012 RS4 Avant. Sales began in 2012. The first UK deliveries arrived in July 2012.
The allroad variant contains several unique features. Audi designed more than 1,100 new, unique parts for the allroad, setting it apart from the standard A6 and making it a true all-terrain vehicle. Most obvious, the allroad received special bumpers and fender flares, giving it an aggressive offroad appearance. The bumpers and fender flares feature a tough-wearing, matte finish, contrasting the rest of the body. The roof received this same coating, as well as four longitudinal ribs for increased strength. The unique bumpers also have integrated aluminium skid plates. The allroad featured larger diameter tires than the standard A6 for improved offroad capabilities. Redesigned headlights, larger side mirrors, and a lack of door "rub strips" are unique to the allroad. The allroad comes standard with an adjustable air suspension system can lift the car high enough to provide 208 mm of ground clearance; a low-range mode (an option with manual transmission), absent from other quattro-equipped vehicles, can be selected with the touch of a button. When used together, the two systems made it possible for the allroad to complete an official Land Rover test-course, thus far it is the only car-based SUV that has been proven capable of doing so in testing.
Conversely, the air suspension can lower the vehicle down to only 142 mm above road level, and simultaneously stiffen the spring and damper rates to provide a sporty driving experience, much like that of the conventional A6 with the sports suspension.
It went on sale in early 2012.
A6 L (2012–2018)
The A6 L (built in China for the Chinese market as a long wheelbase alternative to the standard A6) was unveiled in 2012 in Guangzhou International Sports Arena. Early models include A6 L TFSI, A6 L 30 FSI, A6 L 35 FSI, A6 L 35 FSI quattro, A6 L 50 TFSI quattro.[54][55]
S6 (2012–2018)
Available as the S6 saloon and S6 Avant, they included twin-turbo V8 engine rated 420 PS at 5500–6400 rpm and 550 Nm at 1450–5250 rpm, recuperation and start-stop systems, cylinder deactivation, Active Noise Cancellation system, seven-speed S tronic transmission, quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with a self-locking centre differential and torque vectoring (optional sport differential), adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 10 mm, internally ventilated brake discs (optional carbon fibre-ceramic discs), matte black calipers with S6 logos, 8.5Jx19-inch cast aluminium wheels in a unique five parallel-spoke design (optional seven different 19- or 20-inch wheels (four from quattro GmbH), including 20-inch titanium-look wheels with a five-arm rotor design), 255/40-series tires, Audi drive select driving dynamics system, optional dynamic steering, single-frame grille with aluminium applications and chromed horizontal double bars, exterior mirrors feature aluminium-look housings, S6 sedan with spoiler on the trunk (S6 Avant has a roof spoiler), diffuser on the rear bumper in platinum gray with an aluminium-look offset edge, four elliptical chrome-tipped tailpipes, choice of eight body colours (including exclusive shades Estoril Blue, crystal effect and Prism Silver, crystal effect), body decorated with S6 and V8T badges, leather sport steering wheel with coloured stitching, footrest and pedals and soft keys of the MMI operating system in an aluminium-look finish, decorative inlays in matt brushed aluminium (optional carbon, fine grain ash natural brown, layered Beaufort oak), choice of 3 colours for headlining, instrument panel, carpet and seats (black, lunar silver and goa beige (only for the seat upholstery)); Pearl Nappa leather and Alcantara seat upholstery (optional Milano and Valcona leather), height-adjustable sport seats with power lumbar supports and embossed S logos (optional power-adjustable comfort seats with memory function, power-adjustable S sport seats with integrated head restraints).
Other options include xenon plus headlights with an all-weather light, LED rear lights, an electromechanical parking brake, driver information system with colour display, MMI radio plus includes a Bluetooth interface, Audi sound system with ten speakers,
A6L e-tron
The concept vehicle was unveiled in Auto China 2012 in Beijing.[59]
It is a plug-in hybrid version of A6 L with 2.0 TFSI 211 PS engine combined with a 95 PS electric motor. Electric power is supplied via a 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, with all-electric range of 80 km for constant 60 kph drive. Other features include MMI navigation plus developed in Audi Infotainment Tech Center (ITC) in Beijing.
The series production plug-in hybrid car will be available in China in 2016 on the long-wheelbase version, using the same hybrid vehicle powertrain like the concept vehicle. It has a power output of 180 kW, with 500 Nm of torque. All-electric range will be 50 km. Acceleration from 0–60 mph takes 8.4 seconds. Fuel consumption will be 2.2 L/100km.[60]
A6 Black Edition (2013–)
Available in Saloon and Avant bodies, the Black Edition is a version of the A6 S line with 177 PS 2.0-litre TDI or higher engines (excluding S6) in front-wheel-drive or Quattro all-wheel-drive configurations, for the UK market. It included 20-inch rotor-design alloy wheels with a dark titanium finish, black grille, number plate surrounds and window frame strips, and privacy glass extending from the B-pillar rearwards; black roof rails, Piano Black inlays, sports seats upholstered in black Valcona leather, black headlining, BOSE audio system with DAB radio, Audi Music Interface (AMI) for iPod connection.
Sales began in November 2012, with deliveries beginning in early 2013.[61][62]
RS6 Avant (2013–2018)
The RS6 Avant is a higher performance version of the S6 Avant, with power increased to 560 PS at 5700–6700 rpm and 700 Nm at 1750–5500 rpm. It features a cylinder on demand system that deactivates intake and exhaust valves of 4 cylinders (2, 3, 5 and 8), eight-speed tiptronic transmission with shortened shift times and D and S driving modes, quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring with self-locking centre differential with an elevated locking value and oil cooler, adaptive air suspension lowering body by 20 mm (optional tauter sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control), option is dynamic steering, four internally vented 390 mm diameter brake discs in wave design with a wave-like outer contour (optional 420 mm diameter carbon fibre-ceramic brake discs with anthracite gray calipers), black six-piston brake calipers (optional red brake calipers), electronic stabilization control with Sport and off modes, high-gloss 20-inch forged wheels in a seven twin-spoke design (optional 21-inch cast wheels in high-gloss silver, polished black or polished titanium-look), matte aluminium applications on the body, high-gloss black protective grille at the front of the car, the bumpers, the fender, sill flares and the large roof spoiler; rear diffuser with two large elliptical exhaust tailpipes, a choice of 9 body colours (including exclusive shade Daytona Gray matte), dial instruments feature black faces and white dials and red needles, flat-bottomed three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, illuminated entry sills, driver information system (DIS) sport RS logos, RS6-specific driver information system, footrest and pedals and switches in the MMI navigation plus terminal in aluminium finish, decorative bezel surrounding the retractable monitor in a piano finish, interior door openers in a delicate double-bar design, standard Carbon inlays (with six additional materials as options), standard black headlining (optional Silver or black Alcantara), RS sport seats with side bolsters and integrated head restraints and RS6 logos upholstered in black Alcantara and leather with diamond quilting at centre sections (optional honeycomb-quilted Valcona leather in either black or Moon Silver), optional power-adjustable deluxe seats with memory function, two sportily molded rear seats (optional three-person bench seat), xenon plus headlights, LED rear lights, a tire-pressure control system, illuminated entry sills, custom driver-information system, parking system plus, cruise control, three-zone automatic air conditioning, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and the 10-speaker Audi sound system.
Body styles
In some specific European markets (like France), facelift models (2016 and onwards) received a never before offered 1.8 TFSI (190 PS) petrol engine. Models paired with the 7-speed automatic S tronic gearbox have an "ultra" tag added at the end of their name.
A6L with 2.0 TFSI (180 PS) was sold as A6L TFSI in China.
In the US, Canada, UK A6 Saloon with 3.0 TFSI Quattro (310 PS) replaced the A6 3.0 TFSI Quattro (300 PS).
In the UK, A6 Avant with 3.0 TFSI Quattro (310 PS) replaced the A6 3.0 TFSI Quattro (300 PS).
Engines
For A6 3.0 TDI Quattro (245PS), the 580 N-m model replaced the 500 N-m model in the UK.
Transmissions
For A6 Saloon 3.0 TFSI Quattro (310 PS), 7-speed S-Tronic is used in the UK model, 8-speed Tiptronic is used in the US, Canada models.
A6 3.0 TDI quattro (313 PS) was sold as A6 3.0 BiTDI quattro in the UK.
Marketing
As part of the Audi A6 Avant launch in the UK, BBH London, Knucklehead, The Whitehouse, The Mill produced the 'Hummingbird' TV commercial, directed by Daniel Barber. The commercial premiered during the ITV1's coverage of the Rugby World Cup. The commercial was to imagine what a bird designed by Audi would look like and to reflect the car's ultra-lightweight technology. Johann Strauss's 'Open Road, Open Sky' was sung by legendary American baritone and automobile lover John Charles Thomas. In addition, 60 second and 30 versions of the ads were supported by press, print and radio campaigns, as well as a presence on the Daily Telegraph's iPad app.[67][68][69]
As part of the Audi A6 launch in Taiwan, 2011 Audi Fashion Festival featured the theme of 'A6- The sum of Progress', including Shiatzy Chen, Kiki Huang, Robyn Hung and an artistic jewelry brand, Chen Chan.[70]
As part of the 2013 Audi S6 sedan launch in the US market, 3 different versions of 'Prom' commercial were premiered during 2013 Super Bowl game.[71]
