Tuesday, June 21, 2011

2012 Audi A6 Avant Specs Review and Price | Car News


2012 Audi A6  Powertrains: 2.0-liter turbo I4, 211 hp, 258 lb-ft; 3.0-liter supercharged V6, 310 hp, 325 lb-ft

Much of the body of the new Audi A6 consists of aluminum and high-tech steels, rendering it exceedingly light, stiff and safe. State-of-the art design methods and materials ensure extremely low interior noise levels. Precision tuning of all components and systematic hydraulic damping in the axle and drivetrain bearings provide excellent vibrational comfort.

The next-generation A6 will be built on Audi's modular-longitudinal platform. This means its front axle moves further to the front, and the nose-heavy look of the current C6 will disappear. The front end, in fact, will look a lot like the Sportback concept, which is essentially the upcoming A7, which is due to launch this summer and is closely related to the A6. The 2012 Audi A6 is a clean-sheet design. 2012 Audi A6 's supercharged 3.0-liter V6 will continue as the key motivator in the A6 lineup, but it's been tuned to deliver 10 additional horsepower for a total of 310.
The design of the new Audi A6 embodies athleticism and elegance. The sedan is 4.92 meters (16.14 ft) long and 1.87 meters (6.14 ft) wide, but just 1.46 meters (4.79 ft) high - sporty proportions that are unrivaled by the competition. The long engine hood, the low, sweeping roofline and the prominent lines on the flanks create a dynamic overall appearance. Optional LED headlights emphasize the striking expression at the front.

While the European Union gets a choice of five powertrains – including 2.0- and 3.0-liter diesels – the U.S. makes do with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the supercharged 3.0-liter TSFI V6. Respective power figures are 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet torque, and 310 hp and 325 lb-ft. The front-wheel-drive 2.0-liter model is offered with a Continuously Variable Transmission, while all Quattro and V6 models get the new ZF-sourced eight-speed Tiptronic. Naturally, fuel economy is up as well, with the 2.0T estimated at 25/33/28 mpg city/highway/combined, while the supercharged six manages a respectable 19/28/22 mpg.

The roomy interior of the new Audi A6 echoes the sinewy style of the exterior. The salient element is the "wrap-around" - an inlay encircling the driver and the front-seat passenger. The elegantly curved dash panel places the driver at the center of the interior.

For every A6 sold in 2010, Mercedes sold seven E-Series models and BMW moved five 5 Series sedans. 2012 Audi A6 Price: $45,000–$60,000.