Exclusive preview of the new Audi A6 executive class saloon held in Dubai

The latest generation of the A6 is a saloon that is aiming for leadership in its segment through outstanding driving dynamics and high technology, superior comfort and a wide range of equipment. The car will be officially launched in the Middle East in October 2004.

Powerful petrol engines, as well as front-wheel or quattro permanent all-wheel drive set the foundation for the supremacy of the new A6 sports saloon. Benefiting from its highly developed suspension and very stiff bodyshell, the AudiA6 opens up a new dimension in driving dynamics.

The new Audi A6 makes a clear pledge to an outstanding role model: the Audi A8 already clearly lauded by the press and the public alike as the sportiest car in its class. And now, the A6 is setting out to leave its competitors behind, as the most progressive car in the executive class.

Right from the start in the design and configuration of its body measuring 4.92 metres in length, 1.86 metres in width, and 1.46 metres in height, the new Audi A6 visibly set new standards. The lines of the car combine that clear architecture so typical of Audi with key elements of the brand's progressive design.

The classic proportions of Audi's sports saloon with its low-slung row of windows and the coupé-like roofline is now elevated to a new level of excellence: the contours of the upward-curved shoulder lines and the powerful, sweeping motion of the dynamic line above the side sills give the entire body of the car a forward-moving, dynamic appearance. And the powerfully rising centre section on the engine compartment lid symbolises the performance and muscle of the new Audi A6.

Seen from the front, the trapezoidal single-frame radiator grille clearly characterises the A6 as a representative of Audi's latest model generation. The most advanced headlight technology, in turn, is to be admired behind the clear glass covers on the headlight unit: as an option the new A6 is the first Audi to come with adaptive light, reliably guiding the driver round bends on the road in combination with the high-power xenon plus headlight units.

Inside the new A6, you also see at first glance that this is a brand-new model generation. The high and wide centre console, for example, with controls and switches within perfect reach, emphasizes the sporting architecture of the interior integrating the driver as the central player.

Straightforward sporting character and perfect ergonomics - these are the features to be admired in the design of the cockpit. A joint cover connects the central instrument panel and the upper section of the centre console facing slightly towards the driver to form one common unit.

Within the newly designed, drop-shaped surrounds, you will find not only the two large rev counter and speedometer dials, but also the round dials for the coolant temperature and fuel level.

Audi's new generation of steering wheels is making its production debut in the new A6. A visible symbol of the three- and four-spoke steering wheels is the optical reference to the single-frame trapezoid with the four rings on the airbag cap in the middle. The oval outer geometry also offers a distinctive variation of the single-frame design.

Drivetrain
The new Audi A6 comes with a choice of three petrol engines fitted lengthwise. . All of these engines share a level of output and torque absolutely superior in their respective segment:

- New: 4.2 V8 - 246 kW (335 bhp), 420 Newton-metres
- New: 3,2 V6 - 188 kW (255 bhp), 330 Newton-metres
- New: 2.4 V6 - 130 kW (177 bhp), 230 Newton-metres

The six- and eight-cylinder power units come from Audi's new V-engine family. Their highlights in design and construction are the 90° cylinder angle and a distance of 90 millimetres between the cylinders, compact dimensions, maintenance-free camshaft drive via a chain and low-friction roller-arm valve drive.

Driving dynamics and driving comfort
Torsional stiffness up by more than 34 percent: progress of this kind over the bodyshell of the former model already lauded for its supreme stiffness clearly confirms the qualities of the new Audi A6.

These qualities are borne out in terms of both vibration comfort and driving dynamics. Vibration amplitudes reduced to a minimum, for example, are a clear indicator of the body's outstanding stiffness and solidity. And this is the decisive prerequisite in physical terms for excellent acoustics within the interior.

The superior stiffness of the steel body as such results from the consistent improvement and development of joining technologies as well as the optimisation of body and panel profiles.

The improvement of vibration behaviour achieved by optimising numerous features provides the foundation, in turn, for the harmonious but nevertheless sporting set-up of the suspension. Together with the direct, extremely stable connection of the steering column to the module crossbar, this specific configuration of the body ensures precise handling at all times.

Audi's dynamic suspension in the new A6 rests on sporting, proven technology: the upgraded four-link front suspension so typical of Audi and the self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension carried over from the Audi A8 - a combination featured on both the front-wheel-drive and quattro models.

This ensures a standard of driving behaviour living up to any comparison in terms of dynamic qualities, clearly leaving behind the competition when it comes to ease of handling and superior control.

It is precisely qualities of this kind that place the new A6 side-by-side with the A8, which was lauded unanimously by the motoring press. Indeed, the A6 is the sportiest car in its class, just like its "bigger brother" in the top luxury segment. Superiority of this kind is ensured also by speed-related servotronic power steering featured as standard, supplementing the precise handling of the new A6 by even more sensitive steering precision.

Equipment
Even in standard trim, the new Audi A6 sets a standard clearly above average even in the executive class. And this superiority is borne out at very first sight by the use of premium materials and the perfect quality of finish.

A feature quite unique compared with the competition is the Multi Media Interface "MMI basic" comprising not only the 6.5-inch monochrome display, but also an integrated radio with CD player and four loudspeakers. Another feature standard on all A6 models (but by no means to be taken for granted even in this class) is high-comfort automatic air conditioning with enhanced output and optimised acoustic control.

Further standard features on board the new A6 are the electromechanical parking brake as well as a light and rain sensor.

The safety equipment featured as standard in the new-generation A6 is equally impressive. Active safety, for example, benefits from the latest generation of ESP including brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution EBD.

In a collision the occupants are effectively protected by the robust structure of the body with its specific, pre-determined deformation and the highly stable passenger cell. Front and side airbags as well as the sideguard head airbag system, in turn, interacting with the seat belt, offer a high standard of safety and protection for both driver and passenger.

The two full-size front airbags are activated in two stages as a function of accident severity. Active head restraints at the front, in turn, help to protect the occupant in a collision from behind.