The new Audi A6 just launched in South Africa makes you question whether, were it not for badge prestige, you really need the larger and more expensive A8.
Though it's smaller on the outside, because of its better packaging the A6 actually has slightly better interior room and boot space than the A8.
And it's just as plush inside as its pricier sibling. Audi's made an art of upmarket interiors and the new A6 takes it to a new level with its perfectly manicured finishes. It just reeks class.
The A6's media drive in the scenic settings of Plettenberg Bay and Knysna yesterday revealed no hidden surprises. It's all Audi: the comfy cruiseability, the tranquil cabin, the effortless power, all of which make for supreme long-distance machines. But the use of weight-saving aluminium comes to the fore in the corners, where the A6's large size is masked well in its sharp and nimble handling characteristics.
Because some 20% of its body is aluminium, the A6 weighs around 80kg less than its predecessor and around 15% less than steel-bodied rivals like the Mercedes E-class and BMW 5-Series.
Some of the A8's high-tech has filtered into the A6, most notably the Drive Select system, standard on all models, which modifies the accelerator response, the shift points of the automatic transmission and the power steering boost.
The driver can choose between four predefined modes: "comfort," "auto", "dynamic" and the fuel-saving "efficiency" setting, plus an "individual" mode which can be setup for personal preference.
MMI radio Plus with active speakers and a pop-up display is standard on all A6 models, as is cruise control and park distance control, while optional extras that can be ordered include satnav, head-up display, LED headlamps and adaptive cruise control, among others.
The A6 is immediately available in South Africa in 3-litre petrol and diesel V6 versions, with four cylinder 2-litre petrol and diesel models arriving in October. The powerful 273kW 4.2 TDi won't be offered but the A6 will later get a 3-litre twin turbodiesel wielding 230kW and 650Nm.
The faithful 3.0 TDI V6 single turbo engine is carried over from the old A6 is but is now available in two variants. Paired with an Stronic 7-speed transmission and quattro all wheel drive, the more powerful version produces outputs of 180kW and 500Nm, which is a slight 4kW increase on the outgoing engine while torque stays the same.
Audi claims a 0-100km/h sprint in just 6.1 seconds for the car and fuel consumption of just six litres per 100km.
A multitronic, two-wheel drive version is also available with a detuned version of the 3.0 TDI engine that makes 150kW and 400Nm, with a claimed consumption of just 5.2 litres.
CVT transmissions are often the subject of derision for their "rubber band" effect but there's none of that in the latest multitronic. It just calmly provides the right ratio at the right time, without pause or delay - and if you really prefer the "feel" of a regular gearbox you can change gears using the steering wheel paddle shifters.
The 3-litre petrol quattro version, known as the 3.0T FSI, employs a supercharger to produce figures of 220kW and 440Nm. Aided by a stop-start system (standard in all models), the petrol engine achieves an impressive 8.2 litre consumption figure, according to Audi.
PRICING:
A6 3.0 TDI multitronic - R520 500
A6 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic R - R645 000
A6 3.0T FSI quattro S tronic - R665 000
* See Star Motoring next Thursday for full details