New Audi A6 Ready To Fight BMW 5-Series With A8 Looks And Tech

One of the main attractions at Audi’s stand in Geneva was the new A6 that will soon enter production and go on sale in different markets, including Europe, this June.

With a design that’s heavily inspired by the new A8, the 2019 A6 is described by Audi itself as having “taut surfaces, clear edges and striking lines”. Its styling would be best characterized as ‘safe’, and while some may not be able to distinguish it from the larger A8 unless both cars are side by side, that’s no bad thing for the A6.

The interior is very high tech: from the 10.1-inch MMI infotainment system to the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, both found in higher specs, to an 8.6-inch screen that waves goodbye to the traditional climate control buttons, the new A6 does away with convention and adopts what fighter jocks would call a “glass cockpit”.

As expected from an executive saloon that will soon be joined by an estate, aka Avant in Audi-speak, it also gets lots of leather and other high quality materials. The panoramic glass sunroof, ambient lighting packages, air quality package and premium stereo by Bang & Olufsen are optional extras, and front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions are available as well.

For now, Audi keeps the engine lineup as simple as possible in Europe by offering one petrol and one diesel unit. Both of them have 3.0 liters in displacement and make 340PS (335hp) and 286PS (282hp) respectively. Fuel consumption is reduced with a mild-hybrid system that comes with both engines, along with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The TFSI petrol unit has an average consumption of 6.7-7.1 l/100 km (42.2-39.8 mpg UK / 35.1-33.1 mpg US), and emits 151-161 g/km of CO2, while the TDI diesel returns 5.5-5.8 l/100 km (51.4-48.7 mpg UK / 42.8-40.6 mpg US) and emits 142-150 g/km of CO2.