Review of the new Audi A6 Range

Great car as the last Audi A6 was, it was always that tiny notch behind its key rivals, especially in its latter years. With spangly new A3, A4 and A8 models all slotted into the Range, it was only a matter of time before the A6 was brought thoroughly up to date. Few expected it to look quite this up to date, however, the latest family-look front grille raising more than a few eyebrows. Still, behind the bluff front is a technological showcase.

When it debuted in 1997, the A6 represented a viable alternative to BMW and Mercedes, the curvaceous forms of its styling suddenly making the establishment look a little old hat. But whereas the E Class and the 5 Series developed beyond recognition in the intervening years, the A6 was updated with only the most modest revisions. Evolution not taking Audi where it wanted to be, it opted for revolution and the latest A6, whilst still retaining many signature styling cues, is a class apart from its predecessor. Prices start at £25,365.

The key styling feature is that prominent grille or, as Audi prefer to call it, the 'single frame'. Look beyond that and you'll notice the curvaceous flanks, topped and tailed by a sharp longitudinal crease line that forms a definite hip and the rising edge in the door sills that creates a great deal of tension and shadow in the A6's profile. The Ingolstadt company claims the world's tightest shut lines and the panel fit around the door is indeed superb, the 2.5mm apertures between the doors and body panels being astonishingly uniform. Gone are the days when the 'pound coin test' would separate the best from the rest when it comes to panel fit.

The design isn't all show however. The neat integrated tail spoiler helps cut rear lift to a mere 19kg at 155mph. This represents a quarter of the outgoing model's lift and the drag coefficient has been cut too from 0.31 to a slippery 0.28. Despite its slinky profile, the tale of the tape doesn't lie and the A6 is now comfortably the biggest car in its class, dwarfing rivals such as the Jaguar S-TYPE and the Lexus GS series. The overall length has swelled to 4,916mm, up a whole 121mm over the outgoing car. The boot is a whopping 546 litres in all saloon models (or there's an Avant estate option) which is not only bigger than the 5 Series and the E-Class but also manages to put this car's big brother, the A8, in the shade.

"Driver enjoyment is a key feature of the latest A6 line up"

There's a good deal of A8 in the A6's genetics. It too makes extensive use of aluminium to help trim the weight. The bonnet, front bumper, bootlid and firewall are all constructed in aluminium, although such are the volumes that Audi predict this car will sell in that an all-aluminium construction like the A8 would have proved too difficult to productionise. Despite being significantly larger than the old car, the weight of the 2.4-litre saloon has swelled by a mere 45kg to 1525kg.

Gone are the days when base specification A6 models were fitted with puny engines. This did Audi's image no good and the latest model only has two four-cylinder engines and they are a grunty 138bhp 2.0-litre TDi turbodiesel and a 168bhp 2.0-litre FSI Turbo. Other than that, the mainstream line up consists of V6 and V8 engines exclusively, opening with a 2.4-litre 177bhp V6. Next up are 180bhp 2.7-litre and 225bhp 3.0-litre TDi turbodiesels. These are followed by the 2.8 V6 FSI with 210bhp and a 3.2-litre V6 FSI engine that manages 255bhp. At the top of the conventional Range is a 350bhp 4.2-litre V8 FSI but those looking for the ultimate Audi executive wheels will need to take a further step up the ladder. The S6 features a version of the V10 from Lamborghini's Gallardo with a 5.2-litre capacity and 430bhp.

As before there are choices between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive Quattro variants plus the further option of the allroad model with raised ride height and various offroad appendages. Gearbox options extend to six speed manual, Tiptronic automatic and the Multitronic CVT. Quite why the twin clutch DSG gearbox used in the TT 3.2 sportscar doesn't get a look in remains to be seen but seems a serious omission. All models benefit from double wishbone front and multi link rear suspension, banishing the memory of the rather agricultural torsion beam rear axle that front-wheel drive A6 models have traditionally campaigned with.

Driver enjoyment is a key feature of the latest A6 line up and the car benefits from a quicker steering rack while retaining current suspension settings albeit with fifteen per cent more travel. Existing A6 drivers won't recognise the feel behind the wheel and they can be excused for not feeling instantly at home with the interior. Although much of the look and feel is reminiscent again of the A8, the dashboard features a binnacle and centre console that angles towards the driver and is quite unlike anything yet seen in an Audi. The quality of the cabin remains top notch but there's a little more style and colour contrast here, Audi finally recognising that the coal hole dark plastic look was just that little bit too nineties to cut it these days.

One encouraging sign is that Audi has put a stop to spiralling prices across Europe, effectively signalling a price freeze on the new model which sees the Range open just over £25,000. The big issue will be whether Audi's family face finds favour. Sales of the latest BMW 5 Series have been hurt by its controversial styling and Mercedes are currently making hay. Despite all their calm assurances of technical superiority, believe us, Audi will have their fingers crossed here.