For generations, the Audi A6 has developed humbly with reserved design, strong efficiency and sensible know-how. Now in its sixth technology, the 2019 Audi A6 nonetheless flies beneath the radar however packs little spark of pizzazz. When I strategy the darkish, unassuming sedan, its headlamps and taillights spring to life with an animated illumination dance, like a high-tech German Knight Rider.This delicate show of lighting know-how is your first trace that the remainder of the A6 is bursting at its tailor-made seams with tech, from the dashboard to the engine bay to the onboard security methods.3.0T Quattro energyAudi has additionally modified its naming conference for this technology. The easy displacement-based designations like “2.0T” or “3.0T Quattro” are out, changed by new 55 TFSI and 45 TFSI badges that let you know subsequent to nothing about what’s beneath the hood.

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The A6 55 TFSI is mechanically much like its platform mates, the full-size A8 L luxurious sedan and midsize A7 liftback. Which signifies that it is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that makes 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. That looks like an sufficient quantity of energy for a car of this measurement — not an amazing power, however definitely sufficient oomph to make quick work of interstate merges and stoplight launches.

You will not discover any surprises from the remainder of the powertrain: The A6 options the identical seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission, Quattro all-wheel drive and 48-volt mild-hybrid system as beforehand paired with the 3.0-liter turbo. The A6 feels a good bit extra responsive and dynamic than the bigger A8 when accelerating or altering path, which it ought to, contemplating the 485-pound distinction between the 2.

The A6 45 TFSI configuration steps right down to a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, in addition to a 12-volt model of the delicate hybrid system. The seven-speed gearbox and Quattro all-wheel drive are saved intact, although the 45 TFSI is a couple of second slower to 60 miles per hour — it takes 6.1 seconds versus the six-cylinder’s 5.1. The 45 does have a slight gasoline financial system benefit, nonetheless — 27 miles per gallon mixed versus 25 — and each engines are 1 or 2 mpg or two over final 12 months’s mannequin.
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The A6’s dealing with has been tuned for a light-weight contact. The steering wheel has a barely synthetic, remoted nature that — whereas nonetheless very responsive and exact — retains loads of the steering really feel to itself. Personally, I’d additionally like a bit extra audible dynamism. Even with its Drive Mode selector in its sportiest mode, I struggled to listen to the engine word. That mentioned, I loved piloting the A6 over the course of per week — particularly as soon as I’d settled right into a extra relaxed driving model — and reckon many premium/luxurious drivers will admire the quiet efficiency and cozy, managed trip.For the remainder of us, properly, we’ll have to attend for a flip within the 2020 Audi S6 or RS6 Avant. 😍 Buttoned-up designThe A6’s design is a little more vanilla than the A7, however most of its competitors — together with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan — are equally buttoned up, which is nice should you desire to fly beneath the radar. Helping the A6 stand aside are three totally different lighting configurations. Base Premium fashions characteristic static LED headlamps with auto excessive beams. Midtier Premium Plus A6 fashions step as much as flashier “Matrix-design” headlights and candy LED taillights with a sequential illumination animation whenever you strategy or go away the automotive. 
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Full-fat Prestige fashions characteristic HD Matrix headlamps which might be able to forming their beam round oncoming site visitors and round corners, permitting high-beam ranges of illumination with out dazzling different drivers. HD Matrix lights aren’t allowed on American roads simply but, so the tech has been software program restricted to traditional auto-high beam habits. But when the regulation modifications, Audi ought to have the ability to unlock the extra exact illumination by way of software program replace.Inside, the A6’s cabin is not as plain because it was once, however continues to be rocking a minimalist design. Some might name it sparsely appointed, however I feel Audi stylish communicates “luxury” by way of high-quality supplies and a reserved, high-tech aesthetic. This is kind of the alternative of, for instance, a loaded E-Class’ modern-baroque vibe with shiny surfaces, shiny chrome and eye-popping ambient lighting. Not higher, however totally different. Appealing to different tastes.MMI Touch Response techI would say that the Audi A6 does have a cabin know-how benefit over the E-Class. The Audi’s dashboard is dwelling to the most recent technology Audi MMI Touch Response infotainment {hardware} and software program suite.

MMI Touch Response begins with a 10.1-inch touchscreen show (or 8.8-inches within the base Premium trim) in the principle place, centered within the dashboard. Audi showcases its new software program with many telephone interface tropes together with a swipeable, icon-based principal menu, a quick-launching facet navigation bar with customizable shortcuts and a prime standing bar with fast settings. If you’ve got ever used an Apple or Android pill, tapping and swiping this software program will quickly develop into second nature.
Helping drivers to go eyes-free with the touchscreen is the automaker’s haptic contact response {hardware}, which supplies audible and tactile suggestions because the person’s finger passes over digital buttons on the display. To stop false faucets, haptic contact additionally requires you to bodily press on the display as a substitute of simply touching, giving bodily click on suggestions. It’s one thing it’s a must to really feel to actually perceive, however the digital interface rapidly begins to really feel like precise buttons, which I like.There’s no MMI controller knob for this technology. It’s been changed by an 8.6-inch secondary haptic-touch display that sits under the principle show. Here’s the place you may discover shortcuts for contacts, locations, and radio presets, fast entry to local weather controls and — when getting into a vacation spot or looking out — a keyboard or fingertip writing floor. To enhance precision faucets on this decrease display, the A6’s broad, flat shift lever serves double obligation as a wrist relaxation.Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are commonplace, do you have to determine to bypass Audi’s OEM software program and produce your personal tech, however neither know-how is suitable with Audi’s haptic suggestions, reverting to plain capacitive contact when in use.
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Upgraded Premium Plus and Prestige fashions characteristic a 3rd dashboard display: The 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit show sits forward of the steering wheel, serving as a extremely customizable digital instrument cluster. Virtual Cockpit can showcase reside maps, audio supply information and car/journey monitoring. It’s simply essentially the most versatile digital instrument cluster on the street immediately.Steering wheel controls enable straightforward thumb entry to contacts, radio and audio supply presets, favourite locations. Combined with very robust pure language voice management, Virtual Cockpit allowed me to carry out the most typical infotainment duties with out ever taking a hand off the steering wheel or my eyes off the street. However, the steering wheel button’s placement was a little bit of an ergonomic annoyance for me throughout my week with the A6, I saved hitting buttons with the pad of my palm after I cranked the wheel, skipping tracks or toggling the Virtual Cockpit view mid-turn.Pre Sense security techThe security tech within the A6 can be top-tier for this already prestigious class. The automaker’s Pre Sense Basic ahead collision warning is commonplace, together with commonplace Pre Sense City low-speed computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection. A full suite of superior driving aids is out there at higher trim ranges or as a part of the optionally available Driver Assistance Package. I’d prefer to see extra commonplace, however checking possibility containers is par for the course with German luxurious manufacturers.The Audi A6 is out there with the automaker’s adaptive cruise that works all the best way right down to stop-and-go speeds due to site visitors jam help, lane-keeping steering help, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change warnings and prolonged collision mitigation braking that covers flip help, intersection help and rear cross-traffic alerts.
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Price and competitionVolvo’s S60 springs to thoughts as a strong and cheaper competitor to the A6, particularly for individuals who benefit from the Swede’s minimalistic cabin. The current-generation BMW 5er additionally is not dangerous, however did not spark the identical pleasure in me because the others on this extremely aggressive class. However, I feel the 2019 Audi A6’s closest competitor is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It’s a superb nemesis that checks most of the identical containers and feels just like the A6’s equal, however with its personal distinctive aptitude and magnificence.The 2019 Audi A6 Premium 55 TFSI Quattro (why could not they simply name it a 3.0T?) begins at $59,895 together with a $995 vacation spot cost. Four-cylinder Premium 45 fashions begin at $55,095, whereas my examined Prestige 55 with Driver Assistance Package, bells and whistles suggestions the scales at just below $74,000 delivered. Interestingly, the A6 is about $9,000 much less throughout the board than the equally sized A7 liftback, making it a surprisingly good worth for these searching for the most effective deal on the most recent technology Audi tech.