Next-gen Audi A6 to get distinctive styling, more tech.
All-new fifth generation Audi A6 sedan unveil still some time away. Here’s a sneak peek.
Audi has begun developmental work on its next-gen A6 sedan. It is being jointly developed along with new versions of the A7 Sportback and A8 sedan. Internally known as C8, these three models will share the platform, driveline and chassis as well as electrical systems to keep costs in check. The facelifted Audi A6 Matrix was recently launched in the Indian market.
The next Audi A6 sedan’s exterior styling will lean heavily on the firms Prolouge concept car shown earlier. Audi says the essence of the current-gen A6, A7 and A8 can be found in the Prolouge concept’s design which can be traced into the production cars. The new A6 will continue to get the signature Audi hexagonal grille which will be wider than before. The headlights are likley to be more angular with distinctive LED graphics. The bonnet will be more heavily contoured and the roof will be flatter along with pronounced haunches over the wheel arches. The all-new A6’s rear styling will also mimic the concept and will come with distinctive OLED tail-lights, which will be previewed on the upcoming Audi e-tron Quattro concept that will be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2015.
On the insides, the dashboard will get an all-new design, on the same lines as the new Q7 SUV. It will come with the same touchscreen system and an enhanced touchpad interface featuring MMI functions that will be first seen on the next-gen Audi A8 sedan. As many as three high-defination monitors will be placed on the dashboard to support various functions. The instrument panel will be an advanced version of the screen seen recently on the new TT, R8 and the Q7 SUV. The third display will sit lower in the centre section of the dashboard which will help regulate multimedia and entertainment functions along with HVAC controls. The new A6 will also get a connectivity platform that will use WLAN in some international markets. This feature will allow live traffic updates for the navigation system as well as software updates.
Expected to have similar dimensions as the current-gen A6, the new car will have more interior space, thanks to its modular second-gen MLB platform. The wheelbase is expected to be longer along with even wider tracks and shorter overhangs. This will result in more boot capacity too. The new platform adopts a high percentage of hot-formed high-strength steel, aluminium and carbonfibre-reinforced plastic to cut weight.
Power for the volume-sellers will continue to come from an extended range of four-cylinder engines. These will be revised versions of today’s petrol and diesel fours and offer similar outputs to those used by the new A4. More luxurious petrol A6s sold internationally will use new 3.0-litre V6 and 4.0-litre V8 engines sourced from the Audi-Porsche ‘Kovomo’ engine joint venture, according to insiders. Audi also plans a new range of V6 and V8 diesels with electric turbocharging - a technology Audi will launch on its upcoming SQ7.
Courtesy : Autocar