Audi A6

The Audi A6 is an executive car marketed by the German automaker Audi AG, now in its fourth generation. As the successor to the Audi 100, the Audi A6 is manufactured in Neckarsulm, Germany – and is available in saloon, and wagon configurations, the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant.

All generations of the Audi A6 have offered either front-wheel drive or Torsen-based four-wheel drive – marketed by Audi as their Quattro system. Second- and third- generation Audi A6 models have shared their platform with the company's Allroad models.

Audi A6

C4 (Typ 4A, 1994–1997)
Audi's mid-size car was previously named the Audi 100 (or Audi 5000 in the United States), and was released in three successive generations (Audi C1, Audi C2 and Audi C3). In 1994, the latest generation (C4) of the Audi 100 was facelifted and re-badged as the Audi A6, to fit in with Audi's new alphanumeric nomenclature (as the full-size A8 had just been introduced). The exterior was changed only slightly from the "C4" Audi 100 – new front and rear lights, new radiator grille, similarly with chassis and engine and transmission choices. The United Kingdom was the first market to receive the Audi A6, as stock of right-hand-drive Audi 100s had run out before expected, and before the rest of mainland Europe.

C5 (Typ 4B, 1997–2004)
In late 1997, the introduction of a new Audi A6 (Typ 4B), based on a new design automobile platform – the Volkswagen Group C5 platform, with a new range of internal combustion engines was announced. This new Audi A6 moved up a notch in quality, and was marketed in the same categories as the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Italian-redesigned body presented a modern design, with a fastback styling which set the trend for the Audi lineup, and gave the relatively large saloon an aerodynamic shell with a low coefficient of drag of 0.28.

Audi A6 interior

C6 (Typ 4F, 2004–2011)
The new C6-generation Audi A6 was released in 2004. Designed by Walter de'Silva, the new model is visually an evolution of the C5, but is lengthened to 4,927 millimetres (194.0 in), and incorporates the new Audi trademark "single-frame grille". Like other contemporary Audis, the Audi A6 has a "tornado line" that runs just below the sheetmetal's shoulders and joins the front and rear light clusters.

The C6 iteration of the Audi A6 features more sophisticated technology. Most notable is the Multi Media Interface (MMI), which is a system controlling in-car entertainment, satellite navigation, climate control, car settings such as suspension configuration and optional electronic accessories through a central screen interface. This has the advantage of minimising the wealth of buttons normally found on a dashboard by replacing them with controls which operate multiple devices using the integrated display.

C7 (Typ 4G, 2011)
The next-generation Audi A6 (internally designated Typ 4G) was launched in early 2011 for the European market and in North America and India soon after. It is heavily influenced by the Audi A7, pulling elements from both its interior and exterior details.

The new Audi A6 increased its wheelbase by nearly 3 inches (76 mm) and its width by 0.7 inches (18 mm). The redesign also decreased the car's drag coefficient to 0.26 Cd.

European engine choices for the 2011 Audi A6 include two petrol engines – a 2.8-litre FSI V6 with 204 horsepower (152 kW) and a 300 horsepower (224 kW), 3/0-litre supercharged FSI engine – and three diesel engines – a 2-litre inline four-cylinder and a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine in three states of tune.

Audi A6 photos