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

Audi A5

The Audi A5 is a coupé produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi since 2007. It is the coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback versions of the fourth generation (B8) Audi A4 saloon and estate models.

Audi A5

First generation
The Audi A5 marks Audi's return to the compact executive coupé market since the (B3/B4) Audi 80-based Coupe model ended production in 1996. The B6/B7 A4 spawned a convertible variant but not a coupé. For the fourth generation A4 (B8), Audi decided to spin off the cabriolet, along with a new coupé and five-door hatchback, into a nameplate of its own as the Audi A5.

The new Audi A5 and B8 A4 were based on the Audi MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which is planned to underpin the next generation A6 and A8. The platform is notable for its departure from Audi's trademark "overhung" engine mounting position over the front axle, in favour of the powertrain being located behind the front axle - in an effort to achieve a more even weight distribution (52:48) between the front and rear wheels.

The Audi A5 is the third coupe in Audi's line-up, next to the second-generation TT and the R8. The Audi A5 has adopted many design elements of the Nuvolari quattro concept. The Audi A5 debuted with the 3.2-litre FSI V6 engine delivering 265 PS (195 kW; 261 hp).

Audi A5

The updated vehicles, covering Audi A5 Coupe, Convertible, Sportback and S models, includes updated front and rear lights, as well as a new front bumper design. The new front end includes pronounced air inlets, revamped grilles and flat fog lights. The overall vehicle is 0.4 inches longer than predecessor. Sportback model includes 5-seat option. The updated vehicles were unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Sales began in Europe in 2011 as 2012 model year vehicles. Early models include Audi A5 1.8 TFSI, A5 2.0 TFSI, A5 3.0 TFSI, S5 3.0 TFSI, 2.0 TDI. The base model Audi A5 Sportback 1.8 TFSI was sold for €33,350.

Audi A5

S5 (2011-)
The Audi S5 Coupé uses the 3.0L Supercharged V6 TFSI engine producing 333 hp, previously used in the S5 Cabriolet and S4 Sedan/Avant since the 2010 model year. The other major change under the bonnet is the introduction of stop-start technology for better fuel efficiency. Audi claims an average fuel economy of 8.9 litres/100 km (compared to the current 12.6 litres/100 km in the V8 coupe and 10.7 litres/100 km in the Cabriolet). Audi also mentions the S5 is a single-frame vehicle (there is no mention of whether this is an aluminum frame to reduce weight and give the car better performance or if it remains a steel frame).

As part of the mid-generational refresh, the S5 undergoes some major front-end changes including a complete redesign of the headlights - this means new DRL's, a brand new grill loosely based on the 2012 Audi A6 grill, new fog lamps. Audi has also introduced a new rear diffuser that appears to be more cosmetic than the one found on previous models.

Inside, the S5 receives some new features. Dials in the center console get the chrome treatment along with the edges of the buttons for the windows and the 4 MMI control buttons. Audi has brought the shift knob from the RS5 to the S5 which is a welcome change to the antiquated, A6 shifter drivers had to deal with in the past. The MMI looks like it's going to be upgraded with changes to the button configuration in the center console. There is a shift from having four buttons down each side of the console, to just two with the addition of a Menu and Car buttons below the MMI control dial (Audi has removed the skip forward / backward buttons that previously occupied the space on either side of the back button). Lastly, a revised steering wheel will have a new circular airbag cover as well as piano black trim. Sales of updated S5 would begin in 2012 as 2013 model year vehicle in Canada.

Audi A5 photos

Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a compact executive car produced since late 1994 by the German car manufacturer Audi, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group.

Audi A4

The Audi A4 has been built in four generations and is based on Volkswagen's B platform. The first generation A4 succeeded the Audi 80. The automaker's internal numbering treats the Audi A4 as a continuation of the Audi 80 lineage, with the initial Audi A4 designated as the B5-series, followed by the B6, B7, and the current B8. The B8 A4 is built on Audi's new MLB platform, which is currently exclusive to Audi and not shared by models outside the Audi brand, including any from VW.

The Audi A4 automobile layout consists of a longitudinally oriented engine at the front, with transaxle-type transmissions mounted at the rear of the engine. The cars are front-wheel drive, or on some models, "quattro" all-wheel drive.

The Audi A4 is available as a saloon/sedan and estate/wagon. The second (B6) and third generations (B7) of the A4 also had a convertible version.

Audi A4

B5 (Typ 8D, 1994–2001)
The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 (PL45) platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat (B5, Typ 3B). It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive. Many variations of the Audi A4 were also available with Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system. The Audi A4 was initially introduced as a four-door saloon/sedan; the Avant (estate/wagon) arrived a year later.

B6 (Typ 8E/8H, 2001–2005)
An all-new Audi A4, internally designated Typ 8E, debuted in late 2000, now riding on the all-new Volkswagen Group B6 (PL46) platform. The car's new styling was a great success, inspired by the C5 (second-generation) Audi A6. The 1.6 litre base model powerplant remained unchanged, but most other petrol/gasoline engines received either displacement increases, or power upgrades. The 1.8 litre 20-valve Turbo was now available in two additional versions, with 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) or 180 PS (132 kW; 178 bhp), this one with a standard six-speed manual gearbox, while the naturally aspirated 1.8 litre inline-four engine and 2.8 litre V6 were replaced by 2.0 litre, and all-aluminium alloy 3.0 litre units, still with five valves per cylinder, the most powerful of which was capable of 220 PS (162 kW; 217 bhp) and 300 newton metres (221 lb·ft) of torque. The 1.9 Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) engine was upgraded to 130 PS (96 kW; 128 bhp), with Pumpe Düse (Unit Injector) (PD) technology, and was now available with quattro permanent four-wheel drive, while the 2.5 V6 TDI high-end model was introduced with 180 PS (132 kW; 178 bhp) and standard quattro. This generation of quattro consists of default of 50:50 front to rear dynamic torque distribution. A Bosch ESP 5.7 Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system, with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), brake assist, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) were standard across the range.

Audi A4

B7 (Typ 8E/8H, 2005–2008)
Audi introduced a revised Audi A4 in late 2004, with the internal designation of B7. However, this new range Audi A4 still utilised the existing Volkswagen B6 (PL46) platform, a chassis derived from the outgoing B6, but enjoyed heavily revised steering settings, suspension geometry, new internal combustion engine ranges, navigation systems and chassis electronics (including a new advanced Bosch ESP 8.0 Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system). The front grille assembly has changed to be a tall trapezoidal shape in the same manner as the C6 (third-generation) Audi A6.

Audi A4

B8 (Typ 8K, 2008–present)
Audi released the first official pictures of the B8 series Audi A4 in August 2007, and unveiled the car to the public at the September 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Saloon/sedan and Avant (estate/wagon) models are offered. The Avant was unveiled to the public at the March 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

Reception has been mixed, with praise for the Audi A4's increased size, giving it best-in-class rear legroom and trunk space in the compact executive car segment. Its inline-4 2.0 TFSI engine, while efficient providing plenty of torque, was considered lacking and less refined compared to 6-cylinder engines of lighter rivals who posted faster acceleration times. However, the Audi S4 sports sedan has been well-received for its V6 3.0 TFSI engine's power and efficiency.

Audi A4 photos