How can you make a super product better? Tough! But the new Audi A6 has just substantially raised the bar to put them in the lead among superlative cars like the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E Classe. It was already a remarkable car but the new one exceeds its great specifications with a brilliant substantially aluminium body that is actually 75 kgs lighter to increase efficiencies and fuel economy. It also has a pneumatic suspension that provides an air cushion for superlative comfort and driving control. And, as it is adjustable it can be raised or lowered for bad or good roads.
In terms of styling, the new saloons remain discretely subtle with gentle curves radiating from the huge typically Audi grille and air dam. There are also the trademark ‘string of diamonds’ LCD head and tail lights and unobtrusive shadow lines to proclaim a feeling of refined elegance. On the insides we find beautiful and tasteful leather upholstery and plenty of leg room as senior corporate honchos would expect. In the driver’s space is a very elegant instrument cluster set in a faux walnut dashboard and the latest gadgets for entertainment including an MMI (multi media interface) touchpad that allows effortless control of music, navigation, communications, on board computer, etc. With a battery of Bose speakers the surround sound system is as good as it gets. Needless to say there is comprehensive climate control and bluetooth interface for hands free mobile and numerous other convenience features.
Powering the models are two wonderful new diesel engines generating 177 and 245 HP respectively and two peppy new petrol plants offering 204 and 300 HP respectively. With such high efficiencies they surprisingly deliver fuel consumption comparable to many small cars. And, to raise the competitive heat these brilliant saloons are priced between `37.700 and `49.95 lakhs.
Audi is on a roll in India having sold 3,145 cars during the first seven months of 2011 giving them a dizzy 93 per cent growth rate despite a sluggish overall car market. Now with the new A6 they are expecting even faster growth. Higher interest rates do not seem to affect the high rollers as much as it affects ordinary car buyers.
The writer is an automotive expert and the former editor of a national magazine