• Audi shows the benchmark of future design language in Los Angeles
  • Head of Development Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg: “Perfect showcase of Audi DNA”
  • Head of Design Marc Lichte: “A foretaste of the future of Audi”

 

 

Ingolstadt/Los Angeles, November 19, 2014- Audi is launching into a new design era: At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Marc Lichte, Head of Design, is presenting the Audi prologue concept car. Lichte is giving the Audi brand a new styling direction in the large coupe.

“When he moved to Audi, Marc Lichte launched a design offensive,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member for Development, who brought him to Ingolstadt in 2014. “His clear philosophy and precise understanding of Audi DNA let him develop a design strategy that is opening up entirely new perspectives for us. It is progressive and highly emotional; it expresses the technological competence and quality claim of the brand perfectly. The Audi prologue is its first proponent – it is a ‘signature car’ for Audi.”

Marc Lichte himself describes the character of the show car in this way: “Audi stands for sportiness, lightweight design and the quattro permanent all-wheel drive. In the Audi prologue, we are expressing this know-how in a new form – we have put the sportiest car in the luxury segment on wheels. Our team took new approaches in both exterior and interior design.”

Audi design is now expressing progressive technology even more powerfully. The two-door coupe has a flowing, elegant shape and taut design. Its forms and lines are unmistakable and introduce many new ideas. In the clear and unobstructed interior, the architecture melds with the display and operating concept to create a new type of unit. The entire front of the instrument panel is a large touch display, and a portion of the user interface operates with a new type of OLED display made of organic LEDs.

The show car’s technology combines power, comfort and efficiency. The 4.0 TFSI produces up to 605PS of power and 750 Nm (553.2 lb-ft) of torque; it accelerates the Audi prologue from 0 to 62mph in 3.7 seconds. Its dynamic all-wheel steering, in which the rear wheels can turn up to five degrees, makes the large couple extremely responsive and stable while driving.

Harmonious proportions: exterior

The Audi prologue is somewhat shorter and flatter than today’s production A8, with a length of 5.10 metres, wheelbase of 2.94 metres, width of 1.95 metres and height of 1.39 metres. A dominant feature at its low front end is a Singleframe grille displaying the four rings that is integrated into the automobile architecture. The large radiator grille has been widened much more, and it is positioned lower than on today’s production models. Its strong horizontal effect expresses an image of powerful dynamics. The cross bars have a finely structured diamond pattern, and their ends are split.

The headlights – shaped like wide, flat wedges – are located with their tips above the Singleframe. They present high-resolution Matrix laser technology: an innovation from Audi which opens up new approaches to headlight design and enables completely new functionalities. The pupils of the headlights are formed by a projection lens with a laser light source – they generate a matrix that illuminates the entire street in high resolution. Hovering beneath this element are five plastic lenses that are supplied with light via a glass fibre bundle, which are mounted to a lightweight structure and further extend the high-beam light. The new laser technology lets lighting designers create an extremely lightweight, compact and elegant eye-shaped form.

Audi quattro DNA visualised

Also new is the sculptural form of the air intakes under the headlights – the distinctive air intakes have diamond pattern screens in their interiors. A dynamically contoured blade, which is clearly separated from the bumper by a gap, elicits associations to motor sport. Mounted to it are two additional spoilers in glossy black, which give the show car an even stronger and wider stance on the road.

In side profile, its flowing silhouette expresses the character of forward motion in the Audi prologue. Balanced proportions put equal emphasis on the front and rear wheels – a clear reference to the quattro DNA of Audi. The powerful 22-inch wheels are set in widely flared wheel arches. They are fitted with tyres of size 285/30. Each wheel’s ten intertwining Y spokes project a filigreed, three-dimensional and powerful image.

Edges above the wheel arches refer back to the Ur-quattro

A characteristic feature of the Audi prologue are the flared shoulders above the wheels, front and rear. Like the blisters of the original Audi Ur‑quattro of the 1980s, they visualise the quattro drive – but they are no longer just added on, rather they are worked into the flow of the base architecture. In a side view, the shoulders form two gentle arcs above the wheels, which break up the somewhat lower shoulder line between the wheels.

The wings, doors and rear side panels show curved muscular surfaces. The lower door area has a low concave shape that runs upwards to the rear – a motif that links to the design theme of air inlets. The side sills are drawn inward; glossy black aprons form a continuation of the front spoiler. All lines and surfaces on the Audi prologue show car are logically interrelated, which is typical Audi.

Aluminium components in hand-finished quality

The door mirrors are small aluminium sculptures: The mirror housings in the form of a shell create a flowing transition to the window slot trim. They also integrate the open-door sensor surfaces. The doors have no handles, and they are opened electromechanically when the illuminated sensor surfaces are touched.

Vast areas of the stiff multimaterial body of the Audi prologue consist of aluminium and ultra-high-strength steel. The windows are framed by matt and polished aluminium trim strips. At the end of the low roof dome, the window framing transitions into a solid surface of aluminium; its workmanship illustrates the handcraft-like manufacturing quality of Audi, and it enables lowering of the windows despite the C-pillars. This area integrates the fuel tank lid on the right side of the show car. It has an electric opening mechanism and can be lowered completely into the C-pillar by pressing a button in the interior. For enhanced convenience in refuelling, the tank closure does not have a cap. The paint is a light diva grey, a new type of pearl effect paint, which has a warm and elegant appearance.

Rear section drives the whole car forward

The rear section of the Audi prologue also breaks with conventions. It is angled in the driving direction and is reminiscent of the side and rear views of a luxurious yacht; the sickle-shaped seam between the side panel and the bumper emphasises this dynamism. The edge of the boot lid, which is executed as a discreet spoiler, picks up on the blister line coming from the side panel. Between the C-pillars, the rear window has a concave inward curve – it closes off the passenger compartment while enabling convenient cargo loading with the separate boot lid. The Audi prologue unites the positive aspects of a saloon with the aesthetic highlights of a coupe.

The unconventional design of the LED rear lights with their 3D glass gives the tail lights all of the benefits of the new design: the new, long tail lights run across the entire width of the car. At its termination point, the light illuminates the frame of the embossed 3D form. Fine lines in the 3D glass appear to hover in the middle of the light. The brake light is located deep inside the lighting unit. When braking, the bottom of the 3D imprint is also illuminated, which makes the light appear to move towards the observer. This configuration on different levels, and the alternation between 2D and 3D lighting functions lets the observer experience the tail lights in an entirely new dynamic way.

Beneath the bumper, there is a diffuser made of black anodised aluminium; like the front blade, it extends over the full width of the car as a separate, significantly recessed element. The diffuser integrates two trapezoid-shaped inlets which visually coordinate with the embossed tail lights and house the exhaust system tailpipes.

Luxurious and innovative: interior and operating concept

The spacious interior of the Audi prologue is like a luxurious lounge. It is based on Gran Turismo design, and it enables both very focused driving and relaxed touring. The interface visually adapts to the specific driving style. The interior marks the beginning of a new design era at Audi, in which the architecture merges with the operating concept to form one unit. The surfaces for displays and controls are innovatively integrated into the instrument panel and console of the centre tunnel, and the infotainment system brings driver and passenger into dialog with one another.

When entering the vehicle, the four-seat coupe receives its passengers with polite hospitality. The “butler” – an innovative intelligent software program – identifies them based on their smartphones and adjusts the seats and climate control system according to their preferences. The system also makes recommendations for music and route planning that are oriented towards the owner’s preferences. The Easy Slot system, an advanced development of the Audi phone box, is located under lids in the centre console. A special mechanism networks the smartphones of passengers to the vehicle infotainment system and charges them.

Generous open interior space

Tautly stretched lines and lean geometric forms give the interior a light and clear ambience. The instrument panel has a light and elegant appearance with its strictly horizontal layout that is not interrupted anywhere, and it emphasises the generous interior width. It lowers itself towards the interior on two levels. The upper level is positioned, like a roof, above the Audi virtual cockpit future – an advanced development of the Audi virtual cockpit – and above the line of air vents. It is part of the wrap-around – a large arc that encircles the driver and front passenger.

A second wrap-around joins the front and rear sections of the interior and is already quite visible from the exterior. The centre console with its pass-through also appears to hover, as do the front seats, whose rails are mounted on the tunnel and side sills. The head restraints of the two rear bucket seats are lowered when not in use; they automatically extend when a passenger enters the rear seating area with the electric easy entry function.

When the sound system is activated, a new type of sound spoiler extends from the rear shelf; it optimally produces a premium sound in the car that is typical of Audi.

Entire front of instrument panel becomes a display

A radically new type of display and operating concept is embedded in the elegant architecture. Across its full width, the front of the instrument panel is designed to be a display surface which integrates three touch displays. The driver-oriented display to the left of the steering wheel is used to control functions for lighting and assistance systems. The driver-oriented operating unit to the right contains media controls. The front passenger faces a widescreen display that is integrated into the full surface of the instrument panel; it is used to individually and conveniently control entertainment features.

The new type of front passenger display enables digital interaction between the driver and front passenger for the first time. A wiping movement by the passenger is all it takes to send pre-configured routes to the driver’s display and input them into the Audi virtual cockpit future.

On the console of the centre tunnel, there is a fourth flexible touch display that is ergonomically adapted to the driver; it is used for climate control, handwriting input and other vehicle settings. This display consists primarily of an extremely thin, bendable OLED film (OLED: organic light emitting diodes), and it displays extremely sharp images that are rich in contrast. When not in use, the OLED display is integrated flush to the center console and is nearly invisible. When the car is started, the flexible display stands up. The fact that it bends ensures a constant distance to the hand which makes for better ergonomics. When operating the display, the wrist rests on the low-positioned gear selector lever of the eight-speed tiptronic. Designers have also redesigned the shift-by-wire lever. It is now integrated seamlessly into the centre console. Cupholders and smartphone slots are installed under lids on the centre console, to the left and right of the console support element.

Audi virtual cockpit future shows images on three levels

The Audi virtual cockpit future offers a glimpse into the future of the digital cockpit: High-resolution displays and three mirrors generate a virtual stage on three levels – a fascinating view with visual depth. In the navigation view, the first level presents information that is important for driving; levels two and three generate the depth effect in the cockpit. Structuring the information on different levels makes it better organized and easier for the driver to comprehend. The content and colours of the Audi virtual cockpit future change as a function of driving style – when required, the display switches over to Sport mode with special presentation of the relevant information such as engine rpm, temperatures and charge pressure.

Inside the Audi prologue, every detail clearly illustrates its exclusive character. 
A finely crafted perforated panel covers the air vents. If the driver sets the blower to a higher stage, the panel retracts downwards.

White LED light conductors trace the distinctive lines of the interior, starting at the doors. A large aluminium brace forms the steering wheel spokes; it harmonises with the bars on the displays and the door pull handles. All aluminium accents show perfection in craftsmanship: Their surfaces have matt finishes, and the edges are polished – a fine interplay of gloss levels.

Natural materials communicate a new luxury

For Audi designers from the Colour & Trim area, natural materials are the new luxury; all of the materials in the show car fascinate with their authenticity. The surfaces of the seats and seat backs, the dashboard, the console on the centre tunnel and the armrests are covered in light-coloured “passion” leather – a new soft grade of leather that emphasises the natural characteristics of the animal hide.

Soft nubuck leather, also in a light colour, covers the backs of the seats and the side panel trim of the rear seating area. On the instrument panel, the grey-brown trim of the lower section provides another strong accent. The wrap-around is upholstered in dark “passion” leather; here, and in many other areas, aluminium trim strips contrast with panels of open-grained silver-grey elm wood veneer.

Dynamic yet convenient: the technology

The technology of the Audi prologue is as sophisticated as its interior is emotion-evoking. The 4.0 TFSI, which is installed in the engine compartment like a technical masterpiece, produces 605 PS and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of torque; in overboost mode, which the driver can call up for around 15 seconds, a boosted torque of 750 Nm (553.2 lb-ft) is available. The sonorous biturbo V8 accelerates the two-door coupe, which has an unladen weight of 1,980 kilograms (4365.2 lb) from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds.

The show car is capable of returning  to 32.8mpg combined, which equates to CO2 emissions of 199 grams per kilometre. One contributor to this high efficiency is a new 48-volt subsystem of the vehicle electrical system – this is a technology that will soon be introduced to production cars at Audi. The 48-volt system is supplied by a powerful belt starter generator, which turns the powertrain into a mild hybrid and has an energy recovery output of up to 12 kW during braking. An eight-speed tiptronic directs engine power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which works closely with torque vectoring.

New five-link wheel suspensions

In the chassis, the adaptive air suspension sport – an air suspension with controlled damping – offers a large adjustment range between smooth rolling and very tight handling; it also varies the show car’s ground clearance over several levels. The front and rear suspensions are engineered as lightweight five-link designs. The large carbon-fibre ceramic brake discs decelerate the show car powerfully. On the 20-inch front brakes, they are gripped by six-piston fixed calipers.

A technology highlight of the Audi prologue is its dynamic all-wheel steering – it boosts driving dynamics and ride comfort by an intelligent combination of dynamic and all-wheel steering. The driver therefore can enjoy an automobile with extremely good handling. In the lower speed range, this is made evident by better agility and turning ability. In the higher speed range, developers improved the car’s responsiveness which leads to greater vehicle stability.

Overall, dynamic all-wheel steering – with rear wheel steering angles of up to five degrees – makes it easy to manoeuvre when parking and offers precise steering on country roads and impressively comfortable steering on freeways.

Fuel consumption of the models named above:

Audi A8:

Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 11.3 – 5.9** (20.8 – 39.9 US mpg);

Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 264 – 144** (424.9 – 231.7 g/mi)

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

 

Even the refuelling process has been inspired by the Audi R18. Open the classically TT-styled aluminium-look tank cap and the refuelling nozzle can be inserted straight into the filler neck. Just one of the ways the new generation TT has become a true sports car.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

The Audi e-tron Spyder’s blend of bi-turbo diesel and electric power sacrifices none of its sensational performance to its incredible economy potential.

The latest stunning interpretation of e-tron concept made its world debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2010. It is capable of making the 0-62mph dash in 4.4 seconds, has a top speed of 155mph, combined economy of 128.4mpg, CO2 emissions of just 59g/km and a total range of 621 miles.

The two-seater plug-in hybrid combines a new 300PS, bi-turbo version of latest 3.0-litre TDI engine and two electric motors, which have a range of 31 miles under purely electric power and develop 64kW each. The Audi e-tron Spyder's low total weight of around 1,450 kilograms also helps to improve performance and economy.

The e-tron Spyder can combine the powerful 650Nm torque output of its TDI engine with the 352 Nm developed by its two electric motors during acceleration in a process known as ‘boosting’.

The body structure is based on Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology with elements of the bonnet and numerous aerodynamic components made out of carbon to keep weight as low as possible. Thanks to this low weight, short wheelbase and perfect 50:50 weight distribution for dynamic handling, the Audi e-tron Spyder has all the drivability of a go-kart – good on bends and neutral right up to the very high handling limit.

At 1.81 meters wide, just 4.06 metres long and only 1.11 metres in height, the e-tron Spyder has the classic proportions of an open, high-performance sports car, while its silhouette is characterised by a sharp, sweeping line that immediately identifies it as an Audi. The sharply tapered front end lends the Audi e-tron Spyder show car a distinctly wedge-like basic shape. The trapeze of the single-frame grille dominates the distinctly wedge-shaped front end and is flanked by two large air intakes. They serve as cooling intakes for the electric drive system and also for the TDI engine at the rear of the vehicle.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

DCI Gene Hunt and Audi join forces to auction iconic ‘Ashes to Ashes’ car for BBC Children in Need

Bids are currently being invited for the famous red Audi ‘Ur quattro’ used as the formidable sidekick to DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC hit drama series Ashes to Ashes. The car will be sold to the highest bidder in an online auction for this year’s BBC Children in Need charity appeal, the highlight of which will be a live televised show airing on BBC1 on the evening of Friday November 14.

The iconic sports car, which is currently owned by the BBC and was famously ‘fired up’ by Hunt in each episode, is a 1983 example featuring a two-valve-per-cylinder version of the legendary turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine. It has undergone a major restoration by Audi UK to ensure that it looks its very best for this auspicious occasion.

The actor Phil Glenister, who played Hunt, has also added value to this unique mechanical supporting act by personally signing an autograph underneath its bonnet, and as a further reminder of its colourful career on the small screen has also added his character's "fire up the quattro" slogan.  

In an accompanying video specially shot in support of the BBC Children in need fundraising campaign, Glenister also gets behind the wheel and says: "If you want to fire up the quattro, first you have to fire up your wallets!"  

The auction is currently underway at the BBC Children in Need eBay shop, and ends on Sunday November 16 at 2100hrs.

The event has a special significance because the Ur quattro and BBC Children in Need share a 34th birthday: the quattro made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 1980, the same year BBC Children in Need was founded.

In a poll held in 2013 by Auto Express magazine, the Ashes to Ashes quattro was voted number four in a list of the top 40 most famous television cars of all time. The model itself became the world’s first large volume all-wheel-drive production car, breaking the mould in engineering terms and ushering in a new era in motorsport spearheaded by legendary World Rally Championship-winning versions. The quattro remains hugely desirable today amongst collectors and enthusiasts. 

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Even more miles per gallon for economy-focused ultra model as new A6 fleet featuring numerous improvements is now ready for UK ordering

  • New A6 and A6 Avant ranges now available to order – first customer deliveries in December 2014
  • S6 and S6 Avant available from November for March 2015 deliveries
  • RS 6 Avant availability for ordering TBC, expected in first quarter of 2015
  • OTR prices start at £31,955 OTR for the TDI ultra saloon, rising to £58,000 for the S6 Avant
  • Styling revisions, xenon headlamps as standard for SE versions, LED headlights as standard for S line, Matrix LED lights optional for A6 and S6 and standard for RS 6 Avant
  • Interior decor improvements and upgraded infotainment system
  • EU6-compliant engine range benefits from emissions reductions
  • New S tronic twin-clutch transmission replaces multitronic CVT in front-wheel-drive variants

The relentless pursuit of efficiency gains by Audi engineers has led to the inclusion of an even more frugal version of the critically acclaimed A6 ultra executive saloon in the new range that is now available for UK ordering. Priced from £31,955 OTR in Saloon form or £33,955 as an Avant, the latest ultra model extracts even more mileage out of each gallon than its recently introduced predecessor, emits as little as 109g/km of CO2 and doesn’t ask drivers to forego attractions like the S line sports specification in return.

The even more fuel-sparing models join a line-up which has been bolstered by styling revisions, upgraded lighting options, a new infotainment system and new transmissions. Like all other A6 and A6 allroad variants they are open for order now and will reach their first UK owners in December. High performance S6, S6 Avant and RS 6 Avant models will follow shortly afterwards.

Already an efficiency champion with the potential for up to 64.2mpg and low emissions of just 114g/km, the A6 2.0 TDI ultra Saloon with S tronic twin-clutch transmission has now increased its range to 67.3mpg and cut its emissions to 109g/km in SE form with 17-inch alloy wheels. With the S line specification, including 18-inch alloy wheels, its economy capability remains unchanged and its emissions increase only very slightly to 110g/km.

This is good news for business users, particularly those in the market for the TDI ultra in SE form with S tronic transmission, which benefits from a BIK rate change from 18 per cent to 17 per cent, equating to a liability for a 40% tax payer of £2,273 in the first year. Manual transmission models with their reduced 113g/km output and 65.7mpg economy are only just above at 18 per cent.

This step forward from an already impressive starting point also moves both ultra versions of the new A6 Saloon from VED band C to band B, allowing owners to benefit from free road fund licencing in the first year of ownership and a £10 annual saving thereafter over the outgoing model at just £20 per year.

In the Avant versions of the TDI ultra SE, the uplift in efficiency has resulted in an improved C02 figure of 114g/km for S tronic versions, equating to a combined fuel economy figure of 61.4mpg, or 118g/km and 60.1mpg for versions equipped with manual transmission.

Frugality without performance penalties

The particular appeal of the ultra models lies in the fact that their efficiency isn’t achieved at the expense of the kind of power, performance and refinement expected of an executive class car. Thanks to peak outputs of 190 PS and 400Nm, the latter available between 1,750 and 3,000rpm, the A6 TDI ultras deliver strong and responsive performance, a fact which is borne out by the S tronic saloon’s 8.2-second 0-62mph time (8.4 seconds for manual ultras) and 144mph top speed.

A key contributor to this excellent trade-off between pace and frugality is the fully redeveloped seven‑speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission which replaces the familiar eight-speed multitronic continuously variable transmission in front-wheel-drive models. Its rapid fire gear changes help to build momentum, and it also incorporates a new ‘coasting’ function which is activated when efficiency mode is selected in the standard Audi Drive Select system, allowing the engine to ‘freewheel’ in neutral once the accelerator is released. The six‑speed manual gearbox that is available as an alternative in ultra models is also of a new design, and is notable for its particularly light weight and low friction characteristics.

Improvements to the engine start-stop system also contribute to the efficiency gains. The system activates as soon as the car comes to a halt and can now switch on or off several times if required, for example to maintain the ambient cabin temperature managed by the climate control during prolonged periods of stationary traffic. Together, the S tronic and Start-stop revisions save up to 8g/km of C02.

Further evidence of the intensive Audi focus on weight saving as a means of boosting efficiency in parallel with advances in engine technology can be found in the suspension of the A6 Avant TDI ultra models, which feature new lightweight Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer springs as standard. Making their Audi debut here, the light green GFRP springs reduce both sprung and unsprung masses, saving 40 per cent in weight over the conventional steel springs, at just 1.6 kg each.

Four or six-cylinder TDI range

The ultra models are joined in the new A6 Saloon and Avant ranges by four other versions powered by three V6 TDI engines with varying power outputs and either single or twin turbo charging. All comply with the Euro 6 emission standard.

The 3.0-litre six-cylinder TDI ‘clean diesel’ units kick off with a single-turbo V6 with 218PS which replaces the existing 204PS version, and is available in conjunction with either front-wheel-drive or quattro all-wheel-drive. This is followed by a 272PS variant, also with a single charger, which takes over from the outgoing 245PS unit and is linked exclusively to quattro drive.

At the top of the range, the 3.0 TDI clean diesel biturbo produces 320PS, an increase of 7PS over its existing equivalent, and again is allied exclusively to the quattro drivetrain. The high‑performance diesel is paired with an eight‑speed tiptronic automatic transmission. All other V6 options are linked to a seven‑speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission.

The chassis with its sophisticated, fully independent five-link front and trapezoidal link rear suspension combines supreme comfort with crisp handling. Sports suspension lowered by 20mm is standard for the A6 S line and optional for the SE model, and the former can be rooted to the tarmac even more firmly by S line sports suspension which lowers the body by a further 10mm. Alternatively, the cushioned comfort of electronically controlled adaptive air suspension is available in conjunction with both specification options. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system is standard, and in versions with 272PS and above, it can be used to adjust the operating characteristics of the sport differential acting on the rear wheels, which is standard for the S6 and optional for all other quattro-equipped models.

Considered exterior updates

The important changes under the skin of the new A6 and A6 Avant are complemented by exterior design enhancements which create an even more streamlined look and retain the purity of line which is an A6 hallmark. Revisions have been made to the Singleframe grille, the air inlets, the bumpers, the side sills, the rear lights and the tailpipes.

One particular exterior highlight is the addition of xenon headlamps as standard for UK A6 SE models, and LED headlights with dynamic ‘sweeping’ rear indicators for S line versions and above. Matrix LED headlights, incorporating clusters of LED bulbs which can be individually dimmed when sensors detect oncoming or following traffic to automatically divert their beams around obstacles, are optional for all A6 and S6 variants and standard for the RS 6 Avant. They also include dynamic front indicators.

Judicious changes have also been made in the interior, which is already renowned for its uncompromising quality and exceptional premium class ambiance. A key cosmetic difference in the new car is the addition of a new Lunar Silver upholstery and headlining colour choice for S line versions, which have until now been available finished exclusively in black. There are also subtle detail enhancements, including an upgrade from dual-zone to deluxe four-zone climate control, new gear lever designs and additional chrome detailing.

Less immediately obvious but no less beneficial upgrades include the introduction of new versions of the top-of-the-line MMI navigation plus and Audi connect elements. Based around an eight-inch retractable colour monitor, MMI navigation plus is available as an alternative to the standard navigation system. It now uses an even more powerful Tegra 30 graphics processor from Nvidia, and includes MMI touch, which enables the driver to scroll and zoom in lists and maps via a touchpad. Audi connect now brings tailored Internet-based services and new media streaming apps to the car via the latest LTE high‑speed data transmission standard for ultra-fast 4G click-through and download functionality.

The Audi phone box option is also now available – it enables occupants to connect their mobile phones to the car‘s antenna for improved reception simply by placing them in the phone box compartment.

The range of driver assistance systems, topped by adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, is also extremely attractive. Audi side assist, which uses radar to check behind the car when changing lanes, works closely together with Audi active lane assist, which prevents unintended lane changes. The night vision assistant now includes even more functions, and the portfolio of Audi pre sense safety systems is also available to further enhance protection. Important information can be called up via the optional head‑up display.

Redefinition of rugged - the new Audi A6 allroad quattro

The new Audi A6 allroad quattro, which is based on the A6 Avant, features a raised body accentuated by wheel arch extensions and stainless steel protectors that encapsulate the underside of the front and rear ends. It rides on adaptive air suspension with allroad-specific settings and is powered by three 3.0‑litre V6 TDI engines with outputs of 218PS, 272PS and 320PS.

High performance to the power of three: the new S6, S6 Avant and RS 6 Avant

TFSI power remains at the heart of the highest performance versions of the latest A6 range – the S6, S6 Avant and RS 6 Avant. All use a twin turbo V8 with Cylinder on Demand technology producing 450PS in the S6 and 560PS in the RS 6 Avant.

In the S6 Saloon the state-of-the-art V8 is good for a 0-62mph sprint time of just 4.4 seconds. The S6 Avant needs just 4.6 seconds. Combined fuel economy is an impressive 30.7mpg in the Saloon and 30.1mpg in the Avant, the equivalent of 214 and 219 grams CO2 per kilometre, respectively. This efficiency is due in large part to the cylinder on demand (COD) system, which only activates four of the eight cylinders when under part load.

Standard equipment in the new Audi S6 and S6 Avant includes quattro permanent all‑wheel drive incorporating the sports differential and the adaptive air suspension, which lowers the body by 20 millimetres. Matt black brake calipers grip the front discs mounted behind the 19‑inch wheels.

In the figurehead of the new A6 family - the RS 6 Avant - acceleration to 62mph takes a mere 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 189mph is possible. Despite offering 560PS its 4.0-litre TFSI engine is also capable of up to 29.4mpg, corresponding to 223 grams CO2per kilometre. The CoD system is also largely responsible for this efficiency.

An eight‑speed tiptronic transmission transfers the power from the twin turbo V8. The standard quattro drivetrain uses a centre differential with a higher locking rate and also features the sports differential acting on the rear axle. The RS adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 20 millimetres, but customers also have the option of conventionally sprung RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC). The large brake discs feature a weight-saving wave design, and the wheels measure 20 inches in diameter. 21‑inch wheels are available as an option.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk