wheel32
12-31-2007, 06:15 AM
Bathed in the a'nt gleam of the early morning sun against the misty a ra of a pleasantly cold winter day, the unison of nature's mystic eauty with the marvel of human engineering talent 's Audi's sexy super luxury saloon, the A6 Quattro. While most of you may argue that the epitome of er an engineering has to be a Mercedes and that the t s re all just playing catch up, it's time for a reve aHo . Wh'le the Mercedes-Benz E280 CDI is extremely potent a d the summit of luxury on wheels in India, nothin abou the car is even remotely sporty. Yes, it's got the fast st 0-1 0 km/h time in its class but it lacks any kind of flair that hints towards raciness - both in elements of its design and feel. The 'sporty' synonym belongs to the conte der from Bavaria - the BMW S2Sd. One look at . e and it oozes that racy character which 'It eough from the thoroughbred M3S and Mss.
The Mercedes and the BMW are two focused cars aimed at different kinds of buyers. And then there's the Audi A6. The A6 carries over the characteristic Audi in-your-face theme that scream's loud saying that if you want to conquer the world you need to be Master of all. The A6 Quattro is as sporty as it is luxurious, as fast as it is comfortable, as enjoyable as it is safe. The A6, as they say, is in a class of its own. It wasn't always that way, with Audi's sales figures showing dismal compared to arch rivals Mercedes and BMW in Europe. All that has changed for Audi with the new A6 taking the fight to its rivals from Stuttgart and Munich quite comprehensively. Clever packaging, pricing, quality control and most of all, a much better street presence has made the difference.
The A6 carries over the characteristic single pane radiator grille front-end theme that has become so characteristically Audi. With the expanse of the bonnet stretching long, it hides beneath it a monstrous 2967cc V6 oil burner that puts out 236PS at 4000rpm. The torquey mill is extremely refined and most times you'd forget that you're actually driving a diesel! The beauty of the A6 package lies in the efficiency of its mechanicals right from the engine to the 6-speed automatic DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) transmission system that makes lightning quick gear changes. Slot the shift stick in 'Sport' mode and play with the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters to your heart's content.
23
What makes the A6 truly magnificent though, is the four wheel drive 'Quamo' system that helps put all of the 4soNm of torque down on tarmac without so much as a wheelspin! Sitting on the white line waiting for Aspi to floor the throttle for the performance run during our instrumented testing of the car, we expected atleast a little wheelspin. As the Audi gets off the line though, with whatever amount of right-foot torture you throw at it, the Quattro system makes sure all four tyres get all the grip they need. It's probably this that makes the A6 Quattro seem like it's not fast. One look at the figures and you know this car is extremely quick reaching the 100 km/h mark in just 7.86 seconds (from standstill) and continuing strong through its top end to eventually reach 242.skm/h in the matter of a few more seconds. It's not only while getting off the line that the Quattro system works its wonders. Push the car hard through corners and the four wheel drive system will keep the car steady and stable, making it go exactly where you want it to. The six-speed Tiptronic transmission (with Dynamic Shift Program for use as a pure automatic and a Sport mode) is best used in manual mode and in this form the car is a delight for the involved driver. While there is programmed ESP ever present, the ASR traction control and electronic differential lock (EDL) are the key elements that help make this big babe trip the light fantastic.
One aspect which seeped through was that the car isn't lazy when being hustled. Being so smooth in making the drive go through four instead of two driven wheels has its own charm and in its class this is a trump card which one needs to have in hand. Deceptive it sure is and with the great NVH and build quality thrown in, on many an occasion the A6 makes its driver and occupants feel totally oblivious to the massive rate of knots at which she is traveling!
The long body mass carrying sleek lines front to back forms an intimidating picture in rear view mirrors. Sporty on the outside and classy within, the A6 still offers no compromise in comfort as it makes short work of the fastest cars on Indian roads today. The four-link front suspension layout working in combo with the trapezoidal rear suspension has now been very well sorted out and there is none of that wallowy feel the earlier generation A6 were ridiculed for. Aiding the entire handling set are the low-profile 225/50 tyres fitted on very handsome five-spoke 17-inch alloys. That the rubber which reads as Pirelli P7 is an added advantage. The Pirelli P7S have loads of grip and at the same time work in tandem with the well dialled-in suspension to offer impeccable ri quality. Audi has achieved the best compromise and in fact come on top with a suspension setup that not only handles great but isolates the largest of undulations and craters in the road surface from the occupants of the opulent cabin. A light and precise steering makes this big Audi extremely easy to drive even in the most crowded of city streets. All this speaks greatly about the quality of engineering that the German firm has put in to back a smashing design theme to complete what is probably the best all-round package in its class. I did have some reservations about the overtly light steering to begin with but the manner in which the steering gained feel and weight exponentially as the right foot sunk deeper and deeper showed off the rapid strides the handling engineers at Ingolstadt had made to deliver a car with precise yet safe steerability. The brakes are brilliant and they need to be because this car is one of the heaviest in its class (large body, strong build and the additional mass of the Quattro four-wheel drive gear) and has
performance which is the best among the lot of German rivals which predominate in the premium executive class in the country today. There's an eerie feeling about the Audi A6 that gives it a very underworld sort of appeal - the kind that exudes power. Minimalistic design elements on the outside that don't really depart from characteristic modern Audi design cues make it a simple stunner to behold. The mildly curved waistline that is highlighted by the arc of the cabin streamlines the A6's profile to further hint at its sporty character. Large 17-inch wheels fill the tyre wells adequately well and the wide track coupled with the long wheelbase give it a planted look like nothing else on Indian roads.
Inside the cabin, it's all about class. And space. A predominantly black theme with silver accents and dashes of bright red on the interactive displays marks out the Audi's interiors as one of the most stylish yet. It's not all about just cosmetics though, perfectly calculated and executed ergonomics mean that the Audi is extremely comfortable as well. The cabin is not just an ergonomic experience but also an erogenous zone which pampers its occupants to no end with those sitting up front benefiting from a host of adjustments ranging from seats to individual air con controls.
The build quality of the A6 is exemplary and it shows not just in the impeccable build of the cabin and the taut firm nature of the monocoque under dynamic conditions but also in the precise and exact shutlines. There is an understated elegance about the package and while I am not still sold on the front end corporate look, this big Audi carries itself very well. Given its large 8o-litre diesel tank, this car takes mile munching to a new high and even with its 9.Skmpl overall fuel efficiency factored in, it makes for a massive 800km plus operating range.
24
The Kingfisher Club Class sure has a mean rival in the A6. Priced so competitively well that it makes the A6 the first choice on your list if you're looking for a car in this segment, it seems like Audi have played all its cards right. At Rs 4S.3 lakh the A6 is a bargain considering the huge list of equipment that comes standard on the car (and will need almost the entire magazine to outline!). With as-star NCAP rating you can be sure this is car is built like a tank. The only bit that disappointed us was the fuel efficiency, probably the only side effect of the four wheel drive 'Quattro' system, but then again, if you're from the crust of society that has the moolah to buy yourself a car worth this price, the 9.Skmpl overall fuel efficiency won't even bother you. Add to that the fact that this powerful vehicle burns diesel and not petrol you're even better settled with your decision. This big Audi gets not just the two thumbs up but also five stars from us.
The Mercedes and the BMW are two focused cars aimed at different kinds of buyers. And then there's the Audi A6. The A6 carries over the characteristic Audi in-your-face theme that scream's loud saying that if you want to conquer the world you need to be Master of all. The A6 Quattro is as sporty as it is luxurious, as fast as it is comfortable, as enjoyable as it is safe. The A6, as they say, is in a class of its own. It wasn't always that way, with Audi's sales figures showing dismal compared to arch rivals Mercedes and BMW in Europe. All that has changed for Audi with the new A6 taking the fight to its rivals from Stuttgart and Munich quite comprehensively. Clever packaging, pricing, quality control and most of all, a much better street presence has made the difference.
The A6 carries over the characteristic single pane radiator grille front-end theme that has become so characteristically Audi. With the expanse of the bonnet stretching long, it hides beneath it a monstrous 2967cc V6 oil burner that puts out 236PS at 4000rpm. The torquey mill is extremely refined and most times you'd forget that you're actually driving a diesel! The beauty of the A6 package lies in the efficiency of its mechanicals right from the engine to the 6-speed automatic DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) transmission system that makes lightning quick gear changes. Slot the shift stick in 'Sport' mode and play with the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters to your heart's content.
23
What makes the A6 truly magnificent though, is the four wheel drive 'Quamo' system that helps put all of the 4soNm of torque down on tarmac without so much as a wheelspin! Sitting on the white line waiting for Aspi to floor the throttle for the performance run during our instrumented testing of the car, we expected atleast a little wheelspin. As the Audi gets off the line though, with whatever amount of right-foot torture you throw at it, the Quattro system makes sure all four tyres get all the grip they need. It's probably this that makes the A6 Quattro seem like it's not fast. One look at the figures and you know this car is extremely quick reaching the 100 km/h mark in just 7.86 seconds (from standstill) and continuing strong through its top end to eventually reach 242.skm/h in the matter of a few more seconds. It's not only while getting off the line that the Quattro system works its wonders. Push the car hard through corners and the four wheel drive system will keep the car steady and stable, making it go exactly where you want it to. The six-speed Tiptronic transmission (with Dynamic Shift Program for use as a pure automatic and a Sport mode) is best used in manual mode and in this form the car is a delight for the involved driver. While there is programmed ESP ever present, the ASR traction control and electronic differential lock (EDL) are the key elements that help make this big babe trip the light fantastic.
One aspect which seeped through was that the car isn't lazy when being hustled. Being so smooth in making the drive go through four instead of two driven wheels has its own charm and in its class this is a trump card which one needs to have in hand. Deceptive it sure is and with the great NVH and build quality thrown in, on many an occasion the A6 makes its driver and occupants feel totally oblivious to the massive rate of knots at which she is traveling!
The long body mass carrying sleek lines front to back forms an intimidating picture in rear view mirrors. Sporty on the outside and classy within, the A6 still offers no compromise in comfort as it makes short work of the fastest cars on Indian roads today. The four-link front suspension layout working in combo with the trapezoidal rear suspension has now been very well sorted out and there is none of that wallowy feel the earlier generation A6 were ridiculed for. Aiding the entire handling set are the low-profile 225/50 tyres fitted on very handsome five-spoke 17-inch alloys. That the rubber which reads as Pirelli P7 is an added advantage. The Pirelli P7S have loads of grip and at the same time work in tandem with the well dialled-in suspension to offer impeccable ri quality. Audi has achieved the best compromise and in fact come on top with a suspension setup that not only handles great but isolates the largest of undulations and craters in the road surface from the occupants of the opulent cabin. A light and precise steering makes this big Audi extremely easy to drive even in the most crowded of city streets. All this speaks greatly about the quality of engineering that the German firm has put in to back a smashing design theme to complete what is probably the best all-round package in its class. I did have some reservations about the overtly light steering to begin with but the manner in which the steering gained feel and weight exponentially as the right foot sunk deeper and deeper showed off the rapid strides the handling engineers at Ingolstadt had made to deliver a car with precise yet safe steerability. The brakes are brilliant and they need to be because this car is one of the heaviest in its class (large body, strong build and the additional mass of the Quattro four-wheel drive gear) and has
performance which is the best among the lot of German rivals which predominate in the premium executive class in the country today. There's an eerie feeling about the Audi A6 that gives it a very underworld sort of appeal - the kind that exudes power. Minimalistic design elements on the outside that don't really depart from characteristic modern Audi design cues make it a simple stunner to behold. The mildly curved waistline that is highlighted by the arc of the cabin streamlines the A6's profile to further hint at its sporty character. Large 17-inch wheels fill the tyre wells adequately well and the wide track coupled with the long wheelbase give it a planted look like nothing else on Indian roads.
Inside the cabin, it's all about class. And space. A predominantly black theme with silver accents and dashes of bright red on the interactive displays marks out the Audi's interiors as one of the most stylish yet. It's not all about just cosmetics though, perfectly calculated and executed ergonomics mean that the Audi is extremely comfortable as well. The cabin is not just an ergonomic experience but also an erogenous zone which pampers its occupants to no end with those sitting up front benefiting from a host of adjustments ranging from seats to individual air con controls.
The build quality of the A6 is exemplary and it shows not just in the impeccable build of the cabin and the taut firm nature of the monocoque under dynamic conditions but also in the precise and exact shutlines. There is an understated elegance about the package and while I am not still sold on the front end corporate look, this big Audi carries itself very well. Given its large 8o-litre diesel tank, this car takes mile munching to a new high and even with its 9.Skmpl overall fuel efficiency factored in, it makes for a massive 800km plus operating range.
24
The Kingfisher Club Class sure has a mean rival in the A6. Priced so competitively well that it makes the A6 the first choice on your list if you're looking for a car in this segment, it seems like Audi have played all its cards right. At Rs 4S.3 lakh the A6 is a bargain considering the huge list of equipment that comes standard on the car (and will need almost the entire magazine to outline!). With as-star NCAP rating you can be sure this is car is built like a tank. The only bit that disappointed us was the fuel efficiency, probably the only side effect of the four wheel drive 'Quattro' system, but then again, if you're from the crust of society that has the moolah to buy yourself a car worth this price, the 9.Skmpl overall fuel efficiency won't even bother you. Add to that the fact that this powerful vehicle burns diesel and not petrol you're even better settled with your decision. This big Audi gets not just the two thumbs up but also five stars from us.