Road tested By Hugh Maguire.
The 2024 model year Audi A6 is not a completely new car but rather a refresh to keep it going until its replacement arrives in the next year or so.
Audi may be behind BMW and Mercedes who both have already launched their latest 5 Series and E Class respectively but I can tell you after some 600km behind the wheel of the “refreshed” A6 this is one excellent and indeed a very desirable motorcar.
By the way its not electric or even a full hybrid ( its a mild hybrid) but is diesel powered and what a joy to drive this one! Diesel still accounts for almost 22% of new car sales to date this year. The message is clear don’t be afraid to purchase petrol or diesel. These new cars are cleaner than ever before and in fact by buying such a car and just keeping it (or indeed keeping your current modern petrol or diesel) you are creating less of a carbon footprint than by buying a new EV and probably changing it in three years or so.
So has it got street cred?
While the basic style of the A6 has been around for a few years now the refresh works well with minor cosmetic upgrades which together modernise the A6. I love its understated class and elegance. It is an imposing car that simply oozes understated class. Finished in a new colour of Ascari Blue it looks fabulous.
What’s it like inside?
The cabin is beautifully crafted and in my opinion is now the very best cabin in this class beating both the Mercedes and BMW. The materials are of the highest quality and the fit and finish simply beyond reproach.
The revised Audi Virtual cockpit is a visual masterpiece. I love that they offer analogue style dials in digital format. Way Way better than the unintelligible mess that is the latest BMW Glass Panel. The integrated haptic touchscreens look very well indeed. Each one is dedicated to a function, Instrumentation, infotainment, climate control. Simple and super effective!
The S-Line is very generously equipped and too much to detail here, but highlights include the double glazed windows, mild hybrid technology through regenerative braking, and intelligent stop start, as well as a host of goodies such as google maps, leather and Alcantara upholstery, Matrix LED auto lights and much more. Mind you no electric seats or wireless charging!
Whats under the bonnet?
Powered by Audi’s creamy smooth 2.0 litre TDI diesel and mated to a 7-Speed S-Tronic auto with power going to the front wheels, and 204 bhp on tap this A6 moves along very nicely indeed. It sips diesel burning just 5.9 litres per 100km over my test giving a range of about 1,200 km to a tankful. Road tax is €210.00
Will I enjoy driving it?
The ride and handling of A6 is equally impressive. The sports suspension set-up of the S-Line is a good blend between comfort and rewarding handling making the A6 an enjoyable car to drive.
It also proves to be a refined car. Accomadation is vast with plenty of leg and headroom both front and rear along with a decent 530 litre sized boot. All in all this is a very well rounded car that never fails to impress in any area.
Verdict.
The Audi A6 S line 40 TDI demonstrates quite clearly that you do not need to follow the herd down the road of awful digital interiors with massive touchscreens perched on top of the dash and tiny equally awful digital driver displays.
The digital displays with haptic touch in the A6 are perfect. The quality of everything is absolutely superb. There are not many test cars I really would desire but the Audi A6 is a car I would have no hesitation to buy. It really is that good. Prices start at €60,045.