Sometimes a car manufacturer can do no wrong. At present, Audi is in such a situation!

You may have noticed in recent times that Audi has been winning award after award. And the A6 has certainly been collecting its share of the accolades. The inaugural "World Car of the Year" title was recently awarded to Audi for its A6 model at the 2005 Toronto Motor Show in Canada.

Whilst the awards have been pouring in, the Next Car team took an opportunity to evaluate the 3.0 litre petrol version of the new model A6. This new version was released in Australia during October 2005.

Audi has been releasing new models quite regularly over the past year or so. And there are more new models coming too! The Audi range is amongst the youngest model range anywhere in the world. No doubt this fact adds spice to an already enticing range of models.

But let's look at the new A6 3.0 saloon fitted with the standard 'multitronic' transmission. Perception tells me that this will be the most popular of the five versions available in Australia.

The attractive styling of the new A6 doesn't make the car inconspicuous like some cars. In fact, the styling makes the Audi A6 dominant! The sloping roofline at the rear together with the obvious belt-line add strength to the visual attraction of the car which features the stylish and conspicuous corporate grille which is now featuring on more and more of the products from this successful German company.

As you would expect in a prestige car of the calibre of Audi's new A6, the equipment list is long. We won't even try to cover everything. But we will note the major features. Occupant safety is a primary concern of the Next Car team. In looking at this aspect, we notice the A6 has front occupant airbags, side airbags for front and outboard rear passengers and curtain airbags are fitted front and back. Full marks for these features. The A6 has ESP (electronic stabilisation programme), EDL (electronic differential lock) and ABS (anti-lock brakes with brake assist). The 3.0 litre V6 has 160 kW of power at 6,300rpm and an excellent 290Nm of torque at 3,200rpm. There's data-dot technology, rear acoustic parking system and, a feature appreciated by the author, an electro-mechanical parking brake. Fog lights (front and rear), heated external rear view mirrors, alloy wheels, automatic headlights and rain sensor, remote locking, CD player, cruise control, dual climate air-conditioning, electrically operated front seats and leather trim.

The interior comfort is very pleasing but that isn't the best part of the A6! When you're driving this car, you appreciate driving. The driving dynamics of the A6 remove the dull routine of driving. The A6 is a car which makes you look forward to driving. For today's professionals and senior executives a quality such as a pleasurable motoring journey is a positive factor to ensure each day is commenced and concluded on a positive note. Thus, in my view, the A6 can make a contribution to an individuals daily production.

Current price for the 3.0 litre petrol front-wheel drive model is $89,100 (RRP) plus the traditional add-ons. The quattro tiptronic version of this model is $93,800 (RRP). The wide range of A6 models is priced from $80,400 (RRP) for the 2.4 litre V6 through to $144,800 (RRP) for the 4.2 V8 quattro. As you would imagine, the top of the line A6 4.2 quattro is fully equipped for the easy life. This model is the road rocket amongst the expansive A6 range. There is, also, a 3.0 litre turbo diesel quattro model available at $95,700 (RRP).

Australian sales charts reveal that Audi is one of the playmakers in the 2005 marketplace. Increased sales of the A3, A4 and the A6 is certain to continue as more and more Australians are exposed to the quality and excitement of the Audi product line.

Audi A6 3.0
Location: Brooklyn NSW

Click the image for a larger view

The A6 is a car which immediately reflects strength and quality in its design and manufacture. These attributes are obvious from the first time the driver's door is closed. The commencement of a pleasurable motoring journey is a clear confirmation that quality is in every aspect of the Audi A6. You can feel the quality as you turn every corner, as you bounce over every railway crossing, as you hit one of the many non-existent potholes, just as you negotiate every roundabout ..... but best of all you notice the abundant quality of the A6 when you park it on your driveway! When you look back at the car, you will see a winner!

Executives and professionals seeking a stylish reflection of their personality in a car that satisfies their demands for quality and driving pleasure will identify with this car. Nothing is more certain!

The A6 3.0 delivers on every aspect of what we consider is required in an executive saloon ..... stylish appearance, obvious strength in construction, spacious interior, quality fittings, a comprehensive equipment list, good performance and an easy yet satisfying driving experience. The Audi A6 delivers all this and what's more, it delivers it all in a manner which makes driving the A6 a compelling daily experience because every drive for the Next Car team was an exceptionally satisfying experience. As such we fully understand why the A6 was chosen as the inaugural 'World Car of the Year'! And we fully appreciate why the A6 is moving up the sales charts!

Stephen Walker
19th May, 2005