Audi A6 Review
The special edition A6 further amplifies the desirability quotient.
Audi has recently clinched the number one spot in the Indian luxury market scene and how! Displacing the folks from Bavaria was not easy and this feat has come in much sooner than anticipated. The Audi A6 is the largest selling car in its segment globally and Audi has delivered more than 6000 units of these in India till date. To continue the momentum and celebrate the occasion, Audi has launched the Special Edition A6, which gets a few extra bells and whistles from its elder sibling. We drive this new Audi around the pink city of Jaipur to find out what is so special!
The cars driving more than 70% sales from the Audi lineup include the Q3, A4 and A6. We have already reviewed the A6 in detail (HERE) and hence this review will be restricted to the Special Edition variant only. Audi believes in a top down strategy and has brought in some features to the A6 from the A8. While the A6 is also available in a petrol engine option, the Audi A6 Special Edition will be pampered in two engine options, both diesel. The 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder TDI engine produces 177 BHP of power at 4200 RPM and 380 NM of torque at 1750 – 2500 RPM, paired to a 8-step CVT. Also on board is the 3.0-litre V6 TDI which produces 245 BHP power at 4000 – 4500 RPM and impressive 500 NM of torque at 1400 -3250 RPM. The 3.0-litre TDI is also mated to Audi’s permanent all-wheel drive system, Quattro. Mated to this engine is the quick shifting 7-speed S tronic DSG transmission with tiptronic function and paddle shifters. Both engines offer good performance and the 3.0-litre motor is simply fantastic with ample amount of turning force giving it quick acceleration. The smaller 4-pot diesel mill offers decent performance but is very frugal.
Externally the Special Edition looks identical to the regular A6 and there is no badge or signage to indicate it’s a special model. The all LED headlamps are appointed with cornering function and have a lifespan of 10,000 hours, Audi claims that these LED lamps are the closest re-creation of daylight. These headlamps are standard on the Special Edition A6.
The Audi A6 Special Edition comes with Adaptive Air Suspension with Audi Drive Select. This enables you to cycle through the various driving modes such as comfort, auto, dynamic and individual. In the comfort mode, the suspension is soft and the gearshift is smoother for a relaxed driving experience. In the dynamic mode, the suspension stiffens up, the steering becomes heavier and the gears shift with urgency after hitting the redline. This mode keeps the adrenaline flowing. In the Auto mode, the car judges the driving style based on throttle input and responds to the situation accordingly. In the individual mode, you can set the parameters manually. Handling is good but the steering is not very sharp with decent feedback at speed. However the ride quality is excellent and the A6 takes bad roads in its stride with ample confidence.
The touchpad MMI interface is borrowed from the Audi A8 and enables the user to operate all the MMI functions without having lifting their eyes off the road. For the comfort of rear passengers, Audi has offered a smart remote, which permits the rear seat passenger to control the MMI. This remote is unique to the Indian and Chinese market. The Special Edition A6 offers a rear adjustable front co-driver’s seat. The buttons are mounted on the door trim and are easily accessible. This feature is offered on the Audi A6L in China and has been borrowed specifically for the Indian market since a considerable amount of A6 users in the country prefer to be chauffeured around.
Other unique features in the segment include a 4-zone climate control air conditioner which regulates temperature based on the position and intensity of the sun and cools the car quickly. A 14-speaker Bose Surround Sound System delivers brilliant 3-dimensional sound quality. Safety for the rear passenger also goes a notch up as Audi is offering rear side airbags on this Special Edition A6. You also get a Comfort Key, which is an electronic access and authorization system wherein you can unlock the doors without removing the key from your pocket. The proximity sensor identifies the key as you move close to the car, within 1.5-meters.
At an introductory price of Rs 46.33 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Audi A6 Special Edition makes a very attractive prospect for itself. With so many features of the flagship A8 on hand, this Special Edition indeed makes you feel special with the extra gizmos complementing an already great car. The frugal diesel engines are powerful and Audi’s lightweight construction aids in brilliant driving dynamics. The Air Suspension and Audi Drive Select tailors the car to your driving needs. The Special Edition Audi A6 is a great package and should not be missed at this tempting price.
