New Audi A6 lights up Yas Marina Circuit

Setting the standard in innovation

Abu Dhabi, June 03, 2011 - The new Audi A6, the successor to the world's most successful executive sedan, is making its market debut in the Middle East with two V6 engines. The 204 hp 2.8 FSI and the 300 hp 3.0 TFSI models both feature the new S tronic transmission and latest generation of quattro four-wheel drive. With its light body, sporty chassis and a wide array of new assistance and multimedia systems, the executive sedan features groundbreaking solutions in every area of technology.   

For the three-week long launch event at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi Audi Middle East has invited over 800 VIP customers and members of the press from the countries of the Middle East as well as Australia, India, Algeria, South Africa and Singapore. Guests are testing the new machines on the track as well as in numerous handling exercises and a scenic drive around beautiful Abu Dhabi.  

Jeff Mannering, Managing Director of Audi Middle East, commented at the launch "The new Audi A6 is already the seventh chapter of an extraordinary success story. It sold seven million times worldwide since it was first launched as the Audi 100. Targeting the second largest premium segment in the Middle East, it will contribute to our goal of becoming the number one premium manufacturer in the region with four-digit figures annually."

The design of the new Audi A6 embodies athleticism and elegance. The sedan is 4.92 meters long and 1.87 meters wide, but just 1.46 meters high. The long engine hood, the low, sweeping roofline and the prominent lines on the flanks create a dynamic overall appearance. The Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights or optional full LED headlights emphasize the striking expression at the front.

The roomy interior of the new Audi A6 echoes the sinewy style of the exterior. The salient element is the "wrap-around" - an inlay encircling the driver and the front-seat passenger. Every detail of the interior, including an innovative layered-wood veneer, is a testament to the care that Audi invests in carmaking. The Audi A6 comes with extensive standard equipment including the latest MMI (Multi Media Interface) operating system, a multifunction leather steering wheel, the Audi parking system plus as well as a glass sunroof. The electric front seats with memory function for the driver can be equipped with ventilation and massage functions as an option.

The new Audi A6 was specially developed for the Middle East region. The performance of the highly efficient four-zone automatic air conditioning system, for example, has been increased. Its functionality was tested over approximately one million test kilometers in various countries including China, South America, South Africa and the UAE. As of now the MMI is also available in Arabic including all Menu points, navigation maps and voice instructions as well as MMI touch handwriting recognition.

Audi also offers a variety of high-tech options: a head-up display, Audi active lane assist, Audi park assist, the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System and the MMI touch. The new adaptive cruise control regulates speed and distance to the vehicle ahead and if necessary breaks the vehicle to a full standstill. The Audi pre sense safety system is in many situations able to reduce accidents and their consequences, or even prevent them altogether.

The latest generation quattro permanent all-wheel drive guarantees supreme traction, stability and dynamic response. At the same time the two powerful, highly efficient gasoline engines make use of important technologies from the brand's modular efficiency platform - the energy recovery system and the start-stop function. Throughout the entire model line, fuel consumption in the A6 has decreased by up to 21 percent compared to the previous model.

In the GCC the Audi A6 is available as of now starting from USD 51,726 and USD 63,705 for the A6 2.8 FSI quattro and the 3.0 TFSI quattro respectively. Both models come with 5 years service and 3 year warranty as a standard.

Long Version

Once again, Audi sets the standard: The new Audi A6, the successor to the world's most successful executive sedan, features groundbreaking solutions in every area of technology. The body is extremely light owing to a significant proportion of aluminum components. The range of assistance and multimedia systems is extensive, and operation is intuitive and user-friendly.

The new Audi A6 is debuting in the Middle East with two gasoline powerplants: a 204 hp 2.8 FSI and a 300 hp 3.0 TFSI.  Both feature the new S tronic transmission and latest generation of quattro four-wheel drive. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system has been expanded to include an additional efficiency mode on the 3.0 TFSI.

With the new A6, which is the seventh generation of the model, Audi is revolutionizing the executive class. Featuring many technical innovations and lightweight aluminum design, this car will write the next chapter in the huge success story of the A6.

The design embodies athleticism and elegance. The sedan is 4.92 meters long and 1.87 meters wide, but just 1.46 meters high - the sportiest proportions in its segment. The long engine hood, the low, sweeping roofline, and the prominent lines on the flanks create a dynamic overall appearance. The Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights or optional full LED headlights emphasize the striking expression at the front.

The body of the new Audi A6 is exceedingly light, stiff and safe, thanks to an intelligent composite design concept. Numerous aluminum components and high-tech steels reduce its weight by some 30 kilograms compared with the previous model, making it the backbone of a systematic lightweight design concept.

Depending on the version, the new executive sedan weighs up to 80 kilograms less than its predecessor. Audi - the lightweight design pioneer of the international automotive industry - has once again reversed the weight spiral, raising the bar for lightweight design.

The body features additional strong points. State-of-the art materials and design methods ensure extremely low interior noise levels. Precision tuning of all components and systematic hydraulic damping in the axle and drivetrain bearings provide excellent vibrational comfort.

Powerful and highly efficient: the two engines

Audi is launching the new A6 with a choice of two powerful, highly efficient six-cylinder powerplants. The two gasoline engines 204 hp and 300 hp respectively. The engines make use of technologies from the brand's modular efficiency platform - the innovative thermal management concept, the start-stop system, and the energy recovery system. Fuel consumption has improved by up to 21 percent compared with the previous model - a leading figure among the competition.

The Audi A6 is available with a sporty S tronic transmission. Each engine features a wide gear-ratio spread and low internal friction, thereby making a significant contribution to the sedan's efficiency. Power is funneled to the road via all four wheels. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive is presented in its latest stage of evolution - its crown-gear center differential and torque vectoring function guarantee supreme traction, stability and dynamic response. Audi also offers the sport differential, which actively distributes torque to the rear wheels.

Thanks to its sophisticated design, the chassis of the new A6 combines sporty precision with supreme comfort. Its links are made of aluminum; the power steering features a new electromechanical drive, making it highly efficient. The executive sedan has wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches in diameter, with powerful brakes behind them.

The Audi drive select dynamic handling system is standard for all engine versions. For enhanced comfort, Audi also offers adaptive air suspension with controlled damping as an option. Dynamic steering will be available soon, also as an option.

Sporty elegance: the interior

The roomy interior of the new Audi A6 echoes the sinewy look of the exterior design. The salient element is the "wrap-around" - an inlay encircling the driver and the front-seat passenger. The elegant face of the instrument panel underscores the sleek quality of the cockpit area.

Every detail of the interior is a testament to the care that Audi invests in carmaking. All materials, including an innovative layered-wood veneer, have been selected and crafted with the utmost care. As an option, the front seats can be equipped with ventilation and massage functions. Ambient lighting or the interior lighting package give the interior an added shine. The new Audi A6 features the logical ergonomics concept that distinguishes all of the brand's models.

The Audi A6 comes with extensive standard equipment including the latest-generation MMI radio operating system, an efficient deluxe automatic four-zone air conditioning, a multifunction leather steering wheel and the Audi music interface, the Audi parking system plus, cruise control as well as a glass sunroof. The electric front seats with memory function for the driver can be equipped with ventilation and massage functions as an option.

Audi also offers a variety of high-tech options: a head-up display, which projects important information onto the windshield, the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System and the MMI touch operating system. As of now the MMI interface is also available in Arabic including all Menu points, navigation maps and voice instructions as well as MMI touch handwriting recognition.

The new adaptive cruise control with stop & go function regulates speed and distance to the vehicle ahead and if necessary breaks the vehicle to a full standstill. The Audi pre sense safety system is in many situations able to reduce accidents and their consequences, or even prevent them altogether. The Audi active lane assist helps the driver keep the A6 on course, and the park assist system relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parallel parking.

Developed for the Middle East 

Before a new model goes into production it has to demonstrate its qualities in countless checks, over 100,000 simulations and more than 2.5 million test kilometers. A number of these tests are benchmark in the automotive industry, such as the patented "INKA" test, which ages the car 12 years in just 19 weeks.

During the test the car is being misted with salt and subjected to a humidity of 100% at 50°C. An artificial sun with 1,000 watts power per sqm simulates the UV intensity of an African summer.

The outdoor "Hot country track" simulates a complete lifecycle of an Audi under extremely hot temperatures in South Africa, on a dedicated gravel track test facility under extreme conditions. 

The new Audi A6 was specially developed for the Middle East region. The performance of highly efficient four-zone automatic air conditioning system, for example, has been increased. Its functionality was tested over approximately one million test kilometers in various countries including China, South America, South Africa and the UAE. Further race track testing ensures that even sporty driving does not interfere with performance, even at temperatures of over fifty degrees.

In addition to the four-zone automatic air conditioning system, heat insulated windscreen and side windows, as well as sun blinds at the rear and side come as a standard in the Middle East and climate controlled comfort seats with active seat ventilation are available optionally.   

In the GCC the Audi A6 is available as of now starting from USD 51,726 and USD 63,705 for the A6 2.8 FSI quattro and the 3.0 TFSI quattro respectively. Both models come with 5 years service and 3 year warranty as a standard.

-Ends-

The Audi Group sold around 1,092,400 cars of the Audi brand in 2010. The Company posted revenue of €29.8 billion and an operating profit of €1.6 billion in 2009. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Győr (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). Aurangabad in India saw the start of CKD production of the Audi A6 at the end of 2007, of the Audi A4 in early October 2008 and of the Audi Q5 in July 2010. Production of the new Audi A1 has been running at the Brussels plant since May 2010. The Company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG's wholly owned subsidiaries include AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft., Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant'Agata Bolognese (Italy) and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi currently employs around 60,000 people worldwide, including around 46,600 in Germany. Between 2011 and 2015 the brand with the four rings is planning to invest around €11.6 billion, mainly in new products, in order to sustain the Company's technological lead embodied in its "Vorsprung durch Technik" slogan. By 2015, Audi plans to increase the number of models in its portfolio to 42.  

Audi has long been fulfilling its social responsibility on many levels - with the aim of making the future worth living for generations to come. The basis for Audi's lasting success is therefore formed by environmental protection, the conservation of resources, international competitiveness and a forwardlooking human resources policy. One example of AUDI AG's commitment to environmental issues is the newly established Audi Environmental Foundation. 

AUDI AG's commitment to the region was confirmed through the foundation of its fully owned subsidiary in 2005: Audi Middle East. The current Middle East model range comprises the A1, A3 Sportback and A4, the A5, S5 and RS 5, the A5 Sportback and A5 Cabriolet, the A6, TT Coupe/Roadster and TT RS Coupe, the A7, A8 L, Q5 and Q7, the R8, R8 V10 and the R8 Spyder V10. 

© Press Release 2011