Audi keeps pushing with new A6

Forget the slump in economy and what it means for luxury car sales -- Audi is pushing ahead with its target of becoming Australia's number one prestige brand, after claiming the title for the first time in January.

Coming off the back of 30 per cent sales growth in 2008, the 'third' German brand is hoping its freshened-up A6 range will give the push it needs to maintain the sort of success demonstrated in January as the economy continues to slide. But that doesn't mean the company is expecting another record year of sales, admitting the full impact the current financial concerns is still unknown.

"We're not exactly sure [of volume]," admits Anna Burgdorf, general manager corporate communications for Audi Australia. "For Audi we're expecting to grow our market share, put it that way.

"We will continue to push."

The new A6 range launches this week with four engine variants. The entry level 125kW 2.0 TFSI; two petrol V6 engines, a 162kW 2.8-litre FSI and the new 172kW supercharged 3.0-litre; and 3.0-litre TDI V6.

Not surprisingly Audi has focused on fuel economy in the new powerplants. The 2.0 FSI returns 7.7L/100km while the 2.8 FSI has reduced its consumption by 0.7-litre over its predecessor to 9.0L/100km. To reduce economy across the range Audi Australia the 3.0 TFSI replaces the out-going model's 3.2-litre V6 and 4.2-litre V8 engines locally. It records economy of 9.5L/100km. All up the entire sedan range the company claims an average fuel consumption reduction of 12 per cent.

Pricing starts at $78,500 for the 2.0 TFSI, $92,000 for the 2.8 FSI, $108,500 for the 3.0 TDI and $112,500 for the 3.0 TFSI.

Two more diesel engines will be added to the range in May and both have been designed to take advantage of the Luxury Car Tax reductions afforded to vehicles with sub-7.0L/100km fuel economy figures. The 5.8L/100km 125kW 2.0 TDI will be priced from $74,500 and will be joined by a 6.2L/100km 2.7-litre TDI that produces 140kW and starts at $84,500. The former is beneath the LCT exemption cut-off while the later qualifies for a reduction.

The latest updates see Audi Australia drop its range of A6 wagons after lackluster sales last year. The A6 Allroad will fill that hole in the range for people looking for more space. There is only one model Allroad a 3.0 TDI version priced from $108,900.

Topping the A6 sedan range is the new RS6 sedan. The four-door joins the RS6 Avant that was the first of the new generation '6' model to be launched late last year (more here). Like the wagon the new RS6 sedan is powered by a twin-turbo V10 petrol engine that produces a massive 426kW and 650Nm. It is priced from $263,500.