Updated Audi A6 coming early 2015

Audi's mid-life update for the A6 ushers in a contemporary new design half-way through its seven-year life span.

Launched in Germany this week, the A6's most obvious changes are to the exterior design, which includes new headlight, grille and front fascia designs, along with a tweaked derriere and new-look exhaust pipes.

New and updated engines and gearboxes and a powerful quad-core powered Nvidia infotainment system are the key technical elements of the update, with the new engines and gearboxes designed to deliver more power while reducing fuel consumption. And as previously reported, Australia will get the uber-efficient 2.0 TDI 'Ultra' version, only it won't wear 'Ultra' badges. It pumps out 140kW but uses just 4.2L/100km and emits CO2 of 109g/km and is mated to a new seven-speed S-Tronic (dual-clutch) automatic transmission, replacing the Multitronic (CVT).

In addition to the adoption of the S tronic dual-clutch auto, a conventional eight-speed 'triptronic' auto will be offered on some high output models.

New safety technologies include active lane assist are offered, that will steer the car back into its lane should it veer off course. Night vision assist with pedestrian and animal detection function is now an option.

The A6 also gets two USB sockets for the first time. Previously owners had to plug in a special adaptor cable priced at $100.

Matrix LED headlight technology borrowed from the A8 will be available on the new A6 (most likely an option in Australia). The safety feature offers "optimum illumination without blinding other road users" says Audi. It basically dims separate LED elements to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, meaning high beams can be left on constantly at night. Unlike similar technology marketed by Mercedes-Benz, the Audi system varies the lighting by purely electronic means, not electro-mechanical.

Another feature that's trickled down from the A8 into the new A6 is the progressive indicator LED facility that gradually lengthens the duration of each flash.

All models including the A6, S6, RS6, and A6 Allroad, benefit from the mechanical and cosmetic updates.

Stefan Moser, Audi's Head of Product and Technology Communications, said the A6 is a "genuine success story" for the brand with more than 500,000 of the current generation A6 sold since 2011.

Although local pricing for the facelifted large prestige car has not been confirmed, it is expected to mirror current levels. That means a price range from around $78,000 for the entry-level four-cylinder model to roughly $169,000 for the 331kW twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder S6, although the updated line-up will no longer include Avant (wagon) variants. Audi Australia reckons A6 Avant variants are seen as a premium models in the range and will soon only be offered in A6 Allroad and RS6 models.

As such the face-lifted range of A6 models coming to Australia next year will be rationalised from 11 models to seven, due to the axing of the Avant models and both petrol V6 sedan models.

Most models coming to Australia will be quattro all-wheel drive, reflecting the fact that two thirds of all Audi cars sold in this country are quattros. Audi A6 Model timing is as follows:

Mid-2015
A6 2.0 TDI S tronic (140kW)
RS 6 Avant quattro tiptronic (412kW)

Although sales of the Audi A6 in Australia have improved by 27 per cent in 2014 to the end of September, the numbers are still relatively small locally, rising from 372 to 477 this year. It's been outsold by its three chief competitors, the Jaguar XF (646), BMW 5 Series (676) and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (1192).

The German importer is hoping for an uptick in sales when the new A6 is parked in dealerships nationwide next year. The plan is to grow sales of the large prestige car by increasing the value equation for customers with more standard features.

"We are seeing growth but for the new model A6 what we're looking to do is enhance value for the customer, when it does arrive, through increased specification – as we've been doing successfully for quite a few years," said Audi Australia Senior Product Communications Executive Shaun Clearly.

When questioned, the Audi Australia executive said it was too early to talk about standard features, but noted that many of the interior upgrades, including the new quad-core powered Nvidia infotainment system, which uses a retractable eight-inch high-res display, will be standard.

Other additions to the A6's technology armoury for the local market include adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, a head up display, and the Audi Pre Sense safety system is now standard.

That said, the online media apps and Audi Connect system that enable live audio streaming won't be available in Australia until local development of the system and apps is undertaken. Australian customers won't be able to sample the new glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) springs introduced either, because they're only offered on entry-level wagons, which aren't coming Down Under.

Nevertheless, Audi Australia is confident of growing A6 sales in the new year and Cleary says there "won't be sales dip due to dropping the Avant".

"As a brand we want to grow and we we've said before we don't want to stay number three [Australian prestige car brand] forever and we want to grow across all ranges, and that includes the A6," Clearly added.