2012 Audi A6

What's New for 2012

The 2012 Audi A6 will be fully redesigned. Highlights include updated styling, increased interior room, a lighter curb weight and new technological features.

Introduction

While staying true to its midsize luxury sedan roots, the redesigned 2012 Audi A6 will have incremental improvements throughout. On the outside, it gains the large trapezoidal grille and more angular headlights found on the latest A8 and A7 models. Keen observers may also note that the outer dimensions have shrunk slightly. Despite the smaller shell, interior space has grown, thanks in large part to a longer wheelbase. Weight has also been trimmed -- by as much as 176 pounds, depending on the model -- thanks to increased use of aluminum construction, and Audi promises better overall weight distribution.

Under the long hood, the A6 will be fitted with the same 300-horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V6 found in the current model. Quattro all-wheel drive will likely be standard, as will an eight-speed automated dual-clutch manual transmission. An A6 with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is also possible. Other likely configurations include a hybrid, a diesel engine and a high-performance S6 variant.

Look for plenty in the way of new technological features to debut on the 2012 Audi A6, as well. In the same spirit of fuel efficiency, a new "Efficiency" mode will be selectable to maximize consumption. Options will include a configurable driver head-up display, an adaptive suspension, automatic parallel parking, night vision with pedestrian detection, mobile Internet and full LED headlights.

Check back for more information and our driving impressions as the spring 2011 on-sale date approaches.