Pros :
- One heckuva good looking car.
- Maximum torque under 2000 rpm!
- All-wheel-drive handling dynamics.
- The leader in build quality.
- Classy interior.
Cons :
- Styling needs freshening up.
- Some wind and tire noise at highway speeds.
- The weight of all-wheel-drive equipment.
- Instrument cluster lights up red at night.
- Brake rotors may warp quickly after a lot of heavy braking.
Interior :
Press Coverage :
The interior of the Audi A6 is sumptuous and worthy of this class of automobile. Not only are the shapes pleasing to the eye, everything touchable feels like it belongs in a luxury-class car. Everything looks and feels like high quality. The front seats of the A6 are well cushioned, but not deeply bolstered. Non-sporting drivers will prefer these seats, as they provide all the lateral retention they'll need for comfortable everyday driving while not requiring a climb over the side bolsters. There's lots of headroom, but the tallest drivers may find it has less legroom than the E-Class. Rear headrests, especially the center, impede rearward vision somewhat. The outside mirrors are on the small side, but larger than those on the E-Class. The rear seat is contoured for two, though it will accommodate three adults even if cross-country trips would result in more intimacy than usually desired. There's plenty of rear legroom and headroom, though the rear seat bottom could use a little more support in the center. The dash is well laid out, with controls that are easy to operate. Driver and passenger can set their own temperature. The sound system is easy to operate. Wood is tastefully used on the dash, center console, and door panels. Instruments are white-on-black in daylight, but at night illuminate in a jet-fighter cockpit red. It looks high-tech, and is theoretically better for night vision.
The A6 interior is a nice place to be and Audi's attention to detail is evident: Assist handles over the doors return softly when released. Front and rear seats have reading lights, and there are footwell lights front and rear as well. The door handles are also illuminated for easy nighttime exit, and a red LED light illuminates the center console area with a soft glow. Two cup holders are provided, both clever designs that take up minimum space and work well for standard drink cans. A small flip-down armrest holds a small cell phone, but there's not much cubby storage in the A6. The trunk is commodious and tall, with articulated hinges that don't enter the trunk itself: no more crushed grocery bags or wasted cargo space. With four cargo tie-downs and a cargo net, there's no reason for stuff to be rolling around the trunk. The rear seats are split 60/40 and fold down for additional cargo capacity.
All Audi A6 models share crisp and accurate steering and a perfect balance between smooth ride quality and sharp handling. The Audi A6 is peaceful at highway cruise, with only the slightest ruffle of wind noise around the A-pillars, noticeable only because the rest of the car is so quiet. The A6 is extremely stable at high speeds. The steering is very precise, yet smooth, not darty.
The 2.7 T is designed for more spirited performance with a broad band of torque (258 pounds-feet from 1850-3600 rpm) for quick acceleration performance. With the five-speed automatic, it's capable of 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, according to Audi. The standard Tiptronic automatic that comes on most A6 models is smooth and responsive. We don't miss having a manual. The six-speed manual gearbox found in the A6 2.7 T shifts smoothly and is enjoyable to use. The manual allows the 2.7 T to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds, according to Audi.
Brakes in the A6 are progressive and strong. On a short, quick circuit, the brakes were very stable. Like any sedan, however, the mass of the A6 would likely overheat them in repeated hard use.
Nctd.com
The A6 3.0 sedan should satisfy folks who are especially concerned about safety because it's rigidly built and provides no less than six airbags. And you can get eight if you order the two additional thorax-pelvis rear side airbags. Optional are high-intensity Xenon headlights with automatic dynamic headlight range control and a headlight cleaning system.
There is plenty of room for four tall adults in comfortable seats and doors open unusually wide-something that can't be said for many sedans. The trunk isn't especially deep, but still is large and has a conveniently low opening. Audi says new door seals and thicker glass in the side windows keep the interior well insulated against outside noise and that improved sound insulation has reduced tire noise. However, the A6 sedan still has a fair amount of road and tire noise.
This nicely built sedan is well-equipped and looks and feels more expensive than it is. The instrument cluster has been redesigned, using stylish aluminum accent rings, but secondary gauges are small. The new steering wheel has a more elaborate design and is easier to grip.
Carpoint.com
While the engine and transmission are the big news for the A6, the car’s suspension was completely reworked and lowered nearly an inch, with several of the key components now being made of aluminum rather than steel. Unsprung weight on the A6 has been reduced 15 percent and the chassis has been stiffened. The car is quieter (due in part to thick-er glass) than the previous model, and an ESP stability program and hydraulic brake assist are now standard.
Xenon-plus headlamps for both low and high beams are available, as is a six-disc in-dash CD changer. U.S.-bound A6s will also feature Audi’s first venture into telematics. OnStar will be available first, then Virtual Advisor, which features customized reports for stocks, news and weather available in the car. A hands-free cellular telephone system will be available next year.
Autoweek.com
History:
1998-2000 Audi A6 2.8
5,665 cc / 200 hp / 207 lb-ft / 3800-3900 lbs / 0-60 mph 7.9 sec.
All images and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. No part of this website may be reproduced without the explicit permission of the owner of this site.
