The New 2019 Audi A6: Luxury Sedan with Power and Purpose

There was a time when the A6 was Audi’s best-selling vehicle overall. Period. And on a roster with so many winners, that’s quite an accomplishment. But tastes and markets change. The world now demands a capable SUV above all else—and in the Audi family, things are no different. These days, the A6 has taken a back seat to the automaker’s capable A5 and bigger A7. But American admirers had better buckle their seat belts. The 2019 Audi A6 arrives in the states as early as this fall. And it wants its old spot back.

New, Yet Familiar

Completely redesigned, the new Audi A6 still retains enough familiarity that it won’t feel alien to loyalists of the badge. A winning combination of traditional Audi power and exciting new tech hopes to keep the brand’s string of success well intact and its devoted fan base satisfied.

The 2019 Audi A6 marks the model’s eighth generation. And while there are new features to celebrate, Audi remains true to its successful formula. The smallest (and therefore, least expensive) of the brand’s sedan lineup, the A6 slots beneath the larger A7 and top-of-the-line A8. All sport a freshened design in line with the brand’s new styling themes, for a bolder and more modern look. Nestled firmly in a sweet spot of luxury comfort and sport performance, the 2019 Audi A6 is a midsize sedan for drivers who know what they want. (And who aren’t afraid to spend a little extra coin to attain it.)

Power And Style

For American drivers, the 2019 Audi A6 will come with a single power option and it will be a familiar one at that: the same 335-hp turbocharged 3.0 L V-6 resting in its big siblings, the A7 and A8. Audi says the new A6 can handle 0-60 in a speedy 5.1 seconds. And a belt-alternator-starter system activates the engine’s stop/start capability, courtesy of a 48-volt lithium-ion battery beneath the trunk.

The 2019 Audi A6 engine, as with the A7 and A8, mates to a seven speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The famed Audi Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive system sends power to all four wheels, giving the A6 the ability to disengage the drive shaft when under a lighter load, increasing overall efficiency.

Some Very Useful Bells And Whistles

A smorgasbord of driver-assist technologies abound on the 2019 Audi A6. These include steering, accelerating, and braking assists to keep the car in lane and with the flow of traffic, as well as minimizing the chance of a collision. And 360-degree camera views help with blinds spots, tight squeezes, and pesky curbs while parking.

The tech doesn’t end there, as stepping inside the new A6 reveals. For starters, a new infotainment system has drastically changed the interior and the way that the model and its handler interact. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster makes its first A6 appearance—with “classic” and “infotainment” viewing modes offering everything from 3D maps to night vision.

The touchscreen MMI system in the new A8 is seen here as well, replacing nearly every button and/or knob with dual touchscreens. The 8.6-inch lower screen handles the heating and cooling controls, while a 10.1-inch screen above it takes care of nearly everything else, including audio and “always online” navigation. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are compatible, and up to seven users can save profiles and preferred settings. Additionally, voice command recognizes plain language such as “I’m cold,” and asks the driver if they’d like the heat turned up.

Continue to poke around inside and you’ll find that premium leather and wood inserts cap off the luxury sedan feel. Rear seating has been expanded to include more head, shoulder, and leg room. An optional Bang & Olufsen audio system turns up the sound, as does an online radio system with thousands of stations from across the globe.

Luxury And Performance, Worth The Price?

It’s been said that the new 2019 Audi A6 was initially designed with German Bankers in mind. And while American buyers don’t need a degree in finance to pick one up, a little expendable income certainly won’t hurt. The new Audi A6 retails for a starting price of $58,900. (That’s quite a bit farther up market than previous years’ models.)

It has yet to be seen if the A6 will reclaim its place at the top of the Audi food chain. But with new power, new style, and loads of new tech bundled in a familiar luxury package, the automaker seems confident that the capable mid-sizer will reign supreme again.

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