Audi Excites Enthusiasts with New A6

Most car makers enjoy a loyal following, and Audi is no exception.  Its high-end automobiles are world renown for luxury, and when one of its vehicles receives a makeover, as the 2012 A6 has, it becomes big news.

The new 2012 (2013 in the United States) Audi A6 is a complete refresh from earlier A6’s and will feature the A8’s styling under which the company has decided to hide a collection of all new, lightweight components to make the new A6 sportier than the last.  The body itself is comprised more than 20 percent of lightweight aluminum.

One of the biggest improvements, however, is a near 20 percent increase in fuel economy and word that a hybrid A6 may be in the pipeline.  In its most economical form and engine variation, the A6 features a 2 liter engine that by some reports will come in at just under 50 miles per gallon.

If you’re looking for sporty thrills on winding roads, the 3.0 liter A6 will deliver just that at an impressive computer enforced top speed of 155 miles per hour.  Of course, in exchange the extra liter of displacement costs brings total fuel efficiency to 27 miles per gallon.  A middle of the road, 2.8 liter engine is another expected option, though isn’t expected to be launched in the United States.

Hybrid Choice

Audi has gone full circle, leaving consumers with a choice between a high-end sport vehicle, an efficiently trendy gasoline powered auto, or finally, a hybrid.  The 2012 A6 Hybrid will be Audi’s second ever hybrid release.  Currently, only the Q5 SUV is slated for production as a hybrid vehicle, with the company instead focusing on other methods for increased fuel efficiency.

The 2012 A6 Hybrid will feature the same 2.0 liter engine as the all gasoline variation.  A small battery capacity offers roughly 2 miles of pure electric-powered transportation, but Audi declares proudly that the car can reach 62 miles per hour on electricity only.

Gasoline powered A6’s offer a six speed manual or seven speed S tronic whereas the hybrid features only one option, an eight speed transmission.

Audi’s new A6 follows one month after a declaration it would make available a diesel engined options for all of its models by 2015.  The company expects that American interest in diesel engine cars will have nearly quadrupled from 5.5 percent of all sales in 2010 to 20 percent in 2015.

With a simple swap of a gasoline powered engine for diesel, mile per gallon ratings rise to levels that are compliant with more stringent EPA requirements.