German Car Zone

Tasting Audi's forbidden fruit

Düsseldorf, Germany - With the current edition of the Audi A6 into its fourth year, Audi is releasing a revised version of its premium sports sedan that the automaker is dubbing "the new generation" A6.

The cars will be arriving in Canada during the first quarter of 2009, with minimal price increases according to Audi brass. Though Audi wasn't releasing price information, the 2009 A6 3.0T Quattro will replace the current A6 3.2FSI Quattro sedan, which has a base price of $59,900.

Externally, the most apparent upgrade is the incorporation of Audi's trademark row of crystalline LED daytime running lights that trace the lower edge of the headlight cluster. First seen on the R8 and slowly making its way through the line-up, Audi's new bling-thing really grabs the eye. It's a simple, clever and extremely effective visual signature that, along with the Clydesdale-sized horse collar grill, leaves no doubt there's an Audi comin' atcha.

Said grill is set in a smoother fascia, and is flanked by low set, aggressive air intakes that house a single fog lamp. Fine trim strips along the lower flanks lead to a revised derriere with a small lip on the trunk lid, deeper diffuser and fresh LED taillights. New-look aluminum wheels complete the picture. All in all, a pretty subtle makeover that gives the all-ready sleek A6 a more refined look.

The interior gets a few tweaks too - notably a new brushed aluminum surround in the instrument panel, higher-resolution graphics, more intuitive second-gen MMI (Multi Media Interface), softer seating surfaces and some very fetching optional open-grained wood veneers. Otherwise, all the goodness of the previous A6's interior carries forward: great seats, roomy cabin, elegant design and unassailable build quality.

Of course Audi didn't fly us to Germany just to squint at the 2009 A6's facelift. The big news is an all-new 290-hp supercharged 3.0-litre TFSI V6 that will be paired with Quattro all-wheel-drive in the sedan and Avant wagon. The 350-hp 4.2 V8 sedan continues unchanged mechanically, while the previous 255-hp 3.2 FSI V6 engine will be found only in front-wheel-drive A6 sedans.

Full article: canadiandriver