1 Powertrain

The new Audi A6 features two engine options that now come equipped with an upgraded Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) Plus system. This innovative system integrates a 48-volt lithium iron phosphate battery, a belt alternator starter (BAS), and a powertrain generator. Its primary role is to enable partial electric driving during low-speed situations, such as coasting or navigating through traffic. Additionally, it provides support to the combustion engine during acceleration, delivering a boost of up to 18 kW and 230 Nm, while also recovering as much as 25 kW of energy during braking or deceleration. These functions enhance driving smoothness, increase efficiency, and lower emissions without transitioning to a full hybrid system.

2 Suspension and Comfort

The latest A6 presents three suspension options: standard, sport (which lowers the ride height by 20 mm), and adaptive air suspension featuring electronically controlled damping. The adaptive air suspension can adjust the vehicle's ride height based on speed and driving conditions, lowering at highway speeds for better aerodynamics or raising for rough terrain or snowy conditions. The lift function is effective up to 85 km/h, providing practical benefits in challenging road situations. Moreover, the car is equipped with five-link aluminum axles at both the front and rear, along with two subframes (a rigid front and a hydraulically mounted rear), which help to absorb road imperfections while ensuring a smooth ride.

3 Handling and All-Wheel Steering

Audi has made some notable enhancements to the A6’s handling with various steering upgrades. Now, the car comes standard with electromechanical progressive steering, which adjusts its ratio based on how much you turn the wheel. When you're driving at lower speeds, the steering feels more direct, making it easier to maneuver. Conversely, at higher speeds, it becomes less direct to help minimize any jittery reactions. A sturdier link between the steering rack, torsion bar, and control arms provides the driver with better road feedback. This system works alongside brake torque vectoring, which lightly applies brakes to the inside wheels during turns, boosting agility and reducing understeer.

For those choosing the quattro all-wheel drive, there's also all-wheel steering available. This feature allows the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels at speeds up to 60 km/h, effectively reducing the turning radius by up to one meter, which is great for city driving. At higher speeds, the rear wheels align with the front ones to enhance stability and responsiveness during highway driving.

4 Technology and ChatGPT Integration

The new A6 runs on Android Automotive OS, which means you can access third-party apps like Spotify, YouTube, and news services right from the car's MMI touchscreen, no smartphone needed. Plus, it supports over-the-air updates, so you’ll get ongoing software support and new features over time.

One exciting feature is the integration of ChatGPT through Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI services into the voice-activated Audi assistant. This allows users to ask general knowledge questions in a conversational way, with the assistant deciding whether to perform a car function or provide information from the web. This makes the car’s infotainment system a versatile, AI-powered interface that goes beyond just basic voice commands.

5 Safety and Driver Assistance

The A6 now comes with a broader range of standard driver assistance features. These include adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic assist, swerve and front turn assist, and park assist plus with distance display.

On top of that, the optional adaptive driving assistant plus uses various data sources—like cloud-based swarm intelligence and detailed map data—to provide more intuitive speed and lane guidance. It takes into account upcoming curves, roundabouts, and intersections to adjust speed as needed. In heavy traffic, it can bring the car to a full stop and start moving again on its own, depending on how long the stop lasts. The A6 also introduces a new integrated brake control system that combines regenerative and friction braking. For models equipped with the MHEV Plus system, this results in smoother transitions and improved energy recovery during braking.

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!