The New Audi A6

Audi A6

Transmission

The supreme fuel economy and dynamic performance offered by the new Audi A6 also results from the standard fitment of six-speed manual/six-speed automatic transmissions with a wide range of gear increments.

A new highlight of the manual gearboxes is the introduction of the ML gearbox generation, the abbreviation "ML" standing for "Manual/Longitudinal". The advantages for the driver are enhanced all-round efficiency combined with optimum gearshift operation featuring ultra-short, precise shift travel.

After making its successful production debut in the Audi A6 2.8 in the year 2000, multitronic now once again proves its special qualities in the new A6, combining the benefits of a manual gearbox with those of a geared automatic transmission. A new feature is the introduction of 7 shift stages in the tiptronic mode.

Benefiting from this kind of technology, shift comfort is superior to even a conventional automatic converter transmission, while the transmission's dynamic performance and all-round economy can by all means compare with the qualities of a manual gearbox. And whenever the driver wishes to actively intervene in the transmission process, he is able to do so in six predefined stages by means of shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The particularly high-torque 4.2 V8, 3.2 FSI and 3.0 TDI power units are also available with six-speed tiptronic transmission converting the supreme power of these engines into an equally supreme synthesis of operating convenience and dynamism.

quattro permanent all-wheel drive is a typical feature of all high-performance Audi models. With the power unit and drivetrain of the new A6 being fitted longitudinally, all models come with a Torsen centre differential distributing engine torque in a straightforward but very effective flow of power to the front and rear axles and thus making a significant contribution to the driving dynamics and superior safety even in extreme situations so typical of quattro drive.

The 4.2 and 3.0 TDI models come as standard with quattro all-wheel drive, which is optional on the 3.2 FSI.

Driving dynamics and motoring comfort

Torsional stiffness up by more than 34 per cent clearly proves the qualities of the new Audi A6, especially as the previous model was already widely lauded for its supreme strength and stiffness.

Qualities of this kind offer significant advantages in terms of both vibration comfort and driving dynamics. And vibration amplitudes reduced to a minimum provide a clear sign of the exceptional standard of body stiffness, at the same time creating the perfect foundation for excellent acoustics within the interior.

The supreme stiffness of the steel bodyshell is the result of consistently enhanced joining technologies plus optimised panel profiles. At the same time the improvement of vibration behaviour ensured by numerous optimised details quite literally set the foundation for the harmonious but nevertheless sporting set-up of the chassis. In conjunction with the direct, extremely stable link connecting the steering column to the module subframe, this body configuration is the basic prerequisite for the A6 saloon's precise handling.