2012 Audi A6: Movin' On Up

Good design should be recognized & rewarded, and in my opinion Audi keeps raising the bar for automobile designers. The changes, design-wise, to the new 2012 Audi A6 aren't earth-shattering, but they are beautiful and functional. The changes to the transmission are worth noting -- this is a car that is fun to drive and so incredibly smooth you don't know when the automatic is shifting.


Highlights

• Cool headlights
• Super smooth transmission
• Dynamic, Comfort, or Individual suspension choices
  
• Pop-up control/nav/stereo screen
• Available Bang & Olufsen audio system
• 60/40 split back seat
• Comfortable seats with multiple adjustments
• Admirable headroom & legroom in backseat

I fell in love with the 2012 Audi A7 when I first saw it, and after driving one, I felt the price was justifiable for an Autobahn-worthy coupe. The new A6 has many shared interior appointments with the A7: pop-up control screen; new MMI system with touchpad technology; available knock-your-socks-off-and-blow-your-budget Bang & Olufsen sound system with cool martian-esque pop-up speakers; large trunk with ski pass-through. I think the A6 is a bit more practical (it will hold 3 passengers in the backseat), and for $11,000 less, it is more affordable.


The A7 did have better road-hugging with no body roll when powering through turns, but the A6 is no slouch. It'll get up and go when you ask it to. I see the A6 as a competent VP in the Audi line-up: dependable, not too flashy, has some of the capabilities and features of the A7 & A8 (President, CEO & Chairwoman/man of the Board), but is still a stepping stone to the next level.

As for the family-ness of the A6, I think it works well as a family sedan with room in the backseat for 3 kids (including 2 carseats) and tons of room in the trunk for gear and to store the car seats when not in use. An added bonus is that Mom & Dad can use the A6 as a work vehicle and take clients or colleagues out and there is plenty of room in the backseat for two adults to sit comfortably. And every passenger will be impressed with the pop-up screen and Google Earth navigation.

I like the A6 for families, moms, dads, VPs, CEOs, singles, and grandparents. You'll feel safe, powerful, and smart in the new A6, and with the optional B&O audio system, you can out-bass any young hipster with after-market speakers.

Thank you to Michael Lata at Sonnen Motorcars in San Rafael, CA (www.sonnen.com) for letting me take the new A6 out for a long drive. 


Photos courtesy of Edmunds.com.

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