This is the best news for the Audi group as their A6 has bagged the 2012 Autocar Asian Car of Year award. This is the only and the first of its kind multi-market award, which recognizes the best manufactured car in the Asian Countries. From a list of 45 competitors it came down to six finalists-the Volkswagen Jetta, Kia Sportage, Audi A6, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo S60 and Ford Fiesta Saloon. The victorious Audi A6 was selected by a panel of 18 auto experts from every edition of Autocar published in the Asian region. Now the trophy will be handed over to Audi for its A6 next month at the Beijing Motor Show.
Let’s look at what qualified Audi A6 for this prestigious award. When Audi launched its new A6 in the month of August last year at an official event held on the outskirts of the capital of India in Gurgaon, little did people know that this model will make the headline 8 months down the line. The new Audi A6 happened to be light compared to its previous versions launched in India. At that time the prices were set in a range of Rs 37.7 lakh to Rs 46.95 lakh, which has gone up now with the 2012-2013’s budget which has imposed additional excise duty on the vehicles. A6 has been available in four different variants in the Indian automobile market, which includes the Quattro, the diesel and the petrol engine versions. The Audi A6 is integrated with an automatic start stop system, which makes the car it more fuel efficient. It also has been fitted with a seven-speed double clutch gearbox.
There are two variants of Audi A6 in petrol. The A6 2.8 FSI pumps out 150KW at 5250-6500 rpm with a peak torque of 280 Nm at 3000-5000 rpm. Whereas the other version of Audi A6 3.0 TFSI (petrol) gives 220 KWat 5250-6500 rpm with a peak torque of 280 Nm at 2900-4500 rpm. Diesel version also has two variants i.e. Audi A6 2.0 TDI gives out 130 KW at 3750-4200 rpm and a peak torque of 380 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm. The new A6 3.0 TDI Quattro churns out 180 KW at 4000-4500 rpm with a peak torque of 500 Nm at 1400-3250 rpm. A6 2.0 TDI (diesel) and A6 2.8 FSI (petrol) has a 7-speed automatic multitronic transmission whilst A6 3.0 TFSI Quattro (petrol) and A6 3.0 TDI Quattro (diesel) got S-tronic automatic transmission into it.
The A6 3.0 TFSI (petrol) can reach from zero kmph to 100 kmph in a mere 5.5 seconds with a top speed of 250 kmph,whereas the A6 2.8 FSI (petrol) can pick up the speed from zero kmph to 100 kmph in just 7.7 seconds with a maximum speed of 240 kmph. The Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro (diesel) accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in 6.1 seconds where it could easily run up at the top speed of 250 kmph where the A6 2.0 TDI (diesel) can reach 100 kmph in 8.2 seconds with a top speed of 222 kmph.
The other utility cosmetics features of this sedan includes the passenger and driver air bags, bags on the rear and sides, 4-wheel ABS, traction control, light-sensing headlights, ESC (Electric Stability Control), auto climate control air conditioning, front air conditioning, double zone front air conditioning. There are front and rear 3-point seat belts, provisions for upper tether child seat and ISOFIX, passenger convertible retractors for locks, keyless entries, heated mirrors, power locks, and outboard seating positions on the rear has LATCH system, power drive mirror. There is a setup of duel-pull from interior handles to unlock the doors with safety unlock feature where the interior lighting gets turned on if the door is forcefully unlocked. Centre armrest has a first aid kit tucked into it. Power sliding/tilt sunroof with rain sensing wipers have also been fitted.