New Audi A6 Details Emerge

Though the new Audi A6 is still at least a year away from being shown in concept form and two years from its production debut, details about its construction and platform technology are already leaking onto the web. Building on technologies first developed in the TT platform, the next-generation A6 is expected to use the lightweight ASF II spaceframe technology as its base.

The Ingolstadt-based car maker has developed the Aluminum and Steel Spaceframe (ASF II) technology to provide a platform that weighs half as much as steel, but is half again as rigid, reports Car. ASF technology allows the chassis to be build from a conglomeration of bonded subframe members, modular nose and tail structures and a passenger cell made of aluminum with steel and foam reinforcements.
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S4cabriofoxone - 5/17/2008 5:50:37 PM

+2 Boost

An aluminum spaceframe, combined with a new supercharged V6, would do exactly what Audi has needed the A6 to do since it came out in 2004.

Htay7500 - 5/18/2008 3:29:33 PM

+5 Boost

nice letter. apparently its not x-mas yet though...

Justdrive - 5/19/2008 4:32:16 AM

+2 Boost

"p.s. i want gran turismo 5 to be released before i die." Haha, I hear you 1995e34. But back on topic, ASF and a FI V6 count me in.

Heyhuub - 5/18/2008 5:18:30 PM

+4 Boost

Seeing as the current A6 already approaches the A8 in weight, it really needs the ASF technology.

Chip - 5/18/2008 7:10:34 PM

+2 Boost

2 years is a long time to keep the current A6 on the market. I hope Audi adds some new features or offers some great lease deals (like the A4), because as of right now, it's already looking dated. With Audi focusing all their attention on their new models, I think they've really left this car in the dust and haven't kept it competitive. It needs more than an S-line package.

Surprisingly though, sales were decent the last time I checked.

chewy - 5/19/2008 1:38:32 AM

+1 Boost

the A6 will likely be facelifted for 09 along wiht the supercharged V6

Chip - 5/19/2008 5:41:53 AM

+2 Boost

facelift for a single model year before the redesign?

Sorry, that's just not going to happen.

nine - 5/19/2008 5:05:39 AM

+1 Boost

No offense, (I know people will disagree with me), but personally from someone who hardly ever sees an A8 and sees heaps of A6s, I think that Audi should focus the same amount of attention on a new A8 as it is giving to a new A6.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/19/2008 9:07:52 AM

+1 Boost

For the last time, the A8 doesn't need a redesign--at least not before the A6. The A6 SHOULD sell better, it's cheaper. That isn't grounds for a redesign.

The current A8, when it came out, was best in class. However, it still didn't connect with the American audience. The A6 should also be selling significantly better than what it is currently doing.

bmwdrvr - 5/19/2008 10:14:04 AM

0 Boost

well maybe the fact the new one looks alot like the old one with a large grill may have something to do with why its not selling here that well....as im sure as predictable as AUDI styling is the new one will look like the current one with "slightly" different lines

Audiphile - 5/19/2008 10:16:06 AM

+1 Boost

Don't worry, bmwfan999 - I own an Audi A8L, but I'm not offended as you have never seen an A8. Go to the Audi website, and look at the A8 photos. The car still looks maaahvelous! There's nothing really wrong with the A6's looks, but it looks dated in comparison with the A8.

Hey, S4, I love my A8. Best car I've ever owned. (Unfortunately, it's also the most expensive!) I know some other people who own A8s, and they like their cars too. I get compliments from parking valets and passersby on a regular basis. The automotive press raved about the A8 when it was introduced, and they still like it even today. (The new Mercedes S-class is the only competitor that can match or surpass it.) Any thoughts as to why the car hasn't "connected with the American audience"?

S4cabriofoxone - 5/20/2008 12:14:48 AM

+1 Boost

"well maybe the fact the new one looks alot like the old one with a large grill may have something to do with why its not selling here that well..."

Oh, is that why you think the A8 needs a redesign? Are you kidding?

It's the SAME CAR! The A8L, which came out in 2003 as an '04, received a minor refresh in 2006 when the big grille was added. Then for '08 it got another, slightly better refresh with LED taillamps and other niceties. The new A8 will look far different. LOL...

LexSucks - 5/19/2008 5:42:56 PM

-1 Boost

I don't even have to read the article. Audi is so predictable. Any one want to bet that this car wil get the same tired 265hp V6?

AlexTx - 5/19/2008 11:09:41 PM

+3 Boost

I'll bet that it won't...