I’ve long been a fan of the Audi aesthetic.
From the Bauhausian statement of the TT coupe and roadster to the plutocratic bearing of the continent-conquering A8, Audi’s line of cars and wagons typically embody a mix of imagination and intelligent restraint.
But the company’s midsize A6 was something of a head-scratcher. Powerful, luxurious and a credible alternative to BMW’s 5 series or Mercedes-Benz’s E series, it nevertheless seemed sorta... I dunno... unfinished — as if it had been taken out of the design oven before browning.
Maybe it was the early model’s round rear end that reminded me of a sucked-on gumdrop. Or maybe it was the overly smooth profile that lacked a distinct personality. Or maybe it was the light and numb-feeling steering that dulled the car’s sporting potential. The list went on. Simply, the A6 just wasn’t there, yet — know what I mean?
So as the A6 entered its most recent comprehensive remake, I wonder aloud: Have the designers at VW’s luxury division finally perfected a formula that’s been over a decade in the making?
The answer, as it happens, is “yes” — or at least a strong “I think so.”
With its bold lines, pronounced front grille, low-slung roofline and choice of powerful engines, the A6’s evolution has arrived at a sedan that’s at once familiar but now newly broad-shouldered and handsome. Throw in a choice of powerful V6 or V8 engines and a slick six-speed Tiptronic transmission, and Audi seems to have a real player in its quest for upper-management bonuses.
The look
It’s easy to detect the original A6’s DNA in the new model. Check out the long nose, arched coupe-like roof and snubbed rear end. Gone is the tentative roundness of the old in favor of a design that’s a symphony of straight lines, sharp creases and bulges that create a sense of forward momentum. Indeed, the newest A6 looks like it’s put in a year at the gym and is ready to rumble.
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