Audi A6 2004 Review

If the company cannot break into the luxury car segment in Australia with a vehicle of the calibre of the new A6, then it has no right calling itself a premium brand, says caretaker manager Wayne Griffiths.

Mr Griffiths was speaking on the eve of the car's launch in Sydney, an occasion marked by the resignation of Audi Australia boss Graham Hardy who is leaving to pursue a career with parent company Volkswagen.

The announcement follows close on the heels of the resignation of Volkswagen Australia boss Peter Nochar.

Sales of both company's cars have been below the expectations of their parent company.

The luxury car market is unusual in Australia because it is dominated by just two brands – Benz and BMW.

The rest of the pie is divided between a sprinkling of other makes, Audi among them.

It must be a bitter pill for the German company to swallow, especially as it manages to outsell BMW in its hometown.

That said Audi might just be on to a winner with the new A6, although it must be said that it is up against some stiff competition in the form of BMW's new 5 Series and the Benz E Class.

Until now the nondescript A6 has puttered along, barely distinguishable from the the smaller A4 and chalking up modest sales of about 200 cars a year.

In stark contrast to the old A6 the new model has broad muscular lines, with a deep, dominant Jaguar style front grille.

The large, trapezoidal shaped grille signals a distinct change in direction for the future design of all the company's models.

At the rear of the car twin tailpipes flank a black cut out section not unlike the rear apron of the new Holden Monaro.

On diesel models the tailpipes turn towards the ground, no doubt to keep soot from soiling the paintwork.

From the side the profile is poised and sporty, with a short, pert upraised rump.

Large alloys and plenty of rubber fill the guards which are perhaps not as pronounced as previous models.

The new A6 comes with a choice of 2.4 or 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines, a 4.2-litre V8 or a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel.

The V6 is unfortunately not the new hi-tech 184kW 3.2-litre FSi engine that Audi had been hoping for (our low grade fuel has seen to that).

But, regardless, the diesel is clearly the pick of the bunch, with 165kW of power and 450Nm of torque from a low 1400rpm.

With the ability to zip from 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds, you can have your cake and eat it too with this one.

Yet again Audi has demonstrated that diesel is just as good as petrol, even better really with its superior torque.

We like the stronger lines of the new A6 and continue to wonder why Audi has not been more successful here?

The build quality of the cars is certainly on par with anything from Benz and BMW.

We have been able to sample all three engines at the launch and can report all perform well.

The 130kW 2.4-litre engine is adequate in most circumstances and cruises just easily as either of the others.

The larger 3.0-litre V6 offers better performance but is really just warming the seat for the 3.2-litre FSi.

The V8 is of course the consummate performer with its unmistakable burble, but commands a steep premium.

Prices for the A6 start from $83,900, topping out at $151,950 for the V8 Quattro model.