2018 Audi A6 REVEALED - a shrunken A8 to take on the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class

2018 Audi A6 REVEALED

The 2018 Audi A6 has been revealed to take the fight to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E Class with mild hybrid technology across the range.

At first look (and second, and third and…) the newly revealed 2018 Audi A6 looks rather like a 2018 Audi A8. But there are differences.

Obviously it’s smaller than the A8, and overall, if you look carefully, you can see stuff like the grille, lines and stance make it look just a bit more dynamic than the executive A8, but not as dynamic as the A7. So, lots of differentiation then.

Inside is a bit bigger, with more leg room in the back and more shoulder and head room too, although the boot’s about the same size as the current A6.

Technology include the same MMI Touch as the A8, with standard 8″ screen, and 10.2″ option with 8.6″ display for the climate, as well as Audi’s 12.3″ Virtual Cockpit (which is very good).

The Sat Nav gets clever by learning what you do, when you do it and where you go, ‘Car-to-X’ services use data from Audi’s Fleet to warn of road conditions and you can spec up to five smartphones to act as the A6’s key, there’s a plethora of safety stuff depending on how much you want to spend, and the basics for autonomous driving.

There’s also mild hybrid features for all engines in the range, with the four-pot engines using 12v electrics and a belt start generator, but V6 engines come with a 48v electrical system with small lithium-ion battery to store energy.

The new A6 engine offerings will no doubt grow, but it will kick off with a 201bhp 2.0 litre diesel, two V6 diesels with 228bhp and 286bhp, and a 335bhp petrol.

The suspension on offer depends on spec and engine – with adaptive and air suspension options – which gets more aluminium, a new four-wheel steering option and better feel for the steering too.

The Audi A6 doesn’t yet have a price list, but as it’s due to go on sale in the next few month, after a debut in Geneva, Audi will have to come up with prices sooner rather than later.