What Is It?
2005 Audi A6
What's Special About It?
Audi is hoping that a combination of more power under the hood, added features in the cabin and a splash of design originality on the outside are enough to get its midsize A6 out from under the shadow of the ever-dominant Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series sedans.
The top-of-the-line model still sports a 4.2-liter V8, but this time around it cranks out 330 horsepower and 304 pound-feet of torque. Midrange models are powered by a direct-injection 3.2-liter V6 that develops 251 hp while the base model uses a new 175-hp, 2.4-liter V6. Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions are offered along with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that includes an extra "step" when placed in manual-shift mode. The suspension design remains much as it was before, but the adaptive air suspension used in the A8 will be an option starting in early 2005. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard with the V8, optional with the otherwise front-wheel-drive V6 models.
As is the norm for Audi, the A6's interior sports a cutting-edge design and plenty of high-quality materials. The overall look is similar to the A8 complete with a standard Multi Media Interface (MMI) control system integrated into the center console. Options include adaptive headlights, a keyless ignition and radar-assisted cruise control. A three-inch stretch in the wheelbase results in more room all around and even the trunk is up to over 19 cubic feet.
What's Edmunds Take?
Audi has been making huge strides in the last several years toward overcoming its image as a second-tier German luxury brand. The previous A6 was a perfectly capable midsize sedan, but it lacked the personality it needed to break out of the pack. Love it or hate it, this new A6 has a look that won't get lost in the crowd. Add in the spacious new interior and more powerful engines and this A6 has what it takes to step to the head of the line. — Ed Hellwig
2005 Audi A6
What's Special About It?
Audi is hoping that a combination of more power under the hood, added features in the cabin and a splash of design originality on the outside are enough to get its midsize A6 out from under the shadow of the ever-dominant Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series sedans.
The top-of-the-line model still sports a 4.2-liter V8, but this time around it cranks out 330 horsepower and 304 pound-feet of torque. Midrange models are powered by a direct-injection 3.2-liter V6 that develops 251 hp while the base model uses a new 175-hp, 2.4-liter V6. Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions are offered along with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that includes an extra "step" when placed in manual-shift mode. The suspension design remains much as it was before, but the adaptive air suspension used in the A8 will be an option starting in early 2005. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard with the V8, optional with the otherwise front-wheel-drive V6 models.
As is the norm for Audi, the A6's interior sports a cutting-edge design and plenty of high-quality materials. The overall look is similar to the A8 complete with a standard Multi Media Interface (MMI) control system integrated into the center console. Options include adaptive headlights, a keyless ignition and radar-assisted cruise control. A three-inch stretch in the wheelbase results in more room all around and even the trunk is up to over 19 cubic feet.
What's Edmunds Take?
Audi has been making huge strides in the last several years toward overcoming its image as a second-tier German luxury brand. The previous A6 was a perfectly capable midsize sedan, but it lacked the personality it needed to break out of the pack. Love it or hate it, this new A6 has a look that won't get lost in the crowd. Add in the spacious new interior and more powerful engines and this A6 has what it takes to step to the head of the line. — Ed Hellwig
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