The New A6: Standard and Optional Equipment

Standard equipment

Even in standard trim, the new Audi A6 comes with a level of equipment quite unusual even in the luxury class. Indeed, this high level of all-round perfection is visible right from the start from the use of premium materials finished in optimum quality and redefines high standards in the executive class.

As an example, aluminium trim in the door panels and the dashboard as well as aluminium-look instrument surrounds, aluminium look on the MMI control button and the trim ring around the gearshift or selector lever knob all come as standard.

Electric window lifts front and rear are obviously also standard, together with electrical operation of the exterior mirrors finished in body colour. Central locking comprising not just the doors, but also the boot lid and fuel tank filler flap is operated by remote control.

Seats with manual adjustment for length and backrest angle, as well as adjustment of seat height, inclination, belt height and the position of the head restraint give both the driver and front passenger very good side support and a high standard of comfort. On the quattro versions the rear-seat backrest folds down either in an asymmetric 1/3:2/3 split or entirely from one side to the other.

The seats comes as standard in Meridian upholstery, a further standard feature in the A6 4.2 quattro being the electrical adjustment of seat functions as well as the lumbar support. And in this case Volterra leather is also standard.

Automatic high-comfort air conditioning with sun sensor and separate temperature adjustment on the driver’s and passenger’s side ensures supreme comfort and motoring pleasure as standard in all models within the range. And the A6 4.2 even comes with high-comfort plus automatic air conditioning comprising a wide range of additional functions.

An absolutely unique feature compared with the competition is Audi’s MMI basic Multi Media Interface comprising not only a 6.5-inch monochrome display, but also an integrated radio with CD player and two 2-way loudspeakers.

Halogen headlights in free-form technology with a clear glass cover, electrical headlight range control and a parking light switch function ensure clear and homogeneous illumination of the road ahead. A further standard feature are fog lamps in the front air dam.

A lights and rain sensor for fully automatic control of the windscreen wipers and low-beam headlights is also fitted as standard, just like the coming home/leaving home function integrated in the lights sensor to automatically switch on the car’s lights when setting off and to keep the lights on a bit longer when leaving the car.

The wide range of safety features likewise fitted as standard in the new generation of the A6 is equally impressive. Active safety, for example, benefits from the latest ESP including brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution EBD.

In a collision the occupants are efficiently protected by the robust structure of the car’s body with its specific, predetermined deformation and the highly stable passenger cell. Full-size front airbags and side airbags at the front, as well as the sideguard head airbag system interacting with three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats, belt tensioners and belt-force limiters at the front offer both the driver and passengers maximum safety at all times.

The two full-size front airbags are triggered in two stages, depending on the severity of a collision. Active head restraints at the front fitted as standard, in turn, help to protect the occupants in an impact from behind.

Active safety benefits from the latest electronic stabilisation program ESP 8.0 complete with a hydraulic brake assist, ABS anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution EBD, ASR traction control and the electronic differential lock EDL.

The electromechanical parking brake offers both a parking brake function when the car is at a standstill and setting-off assistance by automatically opening the brakes when setting off and providing an emergency brake function on all four wheels while driving.

Also featured as standard, servotronic steering operates very conveniently via the new four-spoke leather steering wheel adjustable for both height and reach.

16-inch cast aluminium wheels of 9-arm design are standard even on the “basic” versions of the new A6, running on 205/60 R 16 tyres. The six-cylinder 3.2 FSI and 3.0 TDI models, in turn, come on forged lightweight wheels of 7-arm dynamic design, running on 225/55 R16 tyres. The most powerful Audi A6, the 4.2 quattro, finally, comes on 17-inch wheels in 16-spoke design complete with 225/50 R17 tyres.

Optional equipment

The equally wide range of optional equipment on the new Audi A6 likewise leaves nothing to be desired. Perhaps the first and certainly the most visible example is a choice of no less than 15 exterior colours, four of which are new at Audi.

The driver of the new Audi A6 is only rarely required to really “use” his key to the car, with optional advanced key serving, like on the Audi A8, to provide electronic access and driving authorisation. This function is ensured by an electronic pulse emitter generating a signal registered and verified by a proximity sensor in the door. Then, upon verification, the system unlocks the doors as soon as the driver or passenger pull the door handle.

Advanced key also serves electronically and wirelessly to release the steering and ignition before setting out, enabling the driver to fire the engine by pressing the start button on the centre console.

Numerous upholstery options are available to provide a pleasant ambience inside the car: a wide range of leather and cloth variants as well as wood trim offers enough alternatives to make every A6 an unmistakable, one-off car perfectly tailored to its driver.

MMI basic can be upgraded in two optional stages to MMI basic plus and MMI comprising all functions as well as a 7-inch colour display. Further components such as a TV tuner and a DVD navigation system can be added on request.

The MMI terminal controls not just the audio system, but also the navigation unit. Now equipped with an even larger memory and offering a significantly wider range of functions, Audi’s control system ensures the kind of perfection in vehicle control appropriate on a car of this calibre.

The BOSE surround sound system specially tuned to the A6 offers a particularly high standard of audio quality, five amplifier channels spreading sound around the listener like in a concert hall and providing an experience in sound that sets new standards even in the upmarket performance range.

A further feature of the BOSE system is electronic compensation of the car’s specific sound environment. To keep out exterior noise even more effectively, the customer also has the choice of sound-insulating glass serving additionally to minimise the heating effect within the passenger compartment and improve security against theft.

The new A6 comes for the first time with a hands-free car telephone featuring a cordless handset, Bluetooth technology allowing not only wireless communication between the handset and the base unit fitted within the car, but also efficient exchange of further data such as address books memorised within the system. All major telephone functions, finally, may be activated both via the handset and the MMI terminal.

Voice entry of numerous infotainment functions enhances the ergonomic comfort and convenience of MMI to an even higher level.

Sports seats available as an option at the front ensure supreme comfort on long distances and perfect side support, especially through their wide range of individual adjustment: backrest and seat inclination angle, as well as the thigh support, are all individually adjustable, as are the height and fore/aft position of the seat (also electrical as an option).

High-comfort plus automatic air conditioning enhances the well-being and motoring pleasure enjoyed by all the car’s occupants to an even higher standard. Apart from separate air distribution and temperature control for the driver and front passenger, this sophisticated AC system offers draught-free indirect ventilation, centre air nozzles with individual temperature control, and an air humidity sensor. Further functions are the use of residual heat, automatic air recirculation, and additional ventilation at the rear via the door columns.

Leather-covered multifunction sports steering wheels in three-spoke design as well as a leather-covered multifunction steering wheel in four-spoke design come as very pleasant options, with additional functions being available in separate modules, such as paddles behind the steering wheel or a heated steering wheel rim.

The three-spoke wooden sports steering wheel with multifunction control is a particularly attractive option, the rim finished either in walnut or birch. On models fitted with automatic transmission, this steering wheel may also be combined with paddles. And last but certainly not least, the gearshift or automatic selector lever knob finished in wood is a perfect match for the wooden steering wheel.

Even better visibility on the road is ensured by adaptive light including xenon plus. Featuring headlight units able to swivel to the appropriate angle, adaptive light offers far better illumination of winding roads ahead as of a speed of just 12 km/h. Xenon plus lighting includes daytime driving lights and brake lights in LED technology as standard.

Available from 2005, radar-based adaptive cruise control makes it much easier for the driver of the new Audi A6 to keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead. Enhancing “regular” cruise control also available as an option, this system significantly increases driving comfort by automatically controlling the speed of the car relative to the vehicle ahead and the distance chosen.

Also available as an option from 2005, adaptive air suspension significantly enhances your driving pleasure in the new Audi A6. Sports suspension lowering the entire car by 20 millimetres is available as an option right from the start of production, naturally forming a perfect match with the wide range of alloy wheels measuring up to 18 inches in size and refining both the car’s driving dynamics and sporting looks to an even higher standard.

Your luggage also travels business class in the new Audi A6, the luggage compartment package comprising fastening hooks, a multifunction net and a 12 volt power socket also serving to upgrade the luggage compartment. The boot lid opening automatically is yet a further comfort feature, and through-loading complete with a ski bag makes it particularly easy and convenient to load and transport very long objects.

Yet another sensible comfort feature is the trailer towbar with its mechanically swivelling ball-shaped fastening mechanism for simple and convenient use.