Next-gen Audi A6 digitally rendered
Sagar Bhanushali
Audi has some really grand plans to take its ultra-luxurious range of cars to a whole new level. As a matter of fact, the brand is currently contemplating a joint programme to design and develop next-gen models of the A7, the A8 and the A6. Audi has even stepped up development of the A6 a good couple of years before its official global launch.
The upcoming model will be the fifth generation of the A6. Codenamed C8, this new model will share its platform, drivetrain, chassis and electrical system with bigger Audi sedans to improve economies of scale. Design wise, the new A6 will rely heavily on the Prologue concept to get its look. Expectedly, the next-gen A7 and A8 will also share the same design ethos. Key design elements include a wide hexagonal single-frame grille, angular headlights with LED graphics and a more heavily contoured bonnet. At the side Audi will include large wheel houses, a flatter roof line and pronounced haunches over the wheel arches. The rear, meanwhile, will get OLED taillights.
The new A6 will be based on the second-gen MLB platform which uses a high percentage of high-strength steel, aluminium and carbon fibre-reinforced plastic for weight savings. Engine options, meanwhile, will continue to come in the form of four-cylinder petrol and diesel units for the volume sellers. The higher spec models will use new 3-litre V6 and 4-litre V8 engines sourced from the Audi-Porsche ‘Kovomo’ engine joint venture. Additionally, there are also plans to bring in a new range of V6 and V8 diesels with electric turbocharging.
The next-gen A6 will compete with the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Jaguar XF. While the E-Class and the XF have been recently introduced as all-new generation models, BMW is yet to introduce an entirely new iteration of the popular current-gen 5 Series.
