Is the Audi A6 the Best Car in the Land?
Over the coming weeks we’ll take a look at the 10 finalists in the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ Wesbank-sponsored Car of the Year competition for 2012, focussing on them one by one - and in no particular order - as we count down to the announcement of the winner on March 14.
First up is the Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro. Apart from the Mercedes-Benz SLK it is the most expensive car in the competition, a fact which may count against it when the judges weigh up its value proposition - after all, it is easier to see value in something which you can afford and with a list price of R645 000 it is well outside the budget of motoring journalists. Rather, it is aimed squarely at mature, upper management types who prefer a traditional sedan over an SUV, and are used to flying business class…
Class is a word which springs to mind when describing it though and the latest A6 combines the qualities which have made German mid-sized sedans the benchmark in this sector: this car is magnificent in terms of build quality, refinement and comfort. You could argue that the fundamental engine design is a little long in the tooth, and the V6 is mated to a seven-speed transmission in an age where some rivals have moved to a more fashionable eight speed unit. These hardly seem to matter in the real world though, and performance is plentiful, the additional weight of the Quattro all-wheel-drive system offset by the extensive use of aluminium in the construction, and the sporty characteristics of the S Tronic ‘box allow the power and torque (180 kW and 500 Nm) to be deployed instantly.
As you’d expect it boasts a vast array of equipment and features to keep the driver busy but it is class-leading in how it combines understated style with an array of controls. Intuitive and user-friendly, it doesn’t overwhelm the driver despite the amount of information at hand. It also boasts a superb sound system. This is a genuine five-seater, with the luggage volume to match.
Overall, the A6 3.0 TDI has the makings of a great middleweight executive, its svelte, low-slung looks arguably the most pleasing in the sector, while the driving experience belies its size and positioning. Whether Quattro is really necessary in a market like ours is debatable, and may be a factor which will polarise opinion, but I for one wouldn’t have a problem with it being chosen as Car of the Year.
