Driven - Audi A6 Special Edition
The Audi A6 has been a very significant contributor to the brand's impressive sales numbers in India. Audi India has managed to sell 6,000 of them in six years and to mark this achievement, a special edition model has been launched.
We got an opportunity to sample the Audi A6 Special Edition and operate the nine additional features that have come aboard. Unlike most special edition models, there are absolutely no visual differentiators, not even a single special edition badge on the body.
So what does the Audi A6 Special Edition car offer?
Step inside and the special edition features slowly come to your attention if not immediately.
The first thing that comes to your notice is the touch pad for the MMI (Multi Media Interface) which is inherited from the Audi A8. The touch pad reduces driver distractions by being handy while selecting a sound track, making a phone call or using the navigation system.
The next and the biggest feature is the Adaptive Air Suspension system with the Audi Drive Select (ADS). The ADS offers four drive modes - Dynamic, Comfort, Automatic and Individual. Dynamic sharpens up the steering, lowers the ride height and also maps the engine and gearbox for a sporty driving experience.
Comfort setting mellows the car for a relaxed drive. The Automatic mode adjusts the car's parameters according to the road and the driving style while the Individual mode lets you select every single performance settings. The ADS can be accessed via the MMI system.
The 14-speaker Bose audio system delivered supreme music quality and the four zone climate control system is another useful feature that the A6 Special Edition comes loaded with to tackle the rising heat. In addition, there are rear side airbags for enhanced safety.
Audi has offered two more features that would keep the rear seat occupants happy. First is the front co-passenger seat adjustment from the rear. The feature is filtered down from the Audi A6L sold in China and on the A8. India is the only market apart from China to get this feature in an A6. At a press of a button, the front passenger seat can be slid to and fro.
Rear seat occupants also get to access the MMI via a remote that sits on the centre armrest. The remote can be used to adjust everything except the driver specific settings. A special comfort key which can adjust the car's settings (seat position, drive mode and audio preferences) according to the person approaching the car (by recognizing the different key fob), rounds up the special edition's features.
What powers the Audi A6 Special Edition and how does it feel to drive?
The Audi A6 Special Edition is available with the 2.0L TDI and 3.0LV6 TDI engines and is based on the Premium Plus trim level. The 2.0L TDI four cylinder diesel engine produces 175 bhp and 380 Nm of torque while the 3.0 litre TDI pumps out 245 bhp and a surplus torque of 500 Nm. The engines are paired to a 7-speed S Tronic DSG gearbox with paddle shifters.
Fortunately I got to drive the more powerful 3.0 litre TDI version. The saloon covers ground real fast and is very stable while doing so. Put your foot down, and a surge of torque induces a grin on your face! If you are not alert, within seconds you reach serious highway speeds.
Needless to say, I spent most of my time behind the wheel on the Dynamic mode but there is a noticeable difference when the car is switched to the Comfort mode which makes the ride quality suppler and the steering lighter.
The ride quality is impressive even on the Dynamic mode and the steering had adequate weight at high speeds. The car didn't complain while changing directions at high speeds while the braking system is setup to provide a confidence-inspiring stopping power. Overall, the Audi A6 3.0 TDI offered a very rewarding driving experience.
