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May 2005 Audi A6 World Car of the Year |
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2005 Audi A6 World Car of the Year
By Bill Vance
The author is an automotive historian and columnist for DPN and other media outlets. See billvanceautohistory.ca for author books.
 The 2005 Audi A6 has been named World Car of the Year by a group of international journalists (including three Canadians) at this yearís Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.
Although the existing Audi A6 was an outstanding car, the new one is a little better in every way. The 90° all aluminum V-6 engine was been increased from 3.0 litres to 3.1 (Itís 3123 cc, which Audi ìrounds upî to 3.2). After a seven year period of 5-valves-per-cylinder (3 intake and 2 exhaust), Audiís 6 has reverted to 4. It does, however, maintain the 5-valve configuration on the optional 4.2 litre, 335 hp V-8. Both have dual overhead camshafts, chain-driven to eliminate the cost and inconvenience of timing belt replacement. A variable intake manifold and continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing provide flexible engine operation across a wide rpm range.
The new engines (the twin turbo V-6 2.7T is gone) use the latest in fuel injection technology by injecting the gasoline directly into the combustion chambers, rather that just upstream of the intake valves (Audi calls is FSI, for Fuel Straight Injection). The return to direct injection is interesting because it was used on the worldís first four-stroke, fuel injected gasoline car, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL gullwing, whose direct injection was borrowed from diesel technology.
 Direct injection increases both power and economy, and in the latest electronically controlled type it provides more precise timing, allowing injection to take place later in the compression stroke for better combustion control. This allows Audi to use a 12.5:1 compression ratio. Amazingly, regular 87 octane gasoline can be used, although 91 octane premium is recommended for maximum performance. The V-6 develops 255 hp at 6500 rpm (up 25 hp from the ë04 V-6), and 243 ft lb of torque at 3250 rpm (up 22 ft lb). This is sent to all four wheels through a 6-speed (formerly 5) automatic transmission and Audiís Quattro system. The ìMultitronicî continuously variable transmission is no longer offered in North America. Front-to-rear torque distribution is by a Torsen (torque sensing) centre differential that automatically directs power as required. Tiptronic, Audiís (and inventor Porscheís) name for manumatic shifting, allows manual gear selection by moving the lever to the right and tapping it forward for a higher gear or backwards for a lower one.
Braking is power assisted vented discs all around, with brake assist (for panic stops), ABS and electronic rear pressure proportioning. The ABS is incorporated into the electronic stability control system that helps maintain/recover vehicle stability in oversteer/understeer conditions. The parking brake is now electromechanical, and is activated by console-mounted pull-on push-off switch that replaces the traditional parking brake lever, and frees up console space.
A full array of safety equipment is provided, including self-tensioning seat belts, two-stage front airbags, side air bags and window air curtains. There are also ìsee-around-cornersî Bi-Zenon headlamps that turn up to 15° with the front wheels. Itís optional on the 6 cylinder, standard on the 8 cylinder.
The styling of the new A6 is the usual well-proportioned Audi body, now 34% stiffer, with full sized windows (take note Chrysler 300) and an aerodynamic coupe-like profile. The one area of controversy will be the large, single-frame trapezoidal grille, Audiís new styling signature. In early photos it appeared overpowering, but in real life itís less jarring. That trapezoid shape harks back to 1930s Auto Union (Audiís ancestor) mid-engined, Grand Prix car driven by the legendary Tazio Nuvolari. The shape is replicated in the steering wheel centre.
For added interior space the new A6ís wheelbase has been lengthened by 85 to 2843 mm, and over-all length by 38 to 4916 mm. Front and rear shoulder room is up by 25 mm.
Zero to 100 km/h time (Audi figures) is 7.1 s for the V-6 (slightly faster for the V-8), and top speed is electronically governed at 209 km/h (130 mph). City/highway fuel consumption ratings for the 6 are 12.6/8.2 L/100 km (22/34 mpg), and for the 8 13.6/9.3 (21/30). Prices start at about $60,000.
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