Home » Car Reviews » Audi » Audi A6 and S6 » 2005 Audi A6 Mid-Size Luxury Sedan
2005 Audi A6 Mid-Size Luxury Sedan
New Car Review of the 2005 Audi A6 Mid-Size Luxury Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $43,800-53,100
Base Invoice Range: Not Available
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MSRP As Tested: Not Available
Versions: A6 3.2 quattro Sedan, A6 4.2 Sedan
Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Luxury Sedan.
Engine Location: Front engine
Drive Wheels: All Wheel Drive .
3.2 Engine 3.2-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V6, 255 -horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 243 lb-ft torque at 3,250 rpm.
4.2 Engine as Tested: 4.2-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 32-valves, V8 , 335 -horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 310 lb-ft torque at 3,500 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: Six â€'Speed Tiptronic automatic.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): V6 Not available, V8 17/23.
Standard Safety Features: Dual-level driver and passenger airbags, seat mounted side air bags, head airbags. Antilock Brake System, electronic brake force distribution
Competition: BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E Class, Volvo S80, Infiniti M, Lexus GS, Cadillac CTS, Lincoln LS.
The Audi A6 has been one of the most beautiful cars on the road for the past 3 decades. It remains a favorite of ours today. Everything about it is elegant and voluptuous from the gently sloped roofline, sumptuous jewelry, stunning interiors, to its superior fit and finish. And its pricing makes it the most affordable, mid-size-luxury sedan on the market.
Unfortunately public perception of Audi has never reflected the caliber of product they manufacture. This has been their challenge, and it is reflected in sales. BMW, for example, sells three cars to every one Audi. It has succeeded in distancing itself from the second tier luxury automakers, which includes Jaguar, Acura, Saab, Volvo, and Infiniti, and moved closer to the first-tier. However perception keeps Audi sales modest and prevents them from entering the list of top-tier luxury automakers along with Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW.
Audi has worked hard to improve its image with consumers, and is, for the first time, among the top one hundred global brands, ahead of America Online. Over the past three years the brand has also moved up in J.D. Power’s initial quality survey, and is now in the top ten ahead of BMW, Volvo and Acura, just below Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Jaguar and Cadillac.
Audi has a product offensive under way which will see the stable of cars grow from twenty models, to thirty, over the next couple of years. Additionally there is a new A4 on the way, and the smaller A3 will be available in the states for the first time in May 2005.
The previous A6, with the V8 engine, was our favorite Audi product. Its only rival was the BMW 540i, and handling much better than the Mercedes E Class of the same period. Frankly Audi has Mercedes-Benz beat for both design and finish. We remain astounded that the A6 was unable to secure a larger share of the market.
The new A6 design is not as breathtakingly beautiful as the car it replaces. But it remains a world-class sports sedan that is one of the best built products on the market. And it is, in many ways, superior to the previous version.
The biggest change in A6’s styling is at the front where it has been given the new, LARGE, trapezoidal, front grill. This feature is now a significant part of Audi’s design DNA. The 2005 A6 also receives a new V6, and an improved optional V8 engine, a 34% stiffer chassis, and an all-new interior.
Audi Avants are among the very best wagons money can buy. The new A6 Avant will come to market in Fall 2005 as a 2006 model. Currently German rival BMW is not offering a wagon. Hence we expect the A6 Avant to be the top-selling German luxury wagon when it arrives.
