2025 Audi A6 Sedan revealed – petrol and diesel with mild hybrid tech, up to four screens, ChatGPT support

A month after debuting the sixth-generation C9 A6 Avant, Audi has pulled the covers off the sedan version of its latest executive model. As with the longroof, the four-door shares its alphanumeric moniker with the electric A6 e-tron, having averted a switch to the A7 name.

Just like the A5 (née A4, as per the previous naming scheme that separated combustion-engined and electric models), the A6 rides on the Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) and utilises the latest petrol and diesel engines with available mild hybrid technology.

Three mills will be offered at launch, starting with a 2.0 litre TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that develops 204 PS and 340 Nm of torque, running on the Atkinson cycle to improve efficiency, plus a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT). Drive is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, getting the A6 from zero to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 244 km/h.

Next is the 2.0 litre TDI turbodiesel, also with 204 PS but with a stout 400 Nm of torque. It also gets a 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator that provides 24 PS and 230 Nm of accelerative boost, on top of allowing the car to coast with the engine off (with the air-con on at full power, thanks to an electric compressor. With the optional quattro all-wheel drive equipped, the oil burner is able to complete the century sprint in 6.8 seconds (7.8 seconds without).

Sitting at the top of the range is a 3.0 litre turbo petrol V6, also running on the Atkinson cycle and with the mild hybrid system and the VGT. This punches out 367 PS and 550 Nm, and thanks to standard-fit quattro, it will blitz its way to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited at 250 km/h.

Under the skin, the A6 rides on five-link front and rear suspension, with an optional sports suspension dropping the ride height by 20 mm. Adaptive air suspension and rear-wheel steering can be had on quattro models, which can decouple the rear axle and conversely send up to 70% of torque to the rear wheels.

The V6 trim is also available with a torque-vectoring rear sport differential; torque vectoring by braking comes as standard. A brake-by-wire system, a first for an A6, is fitted to all models and provides up to 25 kW of regenerative braking on mild hybrid variants. Variable-ratio steering is standard-fit.

Measuring 4,990 mm long, the new A6 is 60 mm longer than the previous model, although its wheelbase is a scant three millimetres longer at 2,927 mm; it’s also slightly narrower at 1,880 mm. Despite the extra length, the boot is actually quite a bit smaller at up to 492 litres – the mild hybrid models presumably have less because of the need to house a battery.

Audi has recently eschewed its traditionally sharp designs for a softer aesthetic with mixed results, and the new A6 continues that trend. Here, you get a gaping singleframe grille that’s even wider than before, extending towards the lower edge of the bumper; the four rings are now mounted on the top edge. This is flanked by aggressive trapezoidal headlights and vertical air curtain inlets.

The side profile, meanwhile, is defined by the sweeping roofline and prominent “quattro” front and rear haunches. Flush door handle recesses work with the active grille shutter, front spoiler, underfloor covers and air guides around the wheels to deliver a drag coefficient of as low as 0.23 – the lowest for an ICE Audi.

Moving to the rear, you’ll find what is probably the A6’s most distinctive styling feature – split taillights that consist of the main lamp units up top and a full-width light guide below, the latter also integrating vertical brake lights on each corner. Audi has also learnt from its past mistakes and gave the A6 genuine twin rectangular tailpipes instead of fakes.

On the options list are matrix LED headlights and OLED taillights – both with customisable light signatures – as well as wheel sizes that range from 18 to 21 inches. Models with the look-faster S line bodykit get 19-inch rollers as standard and have the option of 21s from Audi Sport, including new triple-tone forged units.

Inside, the A6 features a new operating concept first seen in the Q6 e-tron. This means you get a curved wall of OLED screens – called a “digital stage” – that includes a 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit instrument display and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen that incorporates the air-con controls.

The passenger gets an optional 10.9-inch touchscreen of their own, with a special privacy mode allowing them to watch content such as videos without distracting the driver. Also optional is a head-up display that allows drivers to control certain vehicular and media functions for the first time. Like other new Audi models, the A6 incorporates support for ChatGPT generative AI for general inquiries beyond the capabilities of the built-in voice control.

As is tradition, buyers can choose from a wide variety of upholstery options, expanded to include more sustainable choices such as fabric and Dinamica microfibre, the latter made out of 50% recycled polyester. You also get a “dynamic interaction light” bar at the base of the windscreen, which shows a special animation upon locking and unlocking and displays the sequential indicators.

Other available features include Bang & Olufsen sound system options with either 16 or 20 speakers (including headrest speakers), four-zone climate control, an air ioniser, soft-close doors and an electrochromic panoramic glass roof with six segments. You can also have acoustic glass side windows (now at both the front and rear), which combine with the improved sealing, new engine and gearbox mounts and a 30% increase in sound insulation to improve refinement.

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