Showing the importance of the estate to some of its biggest European markets, Audi first showed the new A6 as an Avant (and we've driven it already). But while Irish buyers were no doubt delighted to see that a diesel engine is still available, they don't really buy estates in any great numbers. Hence, today's revealing of the saloon will be bigger news to them. Yes, it will be offered with diesel power and yes, it arrives in Ireland before 2025 is out.
Is it the same as the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron?
No, the electric A6 e-tron is built on Audi's “PPE” platform, designed purely for EVs, while the A6 saloon shown here is on underpinnings developed to house internal combustion engines. And Audi hasn't just used the same body, either; where the A6 Sportback e-tron is a five-door fastback, the new A6 saloon is a more traditional four-door car.
Beyond that, the A6 saloon is less curvy looking, though Audi has still focused on its aerodynamics in a bid to reduce drag. Hence the coefficient of drag is as low as 0.23. The coefficient of drag is a number that shows how easily a car moves through air - the lower it is, the less wind resistance the car has. That means it takes less energy to push along at speed and it also means less noise from the air rushing over the car's body.
For reference, some versions of the A6 Sportback e-tron manage a coefficient of drag as low as 0.21, which makes it not only the most aerodynamic Audi yet, but also the most aerodynamic car in the Volkswagen Group. Hence 0.23 for the new A6 saloon is not too shabby at all.
In terms of design, the A6 saloon uses the same high-tech LED headlights as the Audi A6 Avant, including the option to upgrade to Matrix LED technology up front and digital OLED rear lights. These allow for various different daytime running light signatures and come with extra safety features - such as warning the driver behind of a hazard up ahead.
There's a full-width LED light bar at the back as well, plus upright brake lights, as previewed in the A6 Avant.
Up front, Audi's so-called “Singleframe” radiator grille is larger and lower set than ever, giving the A6 a distinctly sporty appearance. The detailing of this grille varies by trim level, as does the design of the lower apron.
Same story at the back, with visible - and real - exhaust outlets across the board, plus a distinctive, sharp-edged curve to the boot deck, complemented by a sharply sloping rear window and classy looking side window surrounds.
What's the interior like?
Unsurprisingly, the A6 saloon's interior is little different to that of the A6 Avant, and indeed very similar to those of the A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron. It's dominated by the “digital stage” as Audi calls its screen-heavy dashboard. Behind one housing is an 11.9-inch screen for the instruments and a 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen. Buyers can add an impressive head-up display and a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front-seat passenger as well.
Go for lighter trim colours and the “Softwrap” feature becomes more obvious, joining the front doors via a strip of material under the displays that can be finished in a variety of tactile materials.
A large transmission tunnel in the back limits foot room in the middle seat, but otherwise it's quite spacious and comfortable in there. The rear seat back splits and folds 40:20:40 to accommodate large loads, while the quoted boot space behind is as high as 492 litres, depending on model.
How economical will it be?
Officially, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures vary from 4.8-5.6 litres/100km and 126-146g/km, respectively for the 2.0-litre TDI diesel A6. Its engine produces up to 204hp and 400Nm of torque. That's either sent to the front wheels or to all wheels via 'quattro ultra' if fitted. All cars use a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox Audi calls S tronic.
One of the highlights of the updated diesel engine is the addition of 48-volt 'mild-hybrid' technology. Audi terms it MHEV plus (MHEV stands for Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle) as it can actually propel the A6 using electric power while manoeuvring and at very slow speeds.
Its electric motor can produce up to 24hp and 230Nm of torque to do so, assisting the engine while accelerating, and it operates as a generator when decelerating to recharge the system's small lithium-iron-phosphate battery.
What if I don't actually want a diesel engine?
Though a petrol version of the Audi A6 Avant is not yet listed on Audi Ireland's website, it has confirmed that a 2.0 TFSI petrol engine will be offered in the A6 saloon, producing the same peak 204hp as the diesel engine.
It is also known that plug-in hybrid versions of the new A6 will launch within the next few months. Thanks to very low emissions ratings, these are expected to be the lowest-priced models in the lineup, yet with performance exceeding the sole diesel. Fans of high-performance executive cars will be glad to hear there's a 400hp (or so) Audi S6 saloon in the pipeline for 2026.
Irish pricing for the 2025 Audi A6 saloon has yet to be announced in detail, but the starting price for the petrol model is €64,940.