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The continued existence of executive saloons is something to be celebrated, for they are loved but by a minority of drivers today. Everyone else is addicted to large SUVs, despite their impracticality in a built-up city like ours.
So, the fact that the big three German luxury carmakers continue to churn out A6s, 5 Series, and E-Class models is something to be thankful for. These brands could have followed the money and discontinued their saloons. But executive sedans still have a place in the industry, despite their dwindling numbers.
An SUV is big, brash, and many times, rude. When you need a car that's sleek, swanky, and exudes quiet class, it's the executive saloon that comes to mind.
An established contender
Audi is no stranger to building these large sedans, for the A6 traces its lineage to the Audi 100, which was first produced in 1968. The latest model is now in its ninth generation, and its design is clearly an evolution of the previous car's.
That means slim head lights that flank a Singleframe grille, giving the car its aggressive, robot-like mien. In keeping with its more futuristic character, the previous pull-type door handles have been replaced by electronic latches inside the hollow niches. Meanwhile, the rear end gets taillights and an LED band to accent the car's width.
The coolest design features are the 'dimples' on the bonnet, and the curvaceous boot lid. The former makes the A6 look more dynamic, while the latter - apart from enhancing aerodynamics - makes it attractive to view from the side.
Inside, the cockpit is now dominated by a 'digital stage' that combines the instrument panel and infotainment into one large display, as opposed to two separate screens in the preceding model. But there are a few things you'll need to get used to.
For starters, the layout options for the instrument cluster are limited. You can change some of the info displayed, but the centrally located round dial always remains. Previously, there were several layouts to choose from. Not anymore.
Secondly, the MMI (infotainment) has become more smartphone like. You can drag-and-drop icons to the shortcut menu and create new folders by dragging icons over other icons, like you would do on an iPhone. It's more interactive and customisable, but it also makes you miss the older MMI because it had fewer functions and was more intuitive.
Like many cars today, the A6 also has a voice-activated virtual assistant, and the car can also learn routines, which is like the function in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. That means it can learn to automatically set the temperature to a certain degree at certain times of the day or adjust it up or down when the ambient temperature hits a certain level.
Now while these features are welcome, the new haptic switchgear is not. If you've ever owned or spent time in an older generation Audi model, you'll miss having real buttons and switches. Not only do they look and sound better (Audi has tried to make the haptic switchgear have the same "click" noise), they also feel better.
Tactility is a small detail in the larger picture but in a premium car, it's the little details that count. Haptic switches mar the well-made interior.
A solid build, soft-touch materials, and doors that close with a reassuring "thunk" are all great. But when you see and touch these buttons, everything seems less impressive. It's a good thing Audi said it will bring back real switches when the model is updated.
That aside, the rest of the cabin is up to spec, with the 2,923mm wheelbase contributing to generous rear legroom. The backseat itself is supportive and would bode well for occupants on longer drives. However, it's best for two rather than three passengers, as the tall floor protrusion makes things awkward for anyone in the middle.
Serene progress
The A6 Advanced is not aimed at keen drivers. Powering it is a longitudinally mounted turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 201bhp and 340Nm of torque. These figures are sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed S tronic (dual-clutch) gearbox.
Acceleration is respectable rather than exciting, with the A6 taking 8.2 seconds to finish the century sprint. Pinning the accelerator pedal makes the A6 move with urgency in a linear fashion. The four-cylinder engine's vocals are well-suppressed - you can barely make out the gruff notes it emits.
This refinement stems from the extensive acoustic glazing and sound insulation that Audi says is up to 30 percent better than in the preceding A6. Indeed, the large sedan is quiet on the go - there's no wind noise at expressway speeds, and thanks to the use of comfort-biased tyres, not much road noise either.
The A6 is in its element gently cruising on the expressway or when driven gently on smaller roads. Naturally, it doesn't enjoy spirited driving. Enter a corner too quickly and understeer becomes obvious, as the nose resists your efforts to change direction quickly.
Besides, since the suspension provides a pliant ride, the temptation is to take it easy and not make the tyres squeal. It's far better to enjoy the car's quiet and cushy character - a welcome respite from long days at the office.
Ponderings
The latest A6 is a marked improvement over the previous model in numerous areas. It is quieter, plusher, and feels even more upmarket than before. It is attractively priced, too: At time of writing, it costs less than a BMW 520i, and much less than a Mercedes-Benz E200.
Of course, the A6 has its bugbears. It doesn't feel eager despite its performance figures, the backseat only caters to occupants in the outer seats, and the infotainment has become more complex. In addition, those haptic switches cheapen the interior feel.
But look past these shortcomings and you'll admit that the A6 is impressive. It is sleek, swanky, and exudes quiet class. If you're tired of bulky and impractical SUVs, this saloon deserves your consideration.
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