You don’t hear the term ‘limo’ a great deal anymore. This is chiefly because the traditional idea of a limousine is of a luxurious sedan-style vehicle, and with the proliferation of SUVs, there are less of them around. But the Audi A6 has long been an exception, and the first look at the new A6 Sedan shows that the idea of the luxury limousine is alive and well and in particularly good shape.

Of course the Audi A6 has never really sat with the idea of just being a sedate, luxury conveyance, tending more towards the sportier side of motoring, and this new model definitely furthers that trend.

The new car, premiered just a month after the new A6 Avant, manages to combine a sense of elegance with an unmistakably athletic flair. This performance bent is born out by the drag coefficient (Cd value) of just 0,23 which makes it the ‘slipperiest’ series production model with a combustion engine that Audi has ever produced.

The aerodynamics also contribute to the vehicle’s acoustics, which, combined with sound insulation that has been improved by up to 30 percent on the previous model, provides the sort of in-car quiet you would expect from a top tier limousine.

Numerous devices have been used to achieve this result, from air curtains to control airflow around the front wheels and down the sides of the car, as well as two separately controllable cool-air intakes behind the newly designed Singleframe grille. But to the naked eye, the aerodynamic shape of the new A6 is obvious and the Sedan has a profile that tapers to the elegant rear more like a coupe than a large sedan, despite its five-metre length (499cm to be precise), 1.88 metres width (not including wing mirrors) and 2.927 metre wheelbase.

Riding on 19 or 19-inch alloy rims made of diamond-cut aluminium further adds to the sporty overall look and the addition of the new switchable panoramic glass roof, which effectively covers the entire roof area and can be switched from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button, adds a another design element to the sleek body – albeit one with a practical application.

This also adds another dimension to the impressive interior, which offers tremendous accommodation for passengers thanks to the A6’s significant wheelbase. Up front, the new interior architecture lends itself perfectly to the dimensions and luxurious feel of the new A6, with its digital stage based around the MMI panoramic display with the option of adding the additional 10.9-inch MMI passenger display. 

The combination of Audi virtual cockpit with an 11.9-inch display and the 14.5-inch MMI touch display are oriented towards the driver, given that this is overmuch a performance Sedan, with options like the new configurable head-up display (HUD) available to add.

But despite the cutting-edge technology, there is no denying the sumptuous feel of the cabin with its high-quality materials and masterful execution. Selected cloths, faux leather or Dinamica in the door panels and armrests create a comfortable, refined ambiance, particularly after dark, when the contoured ambient lighting adds another dimension and feel.

Perfectly in keeping with the luxurious limousine theme, inclusions like the Bang & Olufsen sound system includes two additional speakers in each of the front headrests in its top specification for an even more immersive sound experience. While options like servo-assist door closing, the four-zone climate control and air quality package with ioniser and fine dust sensor create an atmosphere of pure calm and luxury.

As to the A6 Sedan’s sporty side and the new model continues that trend, with two petrol and one TDI engines at launch* (Australian specification not confirmed at time of writing), with MHEV on both the TDI and the top specification V6 model.

Made up of a a 48-volt battery, a belt alternator starter, and the new powertrain generator with integrated power electronics, the MHEV system means that the A6 is capable of fully-electric operation for parking and and slow manoeuvring, as well as in slow-moving traffic or even out on the freeway when coasting.

The Powertrains generator also regenerates up to 25kW of power when braking and the 48-volt system enables the use of an electrically driven air-conditioning compressor which drives the likes of air-conditioning when the A6’s engine is switched off at the lights for example.

At its international launch the A6 will be offered with a front-wheel drive 2.0 TFSI producing 150kW and 340Nm of torque, as well as a 2.0 TDI power plant also outputting 150kW but with 400Nm of torque and available in front-wheel drive and quattro ultra four-wheel drive.

The top specification 3.0-litre six-cylinder TFSI power plant outputs 270kW of power and 550Nm of torque between 1700 and 4000rpm with power down to all four wheels via a quattro ultra system. That’s enough to see the A6 rocket from standstill to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds in V6 specification, very much cementing its sports credentials.

Of course power is nothing without control, and the handling package for the new A6 includes, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering for the quattro variants and optional adaptive air suspension with electronically controlled damping. Audi has also improved the interplay between the suspension control and drive systems in the new A6 and the integrated brake control system, controlled dampers and the engine management system work together even faster and more precisely.

In terms of steering, the standard electromechanical progressive steering can also be upgraded to all-wheel steering in conjunction with the quattro variants, giving greater manoeuvring at low speeds and significantly enhanced stability and agility at high speeds.

The result is a package that is both fast and surefooted, giving the A6 an undeniably sporty dynamic but without compromising its ‘magic carpet’ ride and comfort when driven more sedately. The new, sportier styling likewise does not come at the expense of the A6 Sedan’s elegant image, making for a car that is equally at home parked in the forecourt of a five-star hotel or hunkering down on a twisty mountain road.

The A6 is a model range that has long been a favourite among discerning customers looking for a large, luxury Sedan, but one that also satisfies a desire for performance and handling as and when required. Audi has worked hard to ensure that this latest iteration of the A6 shifts the needle markedly interns of its design and aerodynamics, as well as significant improvements to the drivetrain for maximum efficiency and minimal emissions. The result is something very special. The new A6 Sedan offers another vehicle for customers to consider within the A6 range, and while the A6 Sedan has not been confirmed for Australia, the all-new A6 e-tron models  are bound for Australia in the first half of this year.