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By Jonathan Crouch

You can still have a combustion-powered A6 Saloon. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the C9-era version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 42

Audi aims to strike the right note by referencing the past in bringing us an A6 Saloon very much of the present. This super-slippery C9-era version is for people not quite ready for the A6 e-tron EV - and it's very 'Audi'.

Backgroundword count: 110

It was Audi way back in the '80s, who set the trend for aero-optimised upper mid-sized executive saloons. The Audi 100 of that era evolved into the first-generation C4-era A6 of 1994 and through four further A6 generations, Ingolstadt has explored sleek styling in this segment more than any other brand. Culminating in this C9-generation A6 Saloon; the most slippery combustion-powered Audi to ever enter production. The 'combustion-powered' caveat here is important; the completely separate all-electric A6 e-tron model that sells alongside this car is more slippery still. That model, like this one, is also available in Avant estate form. But it's the four-door combustion A6 we concentrate on here.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 385

In a market where rivals are starting to wonder whether they should have been quite so hasty in dropping diesel power, this A6 Saloon celebrates the black pump, reserving arguably its most sophisticated engine tech for the TDI version, which uses the company's usual four cylinder 2.0-litre unit. As with the A5, this means installation of the brand's MHEV plus system, which offers a big step forward from Ingolstadt's previous mild hybrid technology. For one thing, it uses a much bigger e-motor, providing 24PS and 230Nm of torque. For another, it acts as more than just a starter generator, also able to drive the car on its own at parking speeds. Plus, using a brake-by-wire set-up, the system can also regenerate energy at up to 25kW, so the compact lithium battery will always be topped up. As we said, the 2.0 TDI unit in question is a familiar one - and the quattro 4WD system it must be paired with is familiar too. Total output is 204PS, which is the same as the alternative four cylinder engine on offer, the 2.0 TFSI petrol. This can only be front-driven and makes 62mph in 8.3s en route to 144mph, respectively 1.3s and 5mph slower than the diesel. The UK won't get the 3.0 V6 TFSI petrol unit offered on the continent. But we do get a PHEV e-Hybrid powertrain, which is based around the 2.0 TFSI four cylinder petrol unit and offers 299PS and 64 miles of EV range from its 25.9kWh battery (20.7kWh usable). That's a little better than a BMW 530e, but a little worse than a Mercedes E 300 e. The A6 e-hybrid offers 450Nm of torque and 62mph takes 6.0s en route to 155mph. Two operating modes are available: 'EV' and 'hybrid'. In EV mode, the plug-in hybrid models run solely on electric power, while in hybrid mode, the hybrid management system maintains a specific charge level as needed in order to save enough electrical energy for later use. Across the line-up, Audi claims drive dynamics have been improved with this C9-generation design. To that end, there's a stiffer torsion bar, stiffer control arm bushings, a more rigid steering rack and increased front camber. All of this is supposed to improve steering feel and road feedback. Plus the sleeker bodywork should help refinement.

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