1996 Audi A6 Review

The slick Audi A6 sedan is one reason why this German automaker is making a sales splash in the United States after years of lazy results.

Audi has nearly doubled its 1996 calendar year U.S. sales through August--the month they rose a whopping 195 percent over sales in August, 1995. The A6 registered almost a 70 percent sales gain last month, compared with the year-ago figure.

The solidly built 1996 A6 comes as a $32,300 sedan or $34,000 sedan-derived station wagon. The A6 has standard front-wheel drive with a new electronic differential lock that improves traction on slippery roads. Optional is Audi's permanently engaged Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which costs $1,550.

The A6, which isn't changed much for the 1997 model year, has benefitted from an advertising campaign that describes the all-wheel-drive wagon as offering some of the versatility of a sport/utility vehicle while providing carlike friendliness.

That claim would be a stretch if it came from most automakers, but the A6's rigid construction, outstanding roadability and roominess make it an alternative to a sport/ute for those who don't want a truck.

The front-drive A6 sedan, which I recently tested, lacks the grip of all-wheel-drive A6 Quattro models. But this 3,428-pound four-door still offers plenty of traction and is 265 pounds lighter than the all-wheel-drive sedan.

The lighter weight--and relief from the all-wheel-drive system's added drivetrain friction--allows a front-drive A6 to accelerate faster and get a few more miles per gallon in the city and on highways. Figure on about 19 m.p.g. in the city and the mid-20s on highways.

The 1995 A6 was very lively with a five-speed manual transmission, but most ordered it with an automatic. Thus, only a four-speed automatic is offered for 1996. It shifts smoothly but slows acceleration because automatics typically soak up some power. The 0-60 m.p.h. time was 8.2 seconds with the manual but is 9.5 seconds with the automatic--or 10.9 with the automatic and all-wheel-drive system.

The 2.8-liter, 172-horsepower V-6 can be run on 87-octane fuel. It is smooth and quiet but provides little torque at low speeds. A heavy throttle foot thus is needed to keep engine revs up for the fastest acceleration.

Audi, which has built outstanding rally/race cars, plans a ``Sport'' manual-transmission version of the next-generation A6, but it might be more than a year before we see it.

While no hot rod, the A6 is fairly quick in town and is a nice highway cruiser. A refined, luxurious European sedan in the Old World sense, it has a roomy--if rather somber-looking--interior with walnut trim. The front seats are outstanding, and there is ample room for four 6-footers and their luggage. The interior is generally quiet, although there is a fair amount of tire noise.

Radio and climate controls are difficult to use while driving, and it's easy to accidentally activate the wiper controls when you reach for the ignition key. Also, the headlight control lever is far too close to the turn signal stalk.

The A6's power steering is overly light but is quick and accurate. The ride, handling and braking are first-rate. You would have to be driving way over your head to get into trouble with this car.

Styling is far from sensational, but the A6's aerodynamic lines will keep it looking contemporary for a long time. Audi has a way with styling; many forget that the 1983 Audi 5000S was the first modern streamlined sedan, not the 1986 Ford Taurus.

While the A6 doors seem small, Audi has given the car big door openings. Thus, it's easy to open the doors in tight parking spaces and to get in and out. Clever.

The A6 is loaded with equipment, including air bags, anti-lock brakes, automatic climate control, AM/FM/cassette, power sunroof, cruise control, power driver seat, sports instrumentation with tachometer and power windows and locks. The station wagon gets a two-place rear child seat.

The A6's few options include $1,500 leather-covered seats, $550 pearlescent metallic paint that looks great and a $1,030 option package that contains items such as a power front passenger seat and remote keyless entry system.

With cars such as the A6, Audi should have a solid future here.