Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2012 Audi A6 TFSI Quattro Auto Tiptronic Sedan. Audi has become an exceptional car over the past decade. It has been a transformation I’ve noticed because of the foreign car repair business I owned in Southern California for many years. It has become one of my favorite cars to drive in today’s world.
Of course it is also among the highest cost cars to own and operate. Interestingly enough those cars all seem to come from Germany. Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. If you like being on the cutting edge of design, styling and innovation in technology and have the money to have all that Audi has earned its place at the top of the most desirable cars to own. There is no question you get what you pay for and if you have a champagne budget this is a great choice.
General Information: Parts from the US and Canada are 1%, Germany 75%; Engine – Hungary Transmission – Germany. It is assembled in Neckarsulm, Germany, Classification is Mid-size.Cars from Audi: – A3, A4, A4 Avant, A5, A6, A6 Avant, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, R8, S4, S5, S6 & TT.
Handling & Performance:
Exceptional handling and you gotta just love the performance in driving range that has increased in recent years. A full tank of gas gets you about 500 miles. That is up from the average range of 300 miles typical of the past few decades.
Styling:
Wonderful.
Fit and Finish:
Excellent.
Cost: Wildly variable. The test car I drove had included about $21,000 in options for a total price of $71,300.
Conveniences and comfort:
Standard equipment is quite good, but there are some Options that you may want to consider. My favorite grouping is referred to as the Innovation Package that includes things like warning sensors while parking and changing lanes; adaptive cruise control, heads up display and power folding mirrors. Cost is $5,800. Could I live without them – of course. If cost were not a limiting factor ‘would’ I buy them – absolutely.
Adaptive cruise is the most interesting to me as evidenced by the fact I miss it a lot when it is NOT on the next test car.
Sensing features are also missed when you go to parking and that familiar beeping isn’t there to warn you of things in the way, and more than once I have avoided moving into a lane that is already occupied and not seen in mirrors. Great stuff.
Consumer Recommendation:
This is a classy looking car and has been drawing more attention and good press for the last 10 years. In the technology area you may want to look at the innovative use of Google Earth in the Nav System where you can view the actual landscape rather than just highways and byways. Really cool.
Recognized Competition:
Audi A6 $42,000, Acura RL $48,000, Acura TL $36,000, BMW 5-Series $45,000, BMW 5-series Gran Turismo $57,000, Cadillac CTS $39,000, Cadillac DTS $47,000, Cadillac STS $47,000, Chrysler 300 $27,000, Hyundai Genesis $34,000, Infiniti M $48,000, Jaguar XF Series $53,000, Lexus GS $47,000, Lexus GS 450h $59,000, Lincoln MKS $42,000, Mercedes Benz CLS-Class $71,000, Mercedes Benz E-Class $50,000, Saab 9-5 $39,000, Volvo S80 $38,000.
Good News:
Comfortable, f-a-s-t, great handling and very good fuel economy possible and a truly lovely looking automobile.
Bad News:
Can be very pricey.
Standard Equipment:
3.0 liter 310 hp supercharged V6 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive, 17” alloy wheels, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with brake assist and ESC (Electronic Stability Control), speed sensitive power steering, leather wrapped steering wheel, electrically adjustable heated exterior power mirrors, leather seating, 8 way power heated front seats, split folding rear seat, climate control, cruise control, keyless start, audio with SIRIUS Satellite, single CD in dash, multi media interface MMI, power glass sunroof, rain and light sensor, tilt & telescopic steering wheel, anti theft alarm, front, side, and side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring.
Gas Stats:
$3.57/ Gal avg. January 5, 2012
for more information.
19 City and 28 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $49,900.
Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@atthewheel.com
Copyright © 2012 – An Automotive Love Affair