The new Audi A6 Avant redefines the art of first-class travel, seamlessly blending exceptional comfort with dynamic handling prowess. Through meticulous engineering and rigorous testing, Audi has crafted a vehicle where every driving system operates in perfect harmony, delivering a signature Audi driving experience. Whether embarking on long highway journeys or navigating winding country roads, the A6 Avant promises a refined and engaging ride that caters to both driver and passengers alike.
Powertrain and Performance Details: While specific engine and horsepower figures are not detailed in this press release, the emphasis on “MHEV plus technology” indicates a sophisticated mild-hybrid system. This technology enables partially electric driving, provides a boost of additional torque for enhanced responsiveness, and allows for energy recovery during deceleration. The press release highlights that the transitions between the engine and electric motor are imperceptible to the driver, resulting in a more spontaneous and direct response to the accelerator pedal while maintaining optimal traction. The intelligent blending brake control system further enhances efficiency by prioritizing energy regeneration (up to 25 kW) during deceleration, with friction brakes engaging only under harder braking.
The Quintessential Audi Driving Feel: Driving the A6 Avant immediately conveys its Audi pedigree. The vehicle’s inherent strengths shine particularly on extended trips, offering an exceptionally comfortable ride that defines the business class experience. Key contributors to this refined feel include the adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering (available on quattro variants). These technologies significantly enhance maneuverability at lower speeds and noticeably improve precision and stability when traveling at higher velocities.
Suspension Innovations for Varied Preferences: Audi offers a range of suspension options for the A6 Avant, including standard and sport suspensions (both with steel springs) and the aforementioned adaptive air suspension. All configurations benefit from new tuning refinements. The adaptive air suspension, in particular, allows drivers to tailor the driving experience through the Audi drive select modes: comfort, balanced, and dynamic, providing a wide spectrum of ride and handling characteristics.
Development Philosophy: A Symphony of Systems: According to Peter Knauer, responsible for suspension development and validation at Audi, the A6 Avant prioritizes a harmonious blend of a smooth, comfortable ride with sporty handling capabilities. This philosophy ensures a first-class driving feel in diverse situations, whether on smooth highways, uneven surfaces, in stop-and-go traffic, or during overtaking maneuvers. The result is a driving characteristic that is precise, controlled, solid, connected, and well-balanced – a DNA present in every Audi model, albeit with configurations tailored to each vehicle’s specific concept.
Extensive Evaluation: Subjectivity Meets Objectivity: Achieving this perfect balance involves a comprehensive evaluation process that combines computer simulations and extensive real-world test drives. While objective measurements and target specifications are crucial, the subjective assessments of experienced Audi developers are equally vital. Their nuanced feedback on aspects like steering feedback, steering effort, and tracking in various driving scenarios (including ABS braking on different surfaces like aquaplaning and ice) contribute significantly to the final calibration.
Ride Comfort on Diverse Terrains: The A6 Avant undergoes rigorous testing on rough roads with both transverse and longitudinal irregularities to ensure stability and comfortable suspension and damping. Engineers specifically evaluate the harmonious expansion and compression of the suspension when driving over large corrugations. Knauer notes that the new A6, especially with the comfortable air suspension, exhibits a remarkable ability to “float over the road.”
High-Speed Dynamics and Maneuverability: High-speed tests and handling courses are essential for fine-tuning the balance between stability and steering precision. Audi emphasizes controlled handling through precise and predictable turn-in during cornering. While the A6 Avant prioritizes comfort in load transfer situations compared to overtly sporty models, it still adheres to predefined performance targets. Furthermore, the vehicle’s excellent maneuverability in city traffic at low speeds and stable straight-line tracking on highways contribute to its overall ease of control.
MHEV Plus: An Integral Component of Handling: The MHEV plus technology plays a crucial role in achieving the signature Audi driving experience by ensuring seamless interaction between all driving systems. The engine and transmission management, along with the suspension control systems, are meticulously fine-tuned to work in perfect synchronization. Steffen Zäpfel, a driving and energy system developer at Audi, highlights the challenge and opportunity of balancing comfort and spontaneous responsiveness with the hybrid powertrain. The MHEV plus system’s ability to provide additional torque enhances the directness of the accelerator response without compromising traction.
Intelligent Deceleration and Energy Recovery: The sophisticated MHEV plus system also contributes to efficient deceleration by intelligently recovering electrical energy (up to 25 kW) and feeding it back into the battery. The integrated, blending-capable brake control system ensures smooth, pressure-free braking and maximizes regeneration in most situations, minimizing the use of friction brakes. Friction braking only occurs when the driver applies more significant pressure to the brake pedal. The development process from the outset focuses on achieving an optimal balance between all systems to deliver the highest possible level of ride quality.
The Radar Chart: Documenting the Harmony: All fine-tuning efforts are meticulously documented by Audi’s developers in the form of a radar chart, a model-specific template used across the entire Audi portfolio. Ultimately, the more balanced and sensitively calibrated the suspension and drive systems are to each other, the more controlled and dynamic the driving feel, both in everyday driving scenarios and when pushing the vehicle to its handling limits.
Summary:
- The new Audi A6 Avant prioritizes a comfortable ride and dynamic handling.
- Adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering enhance maneuverability and stability.
- MHEV plus technology provides additional torque and enables energy recovery.
- Engine and transmission management are fine-tuned for seamless operation.
- Extensive testing includes subjective and objective evaluations.
- Focus on balanced suspension and damping for various road conditions.
- High-speed tests ensure stability and precise steering.
- MHEV plus contributes to responsive acceleration and efficient deceleration.
- Development progress is documented using a radar chart.
- The goal is a controlled and dynamic Audi driving experience.
Disclaimer: Performance specifications and technological features are based on the information provided in the press release. Actual vehicle specifications may vary.
Source : Audi
AI Assistance: Gemini
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