Audi's all-new A6 on the way

The seventh generation Audi A6 is on the way in April. The model line dates back to 1968 and the Audi 100. The current generation has sold 1.16 million worldwide in the last six years. Emissions have been reduced and fuel efficiency improved with the model. This is helped by it being 80kg lighter, thanks mainly to the use of aluminium.

The entry level model is the manual 2.0 TDI SE at €42,500 ex-work. For the on-the-road price, add €800. This model is positioned in band B (road tax of €156). The automatic 2.0 TDI is set to arrive latter in August.

Electromechanical steering boosts driving feedback as well as contributing to more economical driving. Enhanced safety features now include 'night vision' which can detect and highlight hazards ahead, like a pedestrian walking along a dark road. And the 'S' level gets the higher-spec Xenon front headlights with LED bulbs. .

A Multi-media interface (MMI) has an 8in screen for Sat-Nav display (including Google link), etc. Audi will offer seven engine types in Ireland, with the 3.0 TFSI quattro (petrol) at €62,750 topping the bill. In addition, the 3.0 TDI V6 (204 bhp), with multitronic gearbox slots in to Band B, and will sell for €50,700. Dealer demo models will be in dealerships in mid-March, with first delivers a few weeks later. Audi expect to sell somewhere between 300 and 500 here this year.