Audi A6 will unveil the next generation A6 as a prototype in 2009 and a production version will follow in 2010. More modern and sporty, the new A6 will use the same design cues as the latest A5 and A4. It will compete with the next generation BMW 5-Series, the Infiniti M and Mercedes E-Class.
The 2010 A6 will feature for the first time the LED day headlights, which were used only in the S6. Also the interior will feature a significant change. It will have the same bumpers used in the A5, new air intakes and totally redesigned lights.
In the same way as the newly A4, the future A6 will have the front body overhang drastically shortened and the bonnet and wheelbase will be both longer than before.
Most of the component will be made from weight-saving aluminum. The results are expected to be impressive: supremely dynamic road behavior and effortlessly precise handling.
Audi A6 will be based on Audi’s MLP platform also used in many vehicles from the Audi’s line-up: the A5/S5, Q5, next generation A4, A7 and A8.
Under the hood we will see a two-litre FSI turbo engine and also a four-cylinder Diesel engine. There will be 3.2-litre V6 engine with an output of 260 hp and 4.2-litre V8 FSI direct injection petrol’s with a maximum power of 350 hp. The S-line version will feature standard Bi-xenon-lights and will be powered by the Lamborghini’s V10 engine, with an output of 450 hp.
The 2010 A6 will have a top speed limited to 155 mph and will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 6 seconds.
Competitors
2010 BMW 5-Series
BMW has already “in works” the next instalment of their successful executive saloon. Several test mules have been spotted, pointing that a production ready 5 Series is to be released in the next three or four years. The current BMW 5 Series is around for more than 4 years, meaning that it is well in its middle age, and needing a successor around the year 2010.
It is expected that the next generation executive BMW will grow in pretty much every direction, including wheelbase and wheel-track. In order to keep up, the wheels will follow the same trend, and standard equipment will feature 17” rims. Sports versions (like the M5), are expected to use 20” wheels or bigger.
Technologically, the future 5 Series will be as surprising and uncompromising as ever. The only difference will be that, in the overall tendency of the market, there will be an increased attention to the ecological and fuel consumption issues. Performance will be even better than before, helped by those components that give the BMW name, the power units. Starting from a 2.5 litre straight 6 with 220 bhp, the petrol engine range will extend up to the brand new 410 bhp V8 biturbo. Four diesel engines will also be made available, ranging between 2.0 and 3.0 litres, with single and biturbo systems and offering over 300 bhp.
Also in the works is a more powerful version of the M5’s 5.0-liter V10. The 5-series will have a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.
2009 Mercedes E-Class
Mercedes is going to unveil a completely new E-Class in 2009 code-named W212. The design will be inspired from the new C-Class, S-Class and a few cues from the CLS-Class. It will come as a main competitor for BMW 5-Series and the Audi A6. The car will be unveiled at 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The 2009 E-Class will have a more aggressive look as a result of the design cues taken from the CLS-Class. The glass surfaces will get smaller and the flank of the car will suffers from the usual creeping up of sheet metal. The wheels will be at least 18". An important change will be the shape of the 4 headlights: no more will they be round, they will be shaped like squarish teardrops.
The basic power plant will consist of four-cylinder engines with the horsepower rating starting at 175 bhp. The V6 and V8 engine will also be available delivering from 136 hp to 514 hp. The W212 will be electronically limited to 155 mph and will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 6.5 seconds. An E63 AMG model will be also unveiled powered by a normally aspirated, 500-plus-bhp 6.3-litre V8 eng
