2015 Audi A6 Matrix Test Drive Score Sheet

At first glance you may struggle to spot the changes to the updated A6. But look a little closer and you’ll find that they actually make quite an impact. Immediately, the front end looks more striking. The added chrome on the signature Audi grille makes it looks sharper, while the new headlights make it look almost sinister. In profile, the multi-spoke alloys give it the appearance of being more hunkered down. And around the back the massive rectangular chrome exhaust ports put the finishing touches on a subtle, yet purposeful, redesign.

Step inside the cabin, and it doesn’t get much better than this. There are beautifully crafted wooden inlays running across the dashboard and the door panels that look old-world and modern at the same time.

The new infotainment system, or MMI system, is more intuitive while the display is a lot crisper. The music system comes with 10GB of memory, and the Bose sound system, with its 14 speakers, encourages you to hit the “are you crazy” level in the cabin. The 8-inch multimedia screen is easy to use and can be paired to your smart phone. The cabin is understated – just how we like it – and it has plenty of space for driver and passengers of all sizes to comfortably find their personal space.

In terms of refinement, the 1,968cc in-line four-cylinder diesel is as smooth as they come. Keeping one eye on performance, the A6 comes with an eager all-new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, which encourages you to indulge in short acceleration bursts. With an increased power output of 7%, it now pumps out 188bhp, and – combined with the new gearbox – feels a lot faster on the road. It certainly feels like all the car you’ll ever need in the real world.

The trouble with most Audis is the difficulty in telling them apart. With this one, though, the Matrix LED headlights certainly help it stand out from the crowd. It’s a smart move by Audi to provide full LED headlights as a standard feature on the A6 as its rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class already offer them. However, Audi knows how to add a touch of drama as well – since the slow swipe of the turn indicators adds to the wow factor of the lights.

All told, the updates to the A6 have the intended affect of making the existing 5 Series and E-Class feel dated. So the A6 holds the bragging rights in this competitive segment – for now at least!

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