New Audi A6 ultra cuts CO2 by up to 14% to 114g/km
Available to order from this week priced from £32,515 OTR, the new A6 TDI ultra is available in Saloon and Avant bodystyles and features a new Euro6-compliant 2.0-litre diesel engine that supersedes the existing 175bhp unit. Power increases to 187bhp and torque from 280 to 295lb.ft, spread from 1,750 to 3,000rpm.
At launch, the new unit will be offered with one transmission choice, in the form of the seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission. This replaces the eight-speed multitronic CVT in four-cylinder models and has been completely redesigned. Later in 2014, manual transmission versions will also become available.
Married up with this transmission, the A6 2.0 TDI ultra offers the lowest economy figures, with up to 64.2mpg with CO2 output of just 114g/km compared to 56.5mpg and 132g/km for the 2.0 TDI 175bhp multitronic. Similarly equipped Avant models offer up to 61.4mpg with 119g/km (outgoing equivalent 55.4mpg, 135g/km).
As a result, Audi says that OTR prices for the TDI ultra 190PS S tronic are lower due to reductions in CO2-related Vehicle Excise Duty rates despite recommended retail prices staying the same.
BiK costs also see a reduction, with the liability for drivers of the A6 ultra with the S tronic transmission falling from 21% in the outgoing version to 17%. This equates to a total annual charge for a 40% tax payer of £2,380 – said to be the lowest liability for a conventionally powered premium executive class car.
The new A6 ultra unit is available with the standard SE, S line and Black Edition trim levels, with just “ultra” badging at the rear used to mark out the models. Standard spec includes full leather upholstery, the MMI Radio Plus with 6.5-inch retractable colour display and DAB digital radio, SD card-based satellite navigation, light and rain sensors, cruise control, keyless go and the Audi parking system plus with acoustic and visual guidance.
Later this year the new A6 2.0 TDI ultra will be followed in the UK by ultra versions of the A4, A5 Coupé and A5 Sportback with CO2 emissions from 104g/km.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.
