The daytime running lights are generated by 24 white LEDs. Blue LEDs, which emit yellow light (a technical trick), provide the turn signal lights. In the rear, the trunk opening is wider and gives even better access to its larger 530-litre cargo area. The taillight design also matches the new shape of the front headlights. Inside the A6, Audi engineers have crafted a beautiful space that feels expansive and light, whether you’re sitting in the front or the back. The seats are well padded and very comfortable, and the dash illumination is spectacular when evening comes around. The cockpit area has a wrap-around inlay that arcs across the dash and runs into the front doors. The wide centre console and centre stack with a multi function monitor screen are oriented toward the driver. The screen is stored horizontally in the dash and automatically slides out into an upright position, when you start the engine.
I drove three different engine versions of the A6. The 3.0-litre TFSI gas engine, the first to arrive in Canada, uses a supercharger to boost intake air pressure and it can produce 300 horsepower. Needless to say, it’s no slouch and what I really love about the A6 is that it feels like you’re at the wheel of a smaller car, as it’s surprisingly agile for a big car. Hopefully Canadian buyers won’t be waiting too long for the 3.0-litre TDI engine version - it’s great! Super quiet (for a diesel) and it has terrific low and mid-range torque qualities. It accelerated the A6 up some wickedly steep and twisty hills on the island almost as fast as it did on a level road. Too bad we’re not getting the 2.0-litre TDI, as I drove one with a six-speed manual and really liked it. Yes, it’s noisier than the 3.0-litre TDI and doesn’t have as much power, but it is the most fuel efficient A6. Audi didn’t have the 2.0-litre TFSI gas engine version ready for this event. The all-new 2012 Audi A6 will arrive at Canadian dealerships in the third quarter of 2011 and pricing and equipment details will be announced closer to the release date.
In the same theme, smooth, elegant surfaces above the beltline contrast with broad, rugged-looking side sills. Big exterior door handles look functional and are well designed and easy to grab. Like a car, the Touareg is built on a unit body chassis. It was designed to be a highly rigid structure, so that it won't bend or twist even in the most tortuous off-road driving conditions. We were able to open and close the doors when the Touareg was teetering on two or three wheels, an impressive feat, especially considering Volkswagen's tight fitment of body panels. This rigidity contributes to the Touareg's ride comfort and high-speed stability. The doors are completely sealed when closed, providing a quiet cabin and allowing the Touareg to ford up to 22 inches of standing water. Like many SUVs, the Touareg features a two-stage rear hatch with a glass window that can be raised separately. It has a neat feature that many owners may never discover: The glass hatch can be hard for shorter people to reach when it's open.