Ian Lamming goes back to black in the latest A6 from Audi
CLICK on the satnav and what previously displayed the aircon controls on a lower screen becomes a blank page.
On this you can use your finger to write, which proves too much of a temptation for my teenage son who draws rude things and sniggers, which is not the original purpose, of course.
When I retake control and start to outline the letters of a postcode the computerised voice speaks back to confirm the symbol. Talk about going full circle. Here I am thinking that technology will be the death knell of handwriting when in the latest Audi A6 the two work in perfect harmony.
The touchscreens and virtual dash of the latest A6 really set it apart. They look great in what is a glorious interior and they feel good too thanks to haptics which operate with an audible click.
It’s strange how this makes a difference to their operation somehow making a button out of a touchscreen. Wonderfully tactile they mimic the workings of a top quality hi-fi. Remember those? Google it if you are young.
Speaking of hi-fi this model comes with a superb upgraded Bang and Olufsen to delight your aural senses.
The result is an overarching feeling of quality which is complemented by beautiful trim and superb sports seats.
When you are in an A6 you can’t help feeling special. Without even turning a wheel you feel happy to be aboard.
What that does on long journeys is take the strain, relieve the tedium and bring joy to the whole driving experience.
On a 200mile jaunt for work there were no aches or pains or even agitation to be back home, so pleasurable was the journey.
Grab the flat bottom steering wheel and press the starter button and the enjoyment begins.
This particular A6 is a plug-in hybrid so the 2.0 litre petrol engine remains dormant from start-up as it will pull away on the electric motor alone.
If the fancy takes you and the battery is charged it will run for 41 miles on pure electric which will be enough for many people to get to work and back.
When there’s juice aplenty the miles per gallon soars to beyond 200. When it’s flat, your petrol average is going to be around 37.
The plug-in version of the hybrid also packs a greater punch, 299PS compared to the normal A6’s 265PS.
On the road there is bags of power in all conditions as well as oodles of refinement. It is smooth, fast and very capable.
Handling all that performance is a breeze thanks to the legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive and for such a large accommodating vehicle helm responses are remarkably agile. In the pouring rain it is just what you need boosting confidence through the floods while others tiptoe around for fear of aquaplaning.
Black Edition sets the tone with a cool darkness to the grille, mirror housings and what otherwise might have been chrome trim.
Add in a livery of Chronos grey metallic and you have a low slung looker that is uber cool and eye-catching, especially with the magnificent 20in alloys.
Inside, the black spreads across the seats, trim and headcloth and somehow seems to sharpen the graphics of the dash and fascia.
The new A6 is a car difficult to fault, so why bother, that would be churlish.
It is mean and moody inside and out, boasts enviable dynamics and performance and just clicks the moment you sit behind the wheel.
