Carefully considered styling refinements enhance the perennially popular Audi A6 Saloon and Avant lines.
All models benefit from interior upgrades and new equipment. UK order banks for the latest A6 and A7 Sportback models and their S and RS counterparts will open in May and deliveries will start in the summer.
The basis for the newly updated A6 and A6 Avant ranges is a new SE Executive specification level, which replaces the entry level SE option available up to this point. It ushers in a new, bolder look courtesy of a new front apron incorporating more pronounced air inlets with gloss black horizontal struts, more sculpted side sills and a restyled rear bumper now housing a new diffuser at its lower edge.
The already more sporting stance struck by the S line and top flight Black Edition models has also been subtly enhanced by a new radiator grille with a matt black surround and chrome slats flanked by striking side air inlets also fringed with chrome.
Compatibility with the latest Audi connectivity and entertainment options is the headline news in the updated interiors of the A6 and A7 Sportback models. The Audi smartphone interface is now available for both models in combination with the optional Technology Pack, bringing Apple Car Play and Android Auto to the car.
If an iOS or Android smartphone is connected to the USB port (iOS from 7.1, Android from 5.0 Lollipop), the handset‘s contents such as navigation, phone, music and selected third party apps are offered in a separate MMI menu. They can be accessed conveniently by MMI or voice control. The Audi phone box feature that was already a part of the pack has also taken a step forward – as before it connects smartphones to the on‑board antenna by near-field coupling, but it now also offers the added convenience of inductive charging of compatible handsets (to Qi standard).
Detail upgrades to the standard equipment lists have also been made across the A6, A7 Sportback, S6 and S7 Sportback and A6 allroad ranges, starting with the addition of LED interior lighting, front seat heating, electric lumbar adjustment and elegant Aluminium Ellipse inlays for A6 SE Executive models over and above the previous SE specification.
At the pinnacle of the range, the 560PS RS 6 and RS 7 Sportback and their even more powerful 605PS RS 6 performance and RS 7 Sportback performance counterparts are now available in an expanded palette of matt effect colours including Sepang Blue, Nardo Grey, Glacier White and Floret Silver.
Equipment highlights for every A6 and A7 Sportback model already include bi-xenon or all-LED headlamps with LED tail lights, acoustic front glazing, full leather upholstery, MMI navigation, deluxe four-zone climate control, the Audi Music Interface channelled through the 180-watt Audi Sound System and various versions of the Audi parking system.
The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC is now available to order in Saloon and Estate guise, adding to the recently introduced Coupé model.
Prices begin at £44,460 for the Saloon.
For the first time in the UK, 4MATIC all-wheel drive is also now available across the range for £1,500 extra in the C 200 (Coupé only), C 220 d and C 250 d (Sport and AMG Line trims only).
Nissan has introduced a new special edition of the X-Trail crossover that features many of the car’s most desirable accessories.
The X-Trail Style Edition is on sale now and further enhances the model’s reputation for premium quality, comfort and contemporary design.
Using the range-topping Tekna grade as its starting point, the long list of additional equipment includes alloy sports pedals, chrome door sills, chrome mirror caps, a chrome finisher on the lower boot and striking 19-inch ‘Black Ibiscus’ alloywheels. In addition, there’s extra protective trim on the boot lip and a practical boot floor mat.