Audi offers this A6 with a wide range of engines, mostly with the brand's latest mild hybrid tech. The range kicks off with a couple of 2.0-litre four cylinder models, the first of them being the 40 TDI diesel (with 204PS). From that point on in the range, all A6 derivatives get quattro 4WD, starting with the other four cylinder model, the petrol-powered 45 TFSI quattro (which offers 245PS). Alternatively, there's a plug-in hybrid petrol model, the A6 50 TFSIe, with a combined output of 299PS and an electric driving range when fully charged of up to 34 miles. Next up lie a couple of conventional 3.0-litre six cylinder models with mild hybrid tech, the 50 TDI quattro diesel (286PS) and the 55 TFSI quattro petrol (340PS).
If you're happy with the Avant estate body shape, there's also the allroad A6 Avant model with its air suspension and raised ride height. The allroad quattro model offers buyers three engine choices; a slightly de-tuned 231PS version of the six cylinder 3.0-litre TDI diesel unit, badged '45 TDI'. And the two aforementioned six cylinder units, the 50 TDI and the 55 TFSI. At the top of the range sit two bespoke sporting models. The S6 quattro uses the 3.0-litre six cylinder TDI diesel engine in an uprated 350PS state of tune. And the top RS 6 quattro (another Avant-only variant) has a 4.0-litre TFSI twin turbo V8 with 600PS, the result being 600PS, 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds, 124mph in 12 seconds and one queasy looking Labrador.
As you'd expect in this segment, all A6 models are exclusively equipped with automatic transmission. That'll be a seven-speed S tronic gearbox, unless you've opted for a 3.0-litre six cylinder diesel or the RS 6 (in which case the transmission will be an 8-speed tiptronic set-up to handle the extra torque). In conjunction with the tiptronic transmission, the quattro configuration is based on the familiar self-locking centre differential format, while the S tronic transmission works with more efficient 'ultra' technology, which is capable of engaging the rear axle instantly whenever needed but decouples it during cruising to maximise efficiency. The driver can select various driving profiles via the Audi drive select system - with 'efficiency, 'comfort', 'dynamic' options, plus 'auto' if you can't make up your mind and 'individual' if you want to set your own throttle, steering and gearshift parameters.