The stereotypical executive saloon meant for businessmen is often unfairly dismissed as boring by motoring fans.
This widely held point-of-view is derived from the belief that since most of these professionals wear shirts with starched collars and matching silk neckties, they must be mundane fellows who often choose equally unexciting cars.
Businessmen, however, can be interesting people with innovative ideas. Logistics company Fedex, for example, was founded by Frederick W. Smith, whose university professor gave him a “C” on his term paper outlining how a company specialising in overnight deliveries could be successful.
Meanwhile, investors initially thought that Twitter’s micro-blogging service wouldn’t work, because the idea of limiting users to 140 characters per “tweet” sounded absurd.
Handwriting recognition means fewer turns of the MMI’s control knob.
Both firms’ detractors were, of course, proven wrong. Fedex today employs more than 280,000 employees worldwide and has a fleet of over 600 aircraft serving 220 countries. And Twitter was recently valued at US$1 billion, so its critics are the ones looking like twits now.
The same holds true for the Audi A6 featured here. Despite its well-proportioned exterior, the car does not (at first glance) possess the outright handsome looks of, say, BMW’s 5 Series saloon. But there’s no lack of lustre when it comes to the Audi’s stellar interior.
Like an exec who loves his gadgets, the Audi A6 is full of high-tech kit. The MMI (multimedia interface) system, for instance, incorporates a touch-pad where users can trace the first letter of their destination’s name into the navigation computer.
There’s a sharp heads-up display that eliminates the need to take one’s eyes off the road, and an active lane assist function that alerts the driver when the car starts to veer into the neighbouring lane.
Rear bench features dual-zone climate control, while the well-built cockpit offers great seating positions.
CEOs who like to intimidate rivals should equip their A6 with the optional LED headlights and Night Vision Assistant (these add $16k to the car’s price). The former never fails to make road hogs give way, while the latter gives you a leg-up on both safety and your on-road competition.
Both “weapons” are perfect complements to the car’s athletic performance (despite its 1740kg kerb weight), which is delivered by the supercharged 3-litre V6 engine. Acceleration is linear even in the “Sport” setting, but turns urgent in manual mode. Don’t let the hushed cabin lull you, however – the century dash is achieved in as little as 5.5 seconds.
Company chiefs used to having their subordinates do their bidding, on the other hand, will be quite happy utilising the park assist function, which detects available parking lots before performing either parallel or perpendicular manoeuvres. Driver input at this time is minimal – he only needs to work the brakes and stop the car.
There’s something for eco-conscious types, too. The Drive Select system (which alters the car’s suspension and drivetrain characteristics) now includes an Efficiency mode that improves fuel consumption by dulling throttle response and reducing the air-con’s output.
So, think twice before you call that well-coiffed professional in your office a “stuffed shirt”. He just might be the head of accounting – the division that handles and influences your pay.
The S line styling package that gives the Audi A6 its dynamic stance is standard on all 3-litre models.
Audi A6 3.0 (A)
ENGINE 2995cc, 24-valves, V6, supercharged
MAX POWER 300bhp at 5250-6500rpm
MAX TORQUE 440Nm at 2900-4500rpm
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
0-100KM/H 5.5 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.2km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE $307,038
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