This is the ‘classic’ new A6 saloon: the slipperiest ICE-powered Audi ever built

Audi describes it as a ‘classic’, and while we’d normally insert the obligatory ‘it looks upset about something’ gag about now, there’s nothing upsetting about a simple, four-door saloon with internal combustion. ‘Classic’, you might say.

So welcome to the new Audi A6 saloon, which just happens to be the slipperiest combustion-engined Audi ever built. It boasts a drag coefficient of 0.23, though if you boast about it, those dinner party invites might get lost in the post. No matter, you’ll go further on a tank.

Much like they did with the recent A6 Avant, Audi’s designers have worked hard to force the air around, under and through the car more efficiently. This has been achieved via ‘air curtains’ at the front, new intakes, a front spoiler, additional underbody panels, a rear 'notchback' on the boot, and a wider rear diffuser, among other things.

Which means the petrol and diesel engines won’t have to work as hard. There are three units available – a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot petrol sending 201bhp to the front wheels, a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4cyl diesel with the same power available with either FWD or quattro, and a meaty 362bhp 3.0-litre turbo V6.

No word on whether the UK will get that V6 – the A6 Avant only gets the four cylinders – but both the diesel and V6 come with mild-hybrid technology.

That means a 48V battery, belt-alternator starter, and motor. So the new A6 saloon will have start/stop functionality, regen braking – feeding power back into a 1.7kWh li-ion battery – and the ability to coast on e-power alone for a few miles.

And if you harbour a desire to utilise the A6’s swoopy aero and available horsepower, the four-pots will go from 0-62mph in just over or just under eight seconds (8.2s for the petrol, 7.8s for the diesel quattro), while the V6 quattro car will do it in 4.7s. That’s really very fast.

Fast, but also quiet and comfortable. Audi’s worked hard on reducing NVH – sound insulation is up 30 per cent, for example, and there's new acoustic glass – while deploying aluminium for the front and rear axles. Three suspension setups are available (at least in Germany): standard, “designed to be even more comfortable than its predecessor”, sport, which is 20mm lower, and air, using adaptive dampers that lower it according to your chosen mode.

Audi’s also increased the spread between the various modes, too – dynamic is “noticeably tighter and sportier”, while comfort is… even more comfortable. Four-wheel drive is available on the diesel and the V6, as mentioned, which decouples the rear axle when pootling along, and couples it very much up again if you require power. Brake torque vectoring also makes an appearance.

Speaking of brakes, the A6 saloon gets brake-by-wire – or what Audi calls ‘iBRS’. While the calculations are made by a computer rather than hydraulics – figuring out whether the e-motor or discs are needed – Audi maintains brake feel remains the same regardless.

The sound inside should feel good, especially if you option the Bang & Olufsen sound system. It’s part of the A6’s new ‘business lounge’ philosophy, which means an 11.9in virtual cockpit display for the driver, a massive 14.5in touschreen in the middle, and the option of a 10.9in screen for the front passenger. A HUD, too, which is 85 per cent larger than before.

There’s also a large expanse of ‘softwrap’, sustainable materials, and interior LEDs, and the overall layout follows the A6 Avant revealed only last month. Which is to say, it looks… very much like a posh Audi.

A posh, ‘classic’ Audi. This, or the estate?