New Audi A6 Avant - In Depth

Page 1 - Design
Page 2 - Engines and transmissions
Page 3 - Engines and transmissions (cont.)
Page 4 - The chassis
Page 5 - The chassis (cont.)
Page 6 - The body
Page 7 - Comfort and communication electronics
Page 8 - Comfort and communication electronics (cont.)
Page 9 - Standard equipment
Page 10 - Optional equipment

Advanced key access and authorisation system

Drivers of the new A6 Avant with automatic transmission will only have to reach for their car key from time to time in future: Ã¢â‚¬Å“advanced keyÃ¢â‚¬Â' is an optional system that provides electronic access and authorisation.

The key Ã¢â‚¬â€œ which can remain in the driver's pocket Ã¢â‚¬â€œ incorporates an electronic pulse generator whose signal is registered and checked by a sensor. If the signal is accepted, the doors are unlocked as soon as the driver actuates the door handle.

The central locking can be activated and deactivated at any door of the vehicle. All the driver has to do is carry the key on his or her person within a range of about 1.5 metres from the car and actuate the door handle. It is possible to select via MMI whether the central locking should only release the manually actuated doors or unlock all of them.

The steering and ignition can also be released electronically and wirelessly before setting out thanks to advanced key. Provided the driver has the key on his or her person while inside the car, the steering is released by gently pressing the starter button. At the same time the ignition is activated and the electronic immobiliser released.

If the foot brake is operated simultaneously, the engine starts immediately. Since the starting procedure is fully automatic, a quick press of the starter button is all it takes. For safety reasons, the automatic selector lever must be in the "P" or "N" position.

The engine can of course also be started in the conventional way by turning the key in the ignition lock.

When leaving a vehicle equipped with advanced key, it merely suffices to press a small button under the door handles to lock all doors. Once again there is a dialogue between the key and the in-vehicle sensor: it is therefore impossible to lock the doors accidentally.

This system is not only convenient, it also benefits security. The mechanical ignition lock previously used has been replaced by an electronic version. The key identification process with advanced key is fully electronic and consequently enables the key to be clearly assigned to the right vehicle.

Light and rain sensor

All new Audi A6 Avant models come as standard with a combined light and rain sensor which automatically activates or deactivates the low-beam headlights and Ã¢â‚¬â€œ in wet weather Ã¢â‚¬â€œ the windscreen wipers and regulates their wiping speed.

Hidden discreetly out of sight, the systemÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s sensor technology is integrated into the bracket of the interior mirror at the top of the windscreen where it does not in any way obstruct the driver's view.

Two light sensors operating independently of one another determine both ambient brightness and light conditions in the direction of travel. Taking light and weather conditions as well as the speed of the car into account, a microprocessor permanently calculates whether it is necessary to switch on the low-beam headlights. The system is activated by turning the rotary light switch to the "Auto" position.

Another standard feature of the light sensor is the coming home/leaving home function. If the doors are unlocked with the remote control before getting in, the carÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s exterior and interior lights are activated if it is dark. When the doors are locked, the system switches off the lights again after a certain time delay which can be programmed via the MMI to suit requirements.

The rain sensor determines the degree of moisture on the windscreen and, if appropriate, issues a wipe command to activate the wipers at the right speed. Again, controlling the system is a very easy process: the driver simply has to move the wiper stalk on the steering column to the intermittent position in order to permanently activate the rain sensor. The system will then be automatically reactivated every time the engine is started.

adaptive cruise control

An intelligent "travelling companion" is also available as an option on the new A6 Avant: the latest-generation adaptive cruise control, a radar-assisted distance control system. Supplementing the optional cruise control function, this system significantly enhances driving convenience by automatically controlling the speed of the car depending on the preselected distance to the vehicle ahead.

This noticeably reduces the driver's workload, particularly during long journeys on country roads or when driving on the motorway, especially in heavy nose-to-tail traffic.

Hidden discreetly out of sight, the system sensor is fitted behind the trim grille on the cooling air intake. While the car is on the move, it emits radar signals that determine how far ahead the next vehicle is.

Based on these measurements, a computer then establishes whether this distance is increasing or decreasing, and adjusts the car's own speed correspondingly by means of acceleration or by applying the brakes.

The Audi development engineers have deliberately limited the intensity of possible acceleration and that of brake intervention and very definitely designed the distance control as a convenience system. adaptive cruise control is designed such that when approaching another vehicle which is travelling at a completely different speed, the driver has to react consciously and in accordance with the situation in hand.

The driver can select the basic adaptive cruise control configuration on the MMI, where he decides which of three predefined programs is to be called up automatically each time the system is activated after starting the engine. The programs determine the dynamics of the distance control.

The current status of the system as well as the speed selected are indicated to the driver within the speedometer. Other important information appears in the display of the driver information system. The speed range used by the system is between 30 and 200 km/h.

In addition to these tried-and-tested convenience features, the new generation offers a further safety function in the form of interaction between adaptive cruise control and ESP. This predictive system Ã¢â‚¬â€œ the first of its kind in Europe Ã¢â‚¬â€œ reacts even before an impending accident.

The system permanently monitors the area in front of the vehicle and assesses potential hazards without interruption. If a critical situation is imminent, the brake system is prefilled; at the same time, the hydraulic brake assist is prepared for hard braking.

As soon as the driver has recognised the emergency situation and stepped on the brake, the hydraulic brake assist triggers a perfectly controlled emergency braking manoeuvre. This can reduce the braking distance decisively and help to prevent an accident.