The all-new 2012 Audi A6 is here

The Audi A6 is one of those "benchmark" cars. It's big, but not too big. It's luxurious, but it's not over-indulgent. It's an expensive car, but it's a lot more than that.

This car, along with the BMW 3-Series & Mercedes E-Class help show the rest of the car world were the bar should be set when it comes to premium mid-sized cars.

And since the previous generation A6 was so good. They decided to continue moving the car in the same evolutionary direction. It's a completely redesigned car, but it looks remarkably like the old one (although, hints from the new A8's design language can be seen from various angles).

It's German, so of course the simple looks would be complicated to explain.

Now, when most automakers release a new car, they send out a 5-10 page press release, citing all of the new model's features. But the 2012 A6 commanded a whopping 18 page press…manual!

There are so many new changes/features on this car, it's hard to believe. So here's the highlights;

A6 Connectivity: "The online services, developed though a partnership between Audi and service provider Google, connect the full-sized sedan to the Internet via the Bluetooth car phone online. A UMTS module pulls images and information from Google Earth up on the monitor and integrates them with the navigation route. A WLAN hotspot provides contact to mobile terminals on board. A groundbreaking feature of MMI navigation plus is the touchpad - MMI touch. It allows the driver to perform a great many functions easily and intuitively, for example, writing the digits of telephone numbers and the letters of the navigation destination with a finger or scrolling lists and maps. The driver's eyes can stay on the road because the system acknowledges every input acoustically. MMI touch also recognizes the characters of Asian languages. When the driver is not using the touchpad to enter data, it turns into a radio keypad with six station buttons."

Now, that's cool!

A6 Safety: "MMI navigation plus works closely together with the optional assistance and safety systems in the new A6. It forwards the route data to the control units for the headlights, the automatic transmission and the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function. This enables these systems to recognize complex scenarios and assist the driver. In many situations, the Audi pre sense safety system is able to reduce accidents and their consequences, or even prevent them altogether. The Audi active lane assist helps the driver keep the A6 on course, and the park assist system relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parallel parking."

A6 Seating: "the optional comfort seats, which can be adjusted in 18 different ways. These seats can be equipped with optional, luxurious air-conditioning and massage functions, featuring ten air cushions and five programs to pamper the back. Sport seats with accentuated side bolsters and an extendable thigh support mechanism are available as an alternative."

A6 Wood Trim: "In addition to the standard trims in Micrometallic platinum, the inlays are also available in an aluminum version. The inlays also feature wood veneers made of ash and walnut. In the near future, Audi will also offer a new, exceptionally attractive alternative - a veneer made of layered oak wood."

A6 Engines:
2.8 litre FSI non-turbo V6 rated at 204-hp
0-100 km/h 7.7 seconds
7.4 litres/100 km

3.0 litre supercharged V6 rated at 300-hp
0-100 km/h 5.5 seconds
8.2 litres/100 km

3.0 litre TDI rated at 204-hp
0-100 km/h 7.2 seconds
5.2 litres/100 km

3.0 litre TDI rated at 245-hp
0-100 km/h 6.1 seconds
6.0 litres/100 km/h

Hybrid (FWD only):
2.0 litre TSFI rated at 211-hp
Electric motor mounted to the 8-speed transmission: 45-hp
0-100 km/h 7.3 seconds (the car can go up to 100 km/h on electricity alone, if desired)
6.2 litres/100 km

A6 Transmissions:
6-speed manual
CVT
7-speed S tronic
8-speed automatic (Hybrid only)

A6 Options: adaptive air suspension, ACC with stop & go function, adaptive lights, ambient lighting, sport differential, dynamic steering, a DVD changer, a digital radio tuner, the Audi music interface for integrating a mobile player, a TV module, Bose surround sound system, a 15 speaker 1,300-watt Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen, keyless vehicle entry, the electric closing assist function for the doors, insulating/acoustic glazing, roller sunblinds for the rear of the vehicle, a four-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning system, a head-up display, the parking heater, the power-adjustable steering wheel, and the two ambient lighting packages, Xenon plus and all-LED headlights.

A6 S line: "This package combines a black leather interior with sport seats, a designated leather steering wheel, special inlays, sport suspension from quattro GmbH and 19-inch wheels."

Basically, there's an Audi A6 to suit anyone's taste.