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Refreshed Audi A6 gets ready for Paris debut

The Audi A6 remains a solidly luxurious choice in the deeply competitive executive sedan segment, duking it out with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Lexus GS, among others. Having been on sale since 2011, though, it's starting to become just a tiny bit stale. Cue the refresh.
Expected to make its debut in October at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, the long-roof Avant/Allroad variant shown here gives us our first glimpse at some of the tweaks Audi has in store for its A6 range as a whole.
In general, this is pretty standard refresh stuff - new headlights that retain the same general shape as the current car but add a new DRL pattern, while there are also some subtle tweaks to the front fascia. The rear taillights have also been freshened (although as only the A6 sedan is sold in the US, it's likely the taillights we see will be different), and some minor changes have been made to the rear bumper. According to our spies, the cabin and MMI infotainment system could see some tweaks, while the oily bits under the hood could be in for for some minor changes as well.

Audi rolls out new A6 L E-Tron hybrid for China

Audi is expanding its range of hybrid models with the introduction of the A6 L E-Tron at the Shanghai Motor Show. It's earmarked specifically for the Chinese market and is based on the long-wheelbase A6 L already produced there. The new E-Tron model marries a 2.0-liter turbo four good for 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque to an electric motor with 122 hp and 162 lb-ft integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. A lithium-ion battery pack provides 14.1 kWh power. Mounted in the trunk, it limits cargo capacity to 11.9 cubic feet. The system produces net output of 245 hp and 369 lb-ft – enough to send the long-wheelbase hybrid to 62 miles per hour in 8.4 seconds en route to a top speed of 130 mph. All the while, it'll return 106.9 miles per gallon by the Chinese standard, traveling over 30 miles on electric power alone (at speeds of up to 83.9 mph) and up to 546.8 miles without needing to stop. The A6 L E-Tron is one of three new hybrids Audi is showcasing in Shanghai this year, alongside the Q7 E-Tron and Prologue Allroad concept. Ingolstadt, 2015-04-16 The new Audi A6 L e-tron for China - First Audi plug-in hybrid model from Chinese production - Output of 180 kW (245 hp) with extremely low consumption - 50 km (31.1 mi) electric range and total range of 880 km (546.8 mi) With the A6 L e-tron, Audi is taking an important step toward even greater fuel efficiency in China. The sedan has been developed specifically for the Chinese market. Its plug-in hybrid drive with 180 kW (245 hp) provides for powerful performance. The model consumes on average just 2.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (106.9 US mpg). After launching the e-tron era in China with the imported A3 Sportback e-tron* in 2015, Audi is taking the next step with the local production of the A6 L e-tron beginning in 2016. The model is based on the long version of the Audi A6, which is already built in China, and is configured as a highly efficient parallel hybrid, meaning that its two drives are arranged one directly behind the other. The 2.0 TFSI is a state-of-the-art, four-cylinder, gasoline engine producing 155 kW (211 hp) and 350 Nm (258.1 lb-ft) of torque. The disk-shaped electric motor provides 91 kW and 220 Nm (162.3 lb-ft) of torque. Together with a decoupler, this is integrated into the eight-speed tiptronic transmission, which transfers the power to the front wheels. System output is 180 kW (245 hp); maximum system torque is 500 Nm (368.8 lb-ft).

Audi Q3 recalled for wanting to stay dry

Volkswagen of America has announced a recall of the 2015 Audi Q3 because in one instance the car might not stop what it's doing even when you turn it off. If you shut down the car while the sunroof is closing, the sunroof could keep on closing. That possibility contravenes federal standards concerning roof panel systems and affects up to 3,646 examples of the Q3 manufactured between April 4, 2014 and November 5, 2014. Customers are asked to bring their Q3s to their Audi dealers, where the sunroof control module will be updated free of charge. You'll find a bit more information in the bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration below. Related Video: Report Receipt Date: APR 03, 2015NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V200000Component(s): VISIBILITYPotential Number of Units Affected: 3,646Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s): AUDI Q3 2015Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.SUMMARY: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Audi Q3 vehicles manufactured April 4, 2014, to November 5, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off while the sunroof is closing, the sunroof may continue to close instead of stopping. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."CONSEQUENCE: If the sunroof is closing while the vehicle is shut off and a vehicle occupant is in its path, there is an increased risk of injury.REMEDY: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the sunroof control module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 FREE. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60C1.NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 FREE (TTY 1-800-424-9153 FREE), or go to www.safercar.gov.