Verdict: The A6 Ultra’s huge range of talents make it surprisingly difficult to find fault with.
What’s good?
> Firstly, power is up from 175bhp to 187bhp and Audi has replaced the old CVT gearbox with a new quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch. That means the 0-62mph time drops from 8.7 seconds to 8.2 in our auto-equipped model.
> And while that means there’s plenty of performance on offer, what’s more amazing is how quiet the engine is. In terms of smoothness and isolation from the cabin, it’s one of the best four-cylinders out there.
> Pair that up with a super-smooth ride and the A6 suddenly feels like one of the most relaxing cars on the road. The optional air suspension makes things better still.
> Important for company car buyers is the fact that CO2 emissions are cut down from 132g/km to 114g/km. Fuel economy is also up from 55.4mpg to 64.2mpg so it’s actually better than the BMW 520d SE.
> Putting that in to financial terms, if you buy an S line car like ours you’ll be saving about £30 per month on company car tax as a higher rate earner.
> There’s plenty of standard equipment fitted on every single model on the range, too, including sat-nav, DAB, leather seats and keyless-go.
>The interior hasn’t really had any updates on this ultra version but it is still fantastic. Build quality and design are both top notch.
What’s not good?
> If you’re looking for the best handling car in this class, it’s not the A6. It’s fine, with lots of grip and nice, secure cornering but a BMW 520d feels more alive and involving.
> You could criticize it for being a little visually unexciting, too. At a glance it doesn’t look too far removed from an A4 or an A5.
> The MMI system isn’t as up to date as the one you’ll fine in the A3. That one features a scroll wheel with a touch-sensitive section on top, where this one has separate units for each.
