In Review; Audi A6 40 TDI S Line 4dr S Tronic [Tech Pack] (Diesel/ Auto)

Thank you to one of our Audi suppliers, Slough Audi Sytner, for visiting the CarLease UK team – as part of their regular FCA reviews.

As a lease car credit broker, not a lender/supplier, we work in conjunction with both a select number of finance companies (we are not independent) and select number of franchised dealers.

To be clear, we do not directly supply the cars to our customers from our premises; when you order a car with us, we subsequently place this with a franchised-dealer, who will deliver the vehicle to your home or business address. To ensure that customers have confidence in the process, we only work with dealerships, who provide competitive discounts and high standards of service. Conversely, our franchised dealers perform annual health checks on our business, as part of their FCA requirements, to ensure that the business we introduce to them is done properly.

This cross-monitoring further increases the standards of service across the industry – for online businesses involved in financial services, this is key.

Our supplier kindly brought the brand-new Audi A6 for our team to test review. This is Audi’s answer to the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E Class and Jaguar XF; essentially one of the most competitive segments in the UK’s fleet and company car market.

What is quite interesting is that our representative also wanted to speak to us about the future “electrification” of Audi.

Like many manufacturers, the emphasis and investment is very much on alternative style fuels – hybrid, PHEV and pure electric. As we have been discussing recently, the change from combustion engine to electric, has come about for a number of reasons – company car tax changes, electric car grants, congestion charges and the move away from fossil fuels. in a recent report/review by CAP/HPI some interesting statistics emerge:

1. 83% of respondents would consider an electric vehicle (with the remaining 17% saying they would never consider this);

2. In terms of gender, 87% of men welcomes electric options compared to 78% of women;

3. On age demographics, of the 25-34 bracket 91% were positive whereas in the 55-64 group only 32% would receive one; and

4. And, in terms of location, Edinburgh/Sheffield/Manchester/London/Bristol accounted for those most likely to go down the electric route.

The results are not altogether unsurprising, apart from the fact that so many individuals would actually now consider an electric car option.

The recent volume of electric cars on television, radio and social media advertising has made the idea “real”; over the last few years it seemed electric cars were fanciful and expensive ideas which would never be more than a concept.

Mass-production of electric cars in the form of the Tesla (model X and S), Jaguar I-Pace and Nissan Leaf has changed this notion. Some of the nervousness, which came about in the report, is the lack of charging points (coupled with the electric range), the price of the vehicles and the fact they do take a while to charge. However, for younger people, particularly in city areas, this doesn’t seem to be as much as an issue. With congestion charges coming into most cities (electric vehicles are 100% exempt), it may be more financially sage to consider an electric option. Plus, younger generations are more receptive to changes in technology, having seen such rapid changes in other parts of life over the last 10 years. For older drivers, this may feel like one step too far BUT with proper training and advise, maybe this is something which can be overcome?

Audi A6 DIESEL SALOON 40 TDI S Line 4dr S Tronic [Tech Pack] Car Leasing Luxury

Audi A6 DIESEL SALOON 40 TDI S Line 4dr S Tronic [Tech Pack] Car Leasing Select Options

Audi A6 DIESEL SALOON 40 TDI S Line 4dr S Tronic [Tech Pack] Car Leasing Information

Audi A6 DIESEL SALOON 40 TDI S Line 4dr S Tronic [Tech Pack] Car Leasing

In terms of the car shown here, the Audi A6 DIESEL SALOON 40 TDI S Line 4dr S Tronic [Tech Pack], this is based on the following configuration

· Pearl – Daytona grey
· Alcantara/leather – Black with rock grey stitching + front sports seats
· 19″ 5 twin spoke design contrasting grey partly polished alloy wheels
· Matt brushed aluminium inlays

As standard the car includes cruise control, 2 zone climate control, electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors, rear view camera, 3-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel (heated), Audi parking system plus, matrix LED headlights, 19” alloys, heated front seats, heat insulated glass, rain and light sensors, front and rear floor mats, Bluetooth, lane departure system, automatic start/stop system, 7” high resolution driver info display, virtual cockpit, MMI navigation with 10.6” and 8.6” touch screens, body coloured externals, DAB radio, radiator grille in titanium black, S Line aesthetics, stainless steel pedals, LED interior ambient lighting pack, warning triangle and first-aid kit, 40/20/40 folding seats, anti-theft alarm, immobiliser, keyless go and towbar preparation. In terms of additional options for an A6 consider – privacy glass, head up display and the premium sound system for a perfect car.

On the technical-side, company car and business users can note the P11d at £43,920 and CO2 at 117g/km. The 1968CC 7 speed auto engine delivers 62.8 combined MPG, 204ps and 0-62 times of 8.1 seconds. Service intervals on a new diesel A6 are every 12 months or 9,000 miles, whichever lands sooner.