2012 Audi A6 rendered; Lighter, longer and similar to A7/A8

The first rendering of the next-generation Audi A6 has surfaced online. Of late, all new BMWs and Audis have become quite easy to render. Just pick up a larger model and sort of make it smaller. That has been the case with this A6 which looks like its been put together from the latest A8 and A7 sportback. As a result, even the real model is expected to look pretty much the similar to its larger brothers. The steel chassis is shared with the A7 while some body panels will be made of aluminium to keep weight in check.

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Hit the jump for more details.

Engine options are sketchy at the moment but it is evident that they will be a mix of smaller powerplants borrowed from the A4/A5 to larger ones from A7/A8. A 200bhp four cylinder TSi is expected to be the base engine going all the way up to the range topping boosted V8/V6 in the RS6. Audi will make both Quattro (coming with Dual clutch 7-speed gearbox) and front wheel drive models. As a part of Audi’s new commonisation plan, several key components of suspension systems are shared among Audi MLB models comprising A8, A4, A7 and Q5. Expect lots of tech like air suspension and regeneration braking to percolate down from the A8.

The A6 will make its debut sometime in 2011 with deliveries starting in 2012.

[Motortrend via Germancarblog]