S7E8 – Why the gas-powered 2026 Audi A6 Still Matters in Audi’s EVEra
About this episode
The 2026 Audi A6 stands out as a gas-powered sedan in an era increasingly dominated by electric vehicles. Tony Garvis from Audi North America discusses the strategic decisions behind the A6's development, including its unique nomenclature and market positioning. The episode dives into the car's specifications, including a single V6 engine option, advanced infotainment systems with OLED technology, and innovative features like an electromagnetic sunroof. This conversation highlights the challenges of balancing global market demands while maintaining Audi's heritage in the luxury sedan segment.
Recorded in Palm Springs, California, this episode features Anthony Garbis, Sr. Manager of Product Planning at Audi of America, as we test drive the 2026 Audi A6, a gas-powered luxury sedan which remains a key model for Audi, even as the brand accelerates toward electrification.
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Audi A6
"...with the 2026 Audi A6 and the person responsible for putting it together..."
The 2026 Audi A6 is a new luxury car from Audi. It's designed to be comfortable and high-tech, making it a popular choice for those looking for a premium sedan.
The 2026 Audi A6 is a luxury sedan that represents the latest generation of Audi's A6 model, known for its blend of performance, technology, and comfort.
Audi A5
"year before, I don't remember, we were with the A5 and the S5."
The Audi A5 is a stylish two-door car that offers a mix of performance and luxury. It's part of Audi's lineup and is popular for its good looks and comfortable ride.
The Audi A5 is a luxury coupe that combines performance with elegant design, part of Audi's lineup since 2007. It is known for its sporty handling and high-quality interior.
Audi S5
"year before, I don't remember, we were with the A5 and the S5."
The Audi S5 is a sportier version of the A5, designed for better performance and handling. It has a more powerful engine and is aimed at drivers looking for a thrilling ride.
The Audi S5 is the performance-oriented version of the A5, featuring a more powerful engine and sportier suspension. It offers enhanced driving dynamics while maintaining luxury features.
Audi Etron
"and so that's why you have A6 with the gas engine, you have the A6 e-tron then as the electric..."
The Audi A6 e-tron is the electric version of the A6, meaning it runs on electricity instead of gasoline. It's part of Audi's effort to make more eco-friendly cars.
The Audi A6 e-tron is an electric version of the A6, part of Audi's push towards electric mobility. It combines luxury features with electric performance, showcasing Audi's commitment to sustainability.
Audi A4
"...we had an A4 at home for a while and we loved it and all that and then like, there's no A4, only the e-tron, right?"
The Audi A4 is a smaller luxury car that is known for being fun to drive and having lots of high-tech features. Many people enjoy driving it for its comfort and style.
The Audi A4 is a compact executive car that has been popular for its performance, luxury, and technology. It offers a range of engines and features, making it a versatile choice in the Audi lineup.
Audi 100
"So this A6, which was the A Audi 100, like in 1968, long time ago before you were born."
The Audi 100 was a large car that Audi made a long time ago. It was known for being advanced for its time and helped shape the brand's future models.
The Audi 100 was a full-size car produced from 1968 to 1994, known for its innovative design and technology. It laid the groundwork for the A6 model that followed.
Audi A8
"...to go to the new like A4, A6, A8. Yeah."
The Audi A8 is the biggest and most luxurious car Audi makes. It's packed with high-end features and is designed for ultimate comfort and style.
The Audi A8 is a full-size luxury sedan that represents the flagship model of the Audi lineup. It is known for its advanced technology, luxurious interior, and powerful performance.
hybrid
"...where we're talking hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric, this is a pure gas car. Yeah."
A hybrid car uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to run. This helps save fuel and is better for the environment than regular cars that only use gas.
A hybrid vehicle combines a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric propulsion system. This setup allows for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions compared to conventional gasoline-only vehicles.
electric vehicle
"...where we're talking hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric, this is a pure gas car. Yeah."
An electric vehicle is a car that runs only on electricity. It doesn't use gas and doesn't produce pollution from a tailpipe, making it better for the environment.
An electric vehicle (EV) is powered entirely by electricity, using electric motors and batteries instead of a traditional internal combustion engine. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions and are often seen as a more sustainable transportation option.
sedan
"...but also a sedan, which is, again, in the whole industry, is changing the past 10, 15 years more towards the SUVs..."
A sedan is a kind of car that has four doors and a separate trunk for storage. It's usually comfortable and good for everyday use.
A sedan is a type of passenger car characterized by a three-box configuration with separate compartments for the engine, passengers, and cargo. Sedans typically have four doors and are known for their comfort and practicality.
C segment
"...we call this a C segment, right? So this is the C9, the ninth generation of our C segment car."
The C segment is a category of cars that are smaller than mid-size but larger than subcompact cars. They are often practical and good for daily use.
The C segment refers to a classification of cars that are typically compact and designed for practicality and efficiency. These vehicles are often used for everyday commuting and are popular among families and business professionals.
BMW 5 Series
"...you look at the five series, you look at the E class, and you look at A6, right?"
The BMW 5 Series is a luxury sedan that offers a comfortable ride and good performance. It's often used by business professionals and is known for its high-quality interior.
The BMW 5 Series is a line of executive cars that combines luxury with performance. It is known for its driving dynamics and advanced technology features, making it a popular choice in the business sedan market.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
"...you look at the five series, you look at the E class, and you look at A6, right?"
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a luxury sedan that is comfortable and packed with features. It's often chosen by business people for its prestige and reliability.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a series of executive cars known for their luxury, comfort, and advanced technology. It is a popular choice among professionals and is often seen as a status symbol.
V6
"...with the V6, with 300 and 62 horsepower. And so this then, we kind of combined the old four cylinder..."
A V6 engine has six cylinders that are shaped like a 'V'. It's popular because it can produce a lot of power without taking up too much space in the car.
A V6 engine is a six-cylinder engine with the cylinders arranged in a V configuration. This design allows for a compact engine size while providing a good balance of power and efficiency.
horsepower
"...with 300 and 62 horsepower. And so this then, we kind of combined the old four cylinder..."
Horsepower tells you how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can go.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to describe the power output of engines. It indicates how quickly work can be done, and in automotive terms, it reflects the engine's ability to perform.
Audi S6
"...d four cylinder, the old six cylinder and the old S6, which is a bi-turbo six cylinder into one model."
The Audi S6 is a sportier version of the regular Audi A6, and it has a really strong engine that makes it faster and more fun to drive. People like to talk about it because it combines luxury with a sporty feel.
The Audi S6 is a high-performance version of the Audi A6, featuring a powerful bi-turbo V6 engine that delivers exhilarating speed and handling. It's significant for its blend of luxury and sportiness, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts who want a practical yet thrilling driving experience.
bi-turbo
"...the old six cylinder and the old S6, which is a bi-turbo six cylinder into one model."
A bi-turbo engine has two turbochargers, which help it produce more power. This means the car can go faster and perform better without using much more fuel.
Bi-turbo refers to an engine that uses two turbochargers to increase power output. This setup can improve performance by allowing the engine to produce more power at lower RPMs and enhance overall efficiency.
power bump
"...we took a power bump torque increase. We got a lot quicker."
A power bump means the engine can produce more power than before. This makes the car faster and more fun to drive.
A power bump refers to an increase in an engine's power output, often achieved through modifications or enhancements. This can lead to improved acceleration and overall performance of the vehicle.
0-60 time
"We're four and a half seconds, zero to 60. And we kind of merged all those cars into one model."
0-60 time is how long it takes for a car to go from a stop to going really fast—60 miles per hour. It's a way to see how quick a car can be.
The '0-60 time' refers to the time it takes for a vehicle to accelerate from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour. It's a common performance metric used to gauge a car's acceleration capabilities.
sport differential
"like sport differential in the back, all wheel steering, the Sport Plus seats inside,"
A sport differential helps the car handle better by sending power to the wheels that need it most when turning, making it easier to drive fast and stay stable.
A sport differential enhances a vehicle's handling and cornering capabilities by distributing power to the wheels that need it most, improving traction and stability during aggressive driving.
all wheel steering
"all wheel steering, the Sport Plus seats inside, carbon in length, et cetera."
All wheel steering means that the back wheels can turn a little bit, which helps the car turn better and stay stable, especially when going fast or making sharp turns.
All wheel steering allows the rear wheels to turn slightly in the same or opposite direction as the front wheels, enhancing maneuverability and stability at various speeds.
sport fixed suspension
"So we have now a sport fixed suspension, lowers the body 20 millimeters compared to the standard suspension."
A sport fixed suspension makes the car sit lower and feel stiffer, which helps it handle better when turning or driving fast.
A sport fixed suspension is designed to provide a stiffer ride and improved handling by lowering the vehicle's height and reducing body roll during cornering.
20 millimeters
"lowers the body 20 millimeters compared to the standard suspension. And then we brought that hardware."
Twenty millimeters is a way to measure how much lower the car is compared to normal, which can help it drive better around corners.
Twenty millimeters is a metric measurement indicating how much lower the car's body is compared to the standard suspension, which can affect handling and ride quality.
styling package
"And so you really have then three distinct looks and personalities of the same car based on what styling package you go with."
A styling package is a group of options you can choose to make your car look different and more personalized.
A styling package refers to a set of aesthetic modifications or features that enhance the appearance of a vehicle, often allowing buyers to customize their car's look.
infotainment system
"And then let's talk about the software, the infotainment system, because it is really, really advanced. We've seen it in other models, like the five, the Q5, the S5 also."
An infotainment system is the technology in your car that provides entertainment and information, like music, navigation, and phone connectivity. It's like a computer for your car that helps you stay connected and informed while driving.
An infotainment system is a combination of entertainment and information delivery systems in a vehicle, integrating features like navigation, audio, and connectivity options. These systems have become increasingly advanced, often including touchscreens, voice recognition, and smartphone integration.
Audi Q5
"We've seen it in other models, like the five, the Q5, the S5 also."
The Audi Q5 is a luxury SUV that offers a comfortable ride and lots of technology features. It's designed for people who want a stylish and practical vehicle for everyday use.
The Audi Q5 is a compact luxury crossover SUV known for its blend of performance, comfort, and technology. It features a high-quality interior, advanced safety features, and a range of efficient engines, making it a popular choice in its segment.
Audi Q6
"...we brought this in the new, the new Q6, we had A5, Q5, all these, the latest generation of cars..."
The Audi Q6 is a new SUV model from Audi. It's part of their effort to offer modern features and technology in their vehicles.
The Audi Q6 is a new model introduced by Audi, likely part of their SUV lineup. It represents the latest advancements in design and technology from the brand.
OLED screens
"...we have this great, you know, we call it the digital stage. And so you have OLED screens, two of them in front of you that are curved..."
OLED screens are a type of display that shows bright colors and deep blacks. They are often used in modern cars for their high-quality visuals.
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screens are advanced display technology that provides better contrast, color accuracy, and energy efficiency compared to traditional LCD screens.
Formula One
"but Formula One is... Audi is coming back to Formula One this year, which is also very exciting."
Formula One is a top-level car racing series where specially designed cars race against each other on tracks. It's very popular and features teams from different countries.
Formula One, often abbreviated as F1, is the highest class of international auto racing for single-seater formula racing cars. It is known for its high-speed races and advanced technology, attracting teams and manufacturers from around the world.
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