Several tests are carried out before the car is ready for production. The stringent tests are either aimed at maximising safety and efficiency or refinement
>> Crash Test
The A6 is subjected to front offset, rear and side impact to test the airbags and crumple zones, etc, to avoid injury to the passengers in case of an unfortunate accident. The sensors placed in the cabin measure the impact on the crash test dummies.
>> Wind Tunnel Testing
The wind tunnel has been one of the most powerful tools in the automotive industry. Every effort to reduce the air drag is done to allow the A6 to slice through the air.
>> NVH Testing
The sound inside the cabin is the surest indicator of the car’s refinement level. Precise metering and modulation of the A6 provides a soothing hum without robbing you of the adrenaline-charged grunt when needed.
>> Driver Aids and Safety Features
For a car built on the principles of safety, comfort and performance, the A6 is the perfect saloon. The Audi A6 comes loaded with a set of omniscient electronics to make driving as safe as possible.
Intelligent sensors planted throughout the car constantly communicate with each other to ensure optimum performance throughout. The electronic architecture of the A6 consists of a complex mesh of CAN bus wiring connected to a host of sensors. Here’s a peek into the gizmos that make the A6 frightfully fast and amazingly safe at the same time.
>> ACTIVE LANE ASSIST
The lane assist system is a set of ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors and cameras working in sync to ensure a safe highway journey. If the car drifts out of the lane unintentionally, the steering wheel vibrates and wakes the driver up! And not just that, the radar-fed lane assist genie also tells you about the car in your blind spot while changing lanes.
>> PARKING ASSIST
Altogether 12 ultrasonic sensors make complex geometrical calculations and the activity is done by the car’s computer. The (Clockwise from left) Wind Tunnel testing to continually improve aerodynamics; crash worthiness is an integral part in establishing the legendary German build quality and reliablity; sensors fitted onto crash dummies points out areas of improvement; anechoic chamber measures the NVH levels of the A6 fi rst jab on the tiny button brings the sensors to life and the car parks itself in a parallel parking mode. Another push and the perpendicular parking function is activated. So no fear of scratched or dented bumpers!
>> ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
An electronic control unit receives information from two long-range radars, ultrasonic sensors and a video camera.
This information is processed and augmented by auxiliary systems to make long journeys comfortable.
>> MMI
The whole point of driver aids is to simplify driving and the MMI connects the bridge between the driver and the car.
The five-inch display sends out information in the most simple manner and makes the user interface very similar to that of the computer.
