Audi A6 sweeps car of the year awards

Audi A6 sweeps a string of New Zealand and international Car of the Year Awards

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - The Audi A6 has received a string of awards over the last week, including the supreme award in the National Business Review (NBR) Car of the Year Awards, Luxury Car of the Year in the AMI NZ Autocar Car of the Year Awards, and the coveted international Golden Steering Wheel competition.

In each case, all entrants were selected by the award organisers which makes nomination an achievement in itself. That the Audi A6 has received top honours in three independent competitions is a true testament to what an outstanding vehicle this is, says Audi of New Zealand General Manager, Dane Fisher.

"Receiving not one, but three coveted accolades is a formidable achievement for this model," he says.

In the competition feature, the NBR said, "The sharper, more dynamic look of the Audi A6 and other advances, such as greatly increased fuel efficiency, have made it our best car of the year.

"Many buyers are now saying size does not matter. Other makers offer a car of this size. Audi's offering makes my nerve endings come to the surface."

The NBR Car of the Year finalists were judged on styling, environmental friendliness, luggage capacity, fuel consumption as well as driveability and how the car looks and feels.

Autocar Magazine's Peter Louisson said judges were unanimously impressed with the Audi A6's understated but elegant appearance, exquisite interior furnishings and build, its wealth of mechanical grip and its well integrated electronics and safety.

"'Capable and refined' were common comments. The performance of the high-output 3.0L turbodiesel and seven-speed twin-clutch transmission also impressed," Louisson said.

With a total of 21 wins since 1975 in the international Golden Steering Wheel awards, Audi remains the most successful brand in the competition, which is judged by a line-up of VIPs, technical experts, professional motor racing and rally drivers and the editors-in-chief of the international offshoots of trade publication Auto Bild.

For Audi, which has held the number one position in the New Zealand luxury segment for four years, the awards follow the announcement of its best ever first six months on record earlier this year, and the opening of the first Audi-only dealership for The Giltrap Group in Auckland's Grey Lynn.

Fisher said Audi of New Zealand has been rounding off an exciting calendar of events with its annual quattro event at Hampton Downs this week, where the A6 has been put through its paces by customers and the likes of Audi Ambassadors Sara Tetro, Steve Dunstan and Simon Gault.

"Three prestigious awards for the A6 marks a great finish to what has been an exciting year for Audi," said Fisher.

Looking ahead, Fisher said Audi is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the chic new Audi Q3 and the performance oriented S6, S7 and S8 among other new models in 2012.

ENDS

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