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AUDI AG has celebrated a notable production landmark with the five millionth A6
leaving the company’s Neckarsulm facility, 37 years after the start of
production of this model.
Shortly after production commenced for the new Audi A6 Avant in mid-January,
the five millionth A6, a silver Avant with a 2.7 TDI engine (132 kW, 180 bhp),
rolled down the line.
"The Audi A6 is a key factor behind the success of Audi and the Neckarsulm
plant," declared AUDI AG Member of the Board for Production Dr. Jochem Heizmann.
189,049 units of the Audi A6 were delivered to customers worldwide in 2004
(2003: 176,867). The model's biggest markets are Germany, China and North
America. In Europe, the principal export markets are Italy, Great Britain, Spain
and France.
Approximately 60 percent of the 13,800-strong Neckarsulm workforce are
involved in A6 production or in directly associated tasks, turning out between
700 and 750 vehicles each day. Some 1,800 workers are engaged in building the
Chinese version of the A6 at Changchun. Over 46,000 of that model were built
there in 2004. Almost one-quarter of the total sales of the new Audi A6 are in
China and the new generation of the Audi A6 will be introduced this year at
Changchun.
Audi has been building the A6 for 37 years. The model was known as the Audi
100 until 1994 and represented the company's entrance into the full-size
category in 1968. The first two versions had power outputs of 80, 90 and 100
bhp. A sporty counterpart appeared in the autumn of 1970 in the shape of the 115
bhp Audi 100 Coupé S.
The second generation of the Audi 100, appearing in 1976, served as the basis
for the new range-topping "Audi 200" model unveiled in the autumn of 1979,
featuring luxury equipment, sophisticated technology and high-performance
five-cylinder engines.
Audi set new world-best standards of aerodynamics with the third generation,
launched in 1982. With the introduction of the fully galvanised body in 1985,
Audi set yet another landmark in this competitive field, demonstrating the
qualities of lasting value and a long service life. The Audi 100 now also
featured quattro permanent four-wheel drive for the first time.
The fourth generation, brought onto the market in 1990, witnessed the first
Audi 100 with a six-cylinder engine. In the autumn of 1991, the S4 and S4 Avant
paved the way for the S range of models. The Audi 100 was then renamed "Audi A6"
in 1994. The change of name was intended to convey international appeal and
clarity.
The first six-cylinder TDI engine and Audi's innovative multitronic
continuously variable transmission made their first appearance in the fifth
generation.
At the start of 2002 quattro GmbH, a subsidiary of AUDI AG, unveiled the RS6,
of which more than 8,000 saloon and Avant versions were sold. It remains the
most powerful Audi production model to date, with an output of 480 bhp.
The present-day A6 saloon appeared on the market in March 2004. Experts and
customers alike acclaimed the new dynamic design, overt sports appeal and high
standard of comfort of the 4.92 m long and 1.86 m wide saloon model. There is a
total of eleven engine and transmission combinations to choose from, with power
outputs ranging from 140 to 335 bhp.
In the year of its launch, 2004, the Audi Neckarsulm plant built over 84,000
of the new A6 saloon. Production of the spacious A6 Avant has now commenced at
Neckarsulm.
It will be in dealer showrooms in Europe from March and in Australia around
July/August 2005.
Milestones in the history of the Audi 100/A6
| 1968 |
Audi starts its steady ascent into the full-size category with the launch of
the first Audi 100. |
| 1970 |
The 85 kW (115 bhp) Audi Coupé S appears on the market |
| 1976 |
The second generation of the 100 is launched |
| 1977 |
The top model features the world's first large-series five-cylinder power
unit with fuel injection |
| 1979 |
The Audi 200 makes its debut, as the standard bearer of this model
series |
| 1982 |
The third generation of the Audi 100 sets new standards in aerodynamics and
design with its world-beating drag coefficient |
| 1983 |
The Audi 100 is honoured with the "Design Award" and the title of "Car of
the Year" |
| 1984 |
The Audi 100 now also features quattro permanent four-wheel drive for the
first time |
| 1985 |
The bodyshells of the Audi 100 car line are fully galvanised, for better
corrosion protection |
| 1988 |
FAW (First Automobile Works) commences production of the Audi 100 in
Changchun (China) |
| 1989 |
Audi unveils the first passenger car with a diesel direct-injection engine
in the guise of the Audi 100 TDI |
| 1990 |
The fourth-generation Audi 100 appears on the market |
| 1991 |
The S4 and S4 Avant, which are based on the Audi 100, join the Coupé S2 in
Audi's sporty range of S models. |
| 1993 |
The S4 4.2 with an eight-cylinder engine is launched at the Geneva Motor
Show. The Audi 100 is once again voted "Car of the Year" |
| 1994 |
Next, a change of name: following a major product upgrade, the
fourth-generation Audi 100 becomes the "Audi A6" |
| 1997 |
The fifth generation is brought onto the market |
| 1999 |
The S6 and S6 Avant are launched as the sporty top-of-the-range versions.
The Chinese version of the Audi A6 goes into production at Changchun |
| 2000 |
The A6 is adapted for off-road use and assumes the guise of the Audi allroad
quattro |
| 2002 |
quattro GmbH unveils the RS 6 (saloon and Avant) |
| 2004 |
The saloon version of the new A6, now the sixth generation of this model,
makes its debut |
| 2005 |
The new A6 becomes available as an Avant |
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