We’ve spotted the A6 Hybrid parked close to the ‘(00) headquarters before, but it was only earlier today when Euromobil Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Group and official importer of Audi in Malaysia, launched the all-new Audi A6 Hybrid. The A6 Hybrid marries the efficiency of a four-cylinder engine with the performance of a six-cylinder, and adds a chapter to the Audi A6 success story.
Present for the unveiling of the A6 Hybrid was Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia as well as Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, Chairman of Euromobile Sdn Bhd and Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM Berhad. In his speech, YBhg. Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil said that the introduction of the Audi A6 Hybrid in Malaysia is a testament to Audi’s support of the country’s drive towards Energy Efficient Vehicles and Audi’s commitment to the adoption of green technology in the automotive industry.
“With the introduction of the A6 hybrid in Malaysia, we hope that the steps taken towards encouraging the implementation of advanced green technology in the automotive industry will help the country to be on par with their neighbouring counterparts, and be more competitive on a global scale.”
Prior to the launch, we motoring hacks were invited for a media briefing at the Audi Kuala Lumpur Terminal to showcase the A6 Hybrid to members of the media. The A6 Hybrid mates a 2.0-litre four-pot that produces 211hp/350Nm with an electric motor that produces 54hp/210Nm, bringing a combined total output of 245hp/480Nm – an impressive figure indeed. The electric motor is integrated with an 8-speed tiptronic transmission, and the car is best driven when in boost mode; with the motor and engine working in tandem to give maximum power output with Zerotohundred dispatched in a respectable 7.5 seconds towards a top speed of 240km/h. Combined fuel consumption is a claimed 6.2 litre/100km.
Differentiating the A6 Hybrid from its siblings are 18-inch aluminum turbine design wheels, along with subtle ‘Hybrid’ badgery on the car’s fenders, tailgate, and sill panels. In-cabin experience is very similar to a regular A6 – almost. The conventional rev meter has been replaced by a power meter which indicates the car’s different driving modes, as well as the percentile power in use. The MMI Navigation plus system now also displays the energy flows in the hybrid system, along with a breakdown of energy consumption. Weight has been pared down too, thanks to extensive use of aluminum and high strength steel, improving rigidity, agility, and efficiency.
The Audi A6 Hybrid also demonstrates “Vorsprung durch Technik” in its multimedia interface (MMI). It includes a pioneering innovation, in conjunction with the MMI navigation plus featuring the MMI touch – an intuitive touch pad which enables the driver to control many functions by tracing the letters on the pad with a finger. The system recognizes the entry acoustically after each character on the touch sensitive pad. Euromobil also offers a number of attractive multimedia modules, including the optional high-end sound system from BOSE and Bluetooth car phone online – an integrated WLAN hotspot and providing access to Google Maps.
OTR price for the Audi A6 Hybrid is RM280,000 without insurance, and test drives are available at all Euromobil showrooms. This price is in reflection of the full import duty and excise duty exemption for hybrid vehicles 2,000cc and below, and is valid until 31 December 2013.
