Press Releases | Lyon-Waugh Auto Group

NASHUA, N.H. – Car and Driver magazine means business when it comes to its annual 10Best Cars list. Dozens of cars contend for only 10 available spots, and only the finest cars on the market earn the right to be called one of the best. Currently available at Audi dealerships, the 2012 A6 3.0T quattro and A7 3.0T quattro earned a shared spot as a dynamic duo on the 2012 10Best Cars list, standing out with their high-performance engines, smooth steering and well-designed body structures.

The Car and Driver 2012 10Best Cars nominees consisted of all-new or significantly updated vehicles, as well as last year’s winners and those that weren’t available for testing during the last competition. A price cap of $80,000 eliminated the most exotic vehicles, but left a number of upscale offerings on the table. Fitting that bill were the redesigned Audi A6 and the all-new Audi A7, a four-door coupe that impressed Car and Driver editors with its ability to carve corners and coddle occupants simultaneously.

“Car and Driver’s inclusion of the Audi A6 and A7 on its 10Best list is an honor, but it wasn’t a gift,” said Larry Bedell, general manager of New Hampshire Audi dealership Audi of Nashua. “Audi has put a lot of time and money into the development of the A6 and A7, from the luxurious interior designs and materials to the high-quality drivetrain. These cars have earned the right to be on the 10Best list.”

Mechanically identical, the A6 3.0T quattro and A7 3.0T quattro both share a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. Also found in the Audi S4 sports sedan, the direct-injected engine was recently recognized by Ward’s Auto as one of the auto publication’s 10 Best Engines for 2012. Audi’s impressive six cylinder has been featured on the Ward’s list now for three years running, scoring well on criteria like power, technology and observed fuel economy.

Both the A6 and A7 feature an eight-speed automatic transmission, which allows for shifting on the fly and helps the luxury cars return 28 mpg on the highway. Dynamic handling comes compliments of Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, which makes the most out of low-traction situations. Car and Driver lauded the pair for their forgiving handling at their performance limits and their responsive steering.

Though they share the same inner-workings, the Audi A6 and A7 do differ when it comes to the exterior designs and interior space. The A6 is a sleek, understated sedan with room for five, while the sportier A7 four-door coupe loses a rear passenger in favor of a sloping roofline and a concealed hatchback that opens up 25 cubic-feet of cargo room. The differences mainly end there though, as both Audi A6 and A7 buyers have the option of adorning their interior with wood and brushed aluminum accents, as well as available sound systems designed by Bang & Olufsen and Bose.

“Audi’s A6 and A7 appeal to drivers looking for sophisticated styling and an unmatched driving experience,” Bedell noted. “With a spot on the 10Best Cars list and an award-winning engine, both vehicles have proven that function and form can come in the same package, and that is more than the competition can claim.”