Audi's 2013-model A6 will be a bigger car than the current one. Like the latest A4, it will contain its weight with some aluminum exterior panels. High-tech drivetrains will enhance the mass reduction to improve economy and performance. And it will come with a raft of standard and optional driver aids.

The car's core body is steel, and it shares this with the newly announced A7. It will ride on a 115-inch wheelbase, some three inches longer than the current model's, but still two inches short of the new BMW 5 Series'. The sedan arrives in Europe in 2011 and, less than a year later, in the U.S. as a '13 model.

Audi officials believe their 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine, with gas injection, variable valve lift. and turbocharger, is a fit replacement in performance and economy for a small V-6. They realize this might meet resistance from U.S. buyers, so the entry engine is likely to be a 201-horsepower, 2.8-liter V-6, again with variable valve lift and direct injection. Next, a 300-horse 3.0T supercharged unit and finally a 372-horse V-8, again with variable valve lift and direct injection.

FWD V-6 models, not planned for North America, come with a continuously variable transmission, while quattro models get a seven-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic.

At the end of 2012, possibly before the main U.S. introduction, Audi will announce a hybrid using a 3.0-liter supercharged engine and eight-speed autobox. The existence of this car makes the 225-horsepower clean-diesel model less likely for the U.S.

Steel is, Audi admits, a cost-saving measure, but aluminum is used for door panels, as well as such underskin parts as the cast front strut towers. These replace several small steel pressings, justifying themselves on grounds of cost, weight, and strength.

The suspension systems share fundamentals with the other cars on Audi's MLB components system: the A8, A4, Q5, and new A7. This means a better weight distribution than on the current car because the front suspension is mounted farther forward relative to the engine. Aluminum control arms help cut unspring weight.

An air-sprung chassis like the A8's will be optional. In fact, many A8 options are in the cards, including the touchpad-entry navigation system, live Google, lane-keeping assist, active cruise control with follow-to-stop, and autonomous emergency braking.

The A6 will not be the only Audi announced in 2011. This is also the year for the Q3 compact transverse-engine crossover.

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