2018 Audi A6 spied ahead of global reveal this year

Besides readying an entirely-new version of its flagship A8, Audi is also working on the next-gen A6. The mid-size executive sedan, which is expected to be showcased later this year, is likely to have a distinctive design compared to its smaller and bigger brothers. 

Despite the heavy camouflage, the Audi design lineage is visible, and there is still an apparent connection with both the upcoming A8 and the smaller A4. Proportions wise, the 2018 A6 seems to distinguish itself by having a larger greenhouse. The bigger, hexagonal grille is almost identical to that on the upcoming A8, while the headlights are larger in size, not to mention that their outline is different. 

Looking at the wheels on this prototype, the spied model could be either a hybrid or an Ultra version of the A6, developed from the ground up to use less fuel and be more aerodynamic. Speaking of aerodynamics, the new A6 is expected to cut more efficiently through the air thanks to the repositioning of the exterior mirrors on the doors and a more slippery front end. 

Engine wise, Audi will switch to four-cylinder and six-cylinder units exclusively, including the S6 version. The only variant with an eight-cylinder will be the future RS6, which will get a reworked version of the 4.0-litre V8 that was recently introduced on the 2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo.

We expect the production version of the 2018 A6 to be officially unveiled near the end of 2017, most likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The updated model will then take on the likes of all-new BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF and the Mercedes E-Class.