Audi A6 Euro NCAP crash test

5 stars. Overall excellent performance in crash protection and well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology

The passenger compartment of the A6 remained stable in the frontal offset test.  Dummy readings showed good protection for the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger.  Audi showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions.  In the full-width rigid barrier test, seatbelt pre-tensioners and load-limiters in the front and rear seats ensured adequate protection for the chest.  Protection of other critical body areas was good.  In the side barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good.  In the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was rated as marginal, based on dummy readings of lateral rib compression.  Protection of other parts of the body was good.  Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision.  A geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection.  The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system performed well in tests of its functionality at the low speeds, typical of city driving, at which many whiplash injuries are caused.

In the frontal offset test, protection of all critical body areas was good apart from the neck of the 10-year child, for which dummy readings of neck forces indicated marginal protection.  In the side barrier test, protection of all critical parts of the body was good.  The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position.  Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded.  All of the restraint types for which the A6 is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.

The A6 has a 'pop-up' bonnet, for additional pedestrian protection.  Sensors detect when a pedestrian has been hit and actuators lift the bonnet to provide greater clearance to the hard structures in the engine compartment.  Audi showed that the system deployed robustly for different pedestrian statures and over a range of speed so the car was tested with the bonnet in the raised position.  Good or adequate results were recorded at almost all test locations.  The bumper scored maximum points for its protection of pedestrian legs, with good results recorded at all test locations.  Protection of the pelvis was mixed.  The AEB system can detect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.  In tests of this functionality, the system performed well, with collisions avoided or mitigated in almost all tests.

The AEB system performed well in tests of its functionality at the highway speeds.  The standard-fit speed assistance system consists of a driver-set speed limiter.  A more advanced system is available as an option, not included in this assessment, which recognises the local speed limit and presents the information to the driver.  A seatbelt reminder is standard for front and rear seats.  The lane support system helps the driver to keep the car from drifting out of lane but is also able, in some circumstances, to intervene in emergency situations.