The C8-generation Audi A6 has arrived in Malaysia, though for now details are a little thin on the ground; what we do know is that Ingolstadt’s contender to the likes of the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class for the Malaysian market will be priced at RM589,900 on-the-road excluding insurance in 3.0 litre V6 TFSI quattro guise. The previous, C7-generation facelift 3.0TFSI was priced at RM484,900.

The example photographed here in the German marque’s Glenmarie showroom omits the numerical badge on its rear end, though a look into the engine bay reveals a petrol V6 TFSI engine. It offers 335 hp and 500 Nm of torque, sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Also featuring here is the automaker’s 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, which pairs a belt-alternator starter (BAS) with a rear-mounted lithium-ion battery to enable coasting between 55-160 km/h. This powertrain enables the A6 to do the 0-100 km/h acceleration run in 5.1 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

The C8 Audi A6 follows family form in adopting the Singleframe grille in front, while at the back the tail lamps are joined by a single chrome piece alike that on the A8 flagship, though here without the LED bar atop. Dressed in S Line package, the front end gets a set of more aggressive air intakes, with a similarly sculpted bumper at the rear end. Rolling stock comprises 20-inch alloys wrapped with 255/40 tyres all around.

The A6 shares much of its interior with the latest A7 Sportback, which has also arrived in Malaysia at the same time, though here with brown leather upholstery for some contrast compared to the predominantly black trim of the A7. The driver gets a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit and a head-up display projector, while the centre console houses a pair of touchscreens measuring 10.1 inches and 8.6 inches respectively.

The larger one on top controls infotainment functions for the MMI navigation plus system, while the slightly smaller one below is where climate control, text input and other convenience functions are housed. Entertainment audio comes courtesy of a Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Currently, a similarly sized German sedan with the same cylinder count would be the Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ sedan, though that occupies a higher price point (estimated RM740,000) in exchange for even greater performance, where a mild-hybrid 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six with eleectric compressor produces 435 hp and 520 Nm of torque. Like what you see here?