1998-2004 Audi A6: Year-to-Year Changes

1999 Audi A6: Only minor equipment changes marked the '99 models. A larger right-door mirror went on all models, and a first-aid kit was installed. A Homelink transmitter and auto-dimming door mirrors were newly included in the extra-cost Convenience package. Rear heated seats were added to the Cold Weather Package. Audi's Warm Weather option group lost insulated glass, but gained manual sunshades for the rear side windows. During the 1999 model year, the sedan gained a sport suspension option and available 5-speed manual shift for its Quattro edition. Sedans could have front-wheel drive or Quattro all-wheel drive, but Avant wagons all had the Quattro system.

2000 Audi A6: Two new performance sedans joined the lineup this year. A6 2.8 sedans and Avant wagons kept the prior 200-horsepower, 2.8-liter V6 with 5-speed automatic. The 2.8 Quattro sedan could now be fitted with a 5-speed manual transmission. Audi's new 2.7T Quattro sedan got a 250-horsepower twin-turbo V6 with 6-speed manual or no-extra-cost automatic transmission. Topping the line was a new 4.2 Quattro sedan with a 300 horsepower V8 (automatic only) and slightly different styling. New Sideguard "curtain" airbags, standard on the 4.2 and optional on other models, dropped down from above the side windows for head protection during a side impact. All models could now get an optional satellite-linked navigation system with audio and visual direction prompts, but no video screen display.

2001 Audi A6: An SUV-inspired allroad wagon model was added for 2001. It had unique exterior cladding and an air-spring suspension for up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance. Automatic-transmission models now offered optional steering-wheel buttons for manual shifting. Steering wheel audio/cell phone controls and passenger-seat memory were newly standard on 4.2 models. An antiskid system became optional on 2.8 models, while curtain side airbags were now standard on 2.8s. Audi's basic warranty was extended from 3 years/50,000 mi. to 4/50,000.

2002 Audi A6: New for '02 was the S6 Avant with a 340-hp 4.2 V8, sport suspension and tires, and aluminum exterior trim. A 3.0 sedan and Avant wagon replaced 2.8 models and had a 220-hp 3.0-liter V6 instead of a 200-hp 2.8 V6. The 3.0 sedan came with a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or quattro AWD; all other models came with quattro front-drive. All '02 A6s got an in-dash 6-disc CD changer, new front- and rear-appearance touches, and revised dashboards. OnStar assistance became available midyear, and could be enhanced with extra-cost in-car e-mail service.

2003 Audi A6: For 2003, leather seat inserts are standard for 3.0s and the 2.7T. The 2.7T trades 16-inch wheels for standard 17s. On the debit side, front passenger-seat memory is dropped, and the sunroof is optional instead of standard on the 4.2 sedan. Added midyear was the limited-production RS 6 sedan. It has a 450-hp twin-turbo V8, Audi's new self-adjusting Dynamic Ride Control suspension, 18-inch wheels, and specific trim, and includes OnStar

2004 Audi A6: Added for '04 is a satellite radio option and a V8 engine for the allroad quattro. Dropped this year are the S6 Avant and RS 6 sedan.