New Audi A6 Saloon clinches its first award since launch, while the A1 notches up its tenth accolade in 2011

• Flagship Audi A6 tops the Best Executive Car category at Auto Express’s annual awards ceremony
• Audi A1 adds the title of ‘Best Premium Supermini’ to its honours list

Audi earned a pair of awards – one for the new A6 Saloon and one for the A1 – at the prestigious Auto Express New Car Awards at Woburn Safari Park last night (2 August).

The all-new A6 was named Best Executive Saloon by the panel of Auto Express judges, marking the first award for the new generation model, while the already highly-decorated A1 topped the Best Premium Supermini class.

Graham Hope, Acting Editor of Auto Express, explained “The new A6 has wasted no time in demonstrating its abilities, having seen off a whole host of talented and desirable rivals to secure class honours in this competitive sector. The car’s stunning cabin, excellent engines and sharp dynamics set a benchmark for other to beat.”

Amy Wand, Audi UK’s Product Manager for the A6 Saloon, said “We’re delighted that the A6 Saloon has picked up its first award so soon after its launch, reinforcing the fact that it really sets the benchmark in its class for luxury and refinement. With such a wealth of innovative technology – which was long-reserved for the premium D segment – combined with advancements in lightweight construction and engine efficiency, the A6 has remained true to our ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ philosophy, proving exactly why it is the class best-seller in Europe.”

Prices for the A6 Saloon start from £30,145 OTR for the 2.0 TDI 177PS SE model and rise to £41,640 for the range-topping 3.0 TFSI 300PS S line with quattro all-wheel drive.

Top marks for the Audi A1
‘Best Supermini’ is the latest in the premium sub-compact hatchback’s haul of ten awards this year in the UK alone. Hope commented: “It’s top marks for the Audi A1, which scoops this year’s premium supermini prize. With its winning blend of style, refinement and top-notch quality, the A1 is a cut above the competition.”

Neysan Vahdat, A1 Product Manager at Audi UK, said “The A1 is having a stunning first year, and has proved its wide-ranging appeal with this Best Supermini award from Auto Express. We wanted to bring a subcompact hatchback to market that was as uncompromisingly ‘Audi’ as our customers would expect in every way – from its performance to its styling and build quality – and it seems that customers and journalists are still as excited about it as we are.”

The Auto Express New Car accolade joins the A1’s What Car? Car of the Year 2011 title, awards from Fleet News Magazine, Fleet World Magazine, Business Car Magazine, CarBuyer.co.uk, parkers.co.uk, honestjohn.co.uk, and a British Insurance vehicle Security Award (BIVSA).

Prices for the A1 start from £13,420 OTR (1.2 TFSI 86PS SE model) and go to £20,710 OTR for the top of the range 1.4 TFSI 185PS S line S tronic.