Audi A6 3.0 TFSI
Road Test
RRP: $112,500
Price as tested: $126,338 (includes adaptive cruise control $3371, adaptive headlights $1165, main beam assist $312, metallic paint $2000, Valcona leather upholstery $1400, sports seats $1500, Comfort Package including advanced key, music interface, parking system with rear view camera, sunroof and sports steering wheel with paddle shifters $4090)
Crash rating: Five-star ANCAP
Fuel: 95 RON
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 9.5
CO2 emissions (g/km): 225
Also consider: BMW 5 Series (more here), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (more here), Lexus GS (more here), Honda Legend (more here)
Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 2.5/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0
About our ratings
We wrote in our launch review (more here) that we were looking forward to spending time with the new 3.0-litre supercharged V6 A6 in an urban environment to get a better perspective.
During our first drive on country roads in the A6 3.0 TFSI left us underwhelmed by its performance -- particularly given Audi has installed this as the headlining engine, having dropped the 4.2 V8. Back-to-back against the cheaper 2.8 FSI V6 across sweeping roads, the bigger engine didn't feel like it could live up to its role in the range.
Now, having spent some 'quality time' with the 3.0 TFSI around town, this writer is happy to report he was wrong.
While the old 4.2 V8 pumped out 246kW and the 3.0 TFSI only manages 213kW, the most important statistic of both engines is torque. With its 420Nm peak (identical to the V8) the 3.0 TFSI jumps away from rest and delivers palpable thrust in real world overtaking conditions. The secret is that same peak torque is available from 2500rpm -- 1000rpm earlier than the eight.
An even more pleasant surprise is the noise made by the TFSI. At cruising speeds the engine is quiet and civilised as you'd expect, but under heavy acceleration the supercharger emits a glorious whine that blends perfectly with the growl of the V6's exhaust to create beautiful aural experience.
Fuel efficiency drove Audi down the supercharging path. It claims the 3.0 TFSI is good for 9.5L/100km on a combined cycle -- significantly better than the 11.6L/100km claim for the V8 on combined cycle. In our experience to achieve that number in either car would require very careful monitoring of your right foot. Impressively, this author didn't always heed that advice but still managed to finish the week in the 3.0 TFSI with a figure of 11.3L/100km.
The rest of the car was as we remembered on the launch; a refined and comfortable performer with good dynamics.
The steering is direct and balanced, the brakes are effective and confidence inspiring and the gearbox is efficient. Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system provides good grip in all conditions (something that came in handy during a Melbourne downpour) and didn't have a negative impact on the turning circle.
As far as the interior experience goes the seats are comfortable and the controls live up to the usual Audi easy-to-use standards. Rear seat room is good and the boot is more than adequate for most tasks with good width and length.
If you want a luxury German large sedan then the A6 is well worth considering -- and the 3.0 TFSI V6 is definitely the pick of the powerplants.