Audi A6 2012 Review

With good reason our boss, Mike Sinclair spoke highly of the new 'small' Audi A6 models, equipped with 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol or diesel engines in his recent road test review. Three V6 models are also available in the local A6 line up: a 2.8-litre petrol and, as tested here, two (petrol and diesel) 3.0-litre engines.

The 3.0 TFSI and TDI models are similarly equipped in terms of the standard-fit kit applied to the c.$120K cars. That's a lot of money considering equally enjoyable ownership of a spacious and gracious Audi-badged sedan can also come by way of the 2.0-litre A6, starting at $77,900.

These top-shelf A6 models rightfully boast equipment upgrades like a 14-speaker stereo system compared to the 2.0 models' 10-speaker version and 18-inch (versus 17-inch) alloys. The 3.0 models standards list includes electric front seat (driver's with memory-setting) adjustment, proximity key and button start/stop, electric park brake, camera-assisted reverse parking, bi-xenon headlamps with washers and light sensing, paddle shift for the seven-speed auto and sat-nav.

The refined power offered by both 3.0-litre engines is another worthy reason to consider the step up in the A6 range. We drove the 220kW/440Nm petrol version first; unfortunately confined to city-to-suburb commute. Fuel consumption for the week was an unremarkable 10.4L/100km; and that with the standard-fit stop-start function employed full-time to counter Melbourne's traffic.

A decent freeway run in combination would lower the figure. We spent around half the week driving the 3.0 T model in manual mode to uncover the engine's verve, of which there is plenty, but settling back to enjoy the A6's comforts and operability by auto is also rewarding.

The petrol model was fitted with Audi's Driver Select program; set for the majority of the time in 'Dynamic' mode and leaving the system to decide best on chassis control. Generally we can't argue however at times the sedan will react to road faults without enough absorption, affecting its usually composed ride.

The diesel option is around $5000 cheaper but there's no compromise for taking the more economical route; in the first place and presumably for the long run. The 180kW/500Nm engine betrays no cumbrous lag, with torque available from around 1400 revs, and unsurprisingly our consumption figure for the week started with a single figure: 8.3L/100km. Drive requirements during the test period were the same for the diesel as those for the petrol version.

On this occasion the test diesel model's interior wasn't spec'ed as 'nicely' as the petrol version; basically coming down to dodgy decisions made from Audi's extensive choice for interior treatment. Grey leather cabin trim and walnut inlay, for example, doesn't even match on paper. Audi's no-cost option array for customers is actually tasteful and generous, and works well with the A6's attractive layout for the dash, instrumentation and passenger consoles.

As mentioned by our fishing, cycling, golf-playing Editor, the A6 has ample room to accommodate recreation with good-sized boot and split-fold rear seating. Sinkers also again raised his concerns on Audi's steering feel in our review for the 2.0-litre models but for this tester, its lightness for the A6 was welcome while maneuvering the long mid-sizer through traffic to town and back. Its relatively tight turning circle (11.9m) is also handy in the city however the quattro all-wheel drive system 'binds up' during low-speed sharp turns.

For those looking to update, the new A6's wheelbase is longer than the outgoing model's however the turning circle figure remains. Differences in agility between the diesel and petrol models were undetectable. According to Audi's figures on weight, there's 55kg difference (1795kg for the diesel).

As for which A6 3.0 model is better: it's hard to judge. Admittedly that sounds like a fencesitter's call but both deserve careful consideration; looking beyond the smallish premium for the petrol model.

Car buyers tell us the task of filling up with diesel is off-putting (dirty at the pump; equally vulnerable to price shift…) while we'd argue the longer stint between visits to the service station is a bonus. The petrol version has a performance edge in terms of engine response and (for what it's worth) snarl, but there's no compromise -- in fact, some convenience -- in choosing the diesel.

Either way, the A6's limo-like appointment and comfort for all corresponds with a serene and addictive effect behind the wheel, even if that means you're now the regular chauffeur…

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