Road test report -- February 2009

by Kevin Fenix.

Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro

From whatever angle you look at it, this latest Audi A6 is a beautiful looking car. The test car was painted in Oyster Grey metallic and practically everyone I spoke to commented most favourably on the colour. Inside it was upholstered in pale grey/star silver Valcona leather. It just oozed luxury, comfort and refinement, from every quarter. This is the sort of car I could comfortably live with for the rest of my life !
As I headed home from the collection point, the car just glided along with an absolutely effortless ease. It was incredibly smooth and quiet and the Tiptronic gearbox just added to the whole effortless nature of the drive. It was only when I lifted the bonnet several days later to photograph the engine, that I realised it was a 3.0 litre V6 diesel. For most of the test I drove the car in normal mode, but I did try the Sport mode as well. In the Sport setting, I sensed that the dampers were a little bit firmer, but other than an almost Lamborghini like urge, the car remained just as quiet, silky smooth and utterly refined. The car was equipped with all kinds of electronic gadgets and conveniences, which would have taken me a month or longer to get to know them all. Unfortunately the test period does not last that long, so I got on with using just those few items I needed for my daily driving. On that score the car had everything I wanted, with an effortless performance to match. Irish roads, generally speaking, are pathetic, so there are very few places where you can enjoy the performance to the full and none where you can do so legally. However, if you do find a place where you can do so, this car has a top speed electronically governed to 250 kph (155 mph) with 0-100 kph acceleration in just 6.8 seconds. I can sum the performance in in just one word, Scintillating !

The instrument panel is beautifully laid out under a curved hood, behind the steering wheel. The main analogue instruments have black faces with white lettering and red needles. On the tachometer, the white lettering changes to red from 4,600 rpm to 6,000 rpm. It also has red digital readings for the time and the date. The matching speedometer has a digital panel in its lower section for information like trip and total distance recording, plus warning lights for things like the handbrake. Between these two main dials there is a rectangular digital panel displaying information like the outside air temperature, the gear selected, a door open etc. There is a further section, under the hood and between the two main instruments, with a battery of warning lights for other functions, like an unfastened seat belt in an occupied seat.
The right hand stalk under the steering controls the windscreen washers and wipers. The upper left hand stalk operates the direction indicators and main/high beams, while the lower stalk operates the cruise control and its settings.
Dual level climate control is provided and the panel with all the necessary functions is in the lower section of the central console ahead of the gearlever. This includes the buttons for the heated front seats. The seats themselves are electrically adjustable for reach, height, backrest angle, cushion tilt and lumbar support. These controls are located on the outer side of the seat frame. The luxurious, leather covered steering wheel, apart from its excellent feel, adjusts for both reach and height and incorporates convenient controls for the audio system and Bluetooth telephone installation.
A large panel in the centre of the facia gives all the audio information, besides serving as the colour information screen for the satellite navigation, where that is fitted and includes a further digital clock. Further controls for the on-board computer and other items of the comprehensive equipment list are conveniently situated on the centre console, between the two front seats, behind the gearlever.

The rear seat backrest is split 60/40 and the 60 section includes a folding armrest, that is also used to store the first aid kit and is the location of the ski hatch. The two outer seating positions are fitted with ISOfix fittings for child safety seats. These two outer positions are comfortable and spacious. The centre section is harder and people sitting there would sit higher, as the cushion has less give in it. Like most cars, while a third adult can be carried, it it much better to limit adult passengers in the rear seat to just two persons. Three children would, probably not complain too much about the comfort aspects of the centre section of the rear seat.

Earlier I mentioned the scintillating performance, in terms of potential top speed and acceleration. In spite of the fact that it is a large car, the A6 handles beautifully. The steering is geared to give a sporty 2.8 turns from lock to lock and being speed sensitive, that precise feeling is always there, whether you are manoeuvring in a constricted space in a car park, sweeping along a twisting mountain road or cruising at the limit on a motorway. As befits a car of this size and class, it delivers a comfortable, limousine quality ride over most road surfaces in normal mode. That firms up a bit in Sport mode, but it never becomes uncomfortable or unacceptable. The roadholding is helped by the fact that the Quattro all wheel drive, puts down all the power in a safe and well distributed manner.
A scintillating performance and a frugal fuel consumption, do not usually go hand in hand. This big, comfortable, luxurious saloon car, delivers an excellent 30 mpg (9.3 lt/100 km) on the urban cycle. Get away from the traffic, the congestion and the other annoyances and you can expect up to 48 mpg (5.8 lt/100 km) on the extra urban cycle. This gives a combined cycle average of 39 mpg (7.1 lt/100 km), which as far as I am concerned, is excellent. This translates into a combined cycle average carbon dioxide exhaust emission of 189 gm/km. Under present Irish regulations that would result in an annual road tax demand for 630 euro.
One of the things that pleased me tremendously about this car, was the fact that it came with a proper, full size spare wheel, with a normal road tyre. This stores away unobtrusively below the luggage boot floor. In spite of this the car still offers a roomy 0.546 cubic metres of luggage space in the normal boot. That is before you drop the rear seat backrests to extend the space for long or awkward items at the expense of rear passenger seating accommodation.

Above left : Normal luggage space ------------------- Above right : Maximum luggage space

Bearing in mind the gross vehicle weight, you are allowed to carry up to 100 kg in a suitable container on the roof. Towing limits are 1900 kg with a braked trailer/caravan or 750 kg with an unbraked trailer.

Below : A proper, full size, spare wheel - excellent !