Audi A6 3.0TDi RANGE
Although boxing managers know that a good little un will always beat a poor big un, size counts in the executive car market. Take Audis A6, traditionally the shortest, narrowest car in the sector when compared to rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar. No longer. The third generation A6 has turned the tables on its opposition, entering the heavyweight division not only with more space but, in the case of the diesel 3.
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Lets identify this Audis rivals. The Mercedes E320CDi Elegance, the Jaguar S-TYPE 2.7 S Diesel and the BMW 530d SE are the cars the A6 needs to put out for the count. Not only is it a good deal bigger than all three but at £31,045 on the road in saloon form (or from £32,315 as an Avant estate), its significantly cheaper than the German duo and within a couple of hundred pounds of the Jaguar.
Its markedly more powerful than all three challengers, the 225bhp engine setting a new class benchmark and easy beating the 204bhp of the most expensive car of the trio, the Mercedes. That power advantage also means that its one of the quickest and although its advantage is clear over the Jaguar, that huge body takes a serious engine to get it moving. A sprint to 60mph takes just 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 150mph put it on a par with the BMW and its also a fair bit quicker off the line than the Mercedes.
It seems as if the Audi has swept all before it. If there is one Achilles heel in the A6 3.0 TDIs make up, it comes in the form of its emissions figures. Emitting 229 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometer, the Audi will be significantly more expensive in terms of benefit in kind taxation than all three of its key rivals.
Its also a bit thirstier with a combined fuel consumption figure of 33.2mpg. Do bear in mind when making comparisons of this sort that the Audi is fitted with a six-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox as standard. This gearbox is a massive 14kg lighter than its five-speed predecessor.
Audi have also widened the gear ratios, giving the A6 better pick up at low speeds and more relaxed high speed cruising ability. The shift is faster and the downshifts are accompanied by an automatic double-declutching feature that blips the throttle in a sporting fashion. A sport mode will interest keener drivers although the gearbox isnt as quick-witted as the DSG twin-clutch manual thats fitted to the top of the range TT coupe.
"It seems as if the Audi has swept all before it"
Putting power down in all weathers is virtually guaranteed due not only too an array of clever electronics but the security of Quattro all wheel drive. A Torsen differential automatically optimizes the amount of torque sent to all four wheels. Under normal conditions, 50 per cent of the engines power goes to each axle with up to 75 per cent going to one axle in more extreme cases. The latest Bosch ESP package, ESP8, is also fitted as well as ASR traction control and electronic differential lock (EDL).
Another new function that ESP8 brings is brake disc cleaning. This helps keep the brake discs dry even on the wettest roads with the brake linings pressed against the discs under very low hydraulic pressure. The ESP system can be momentarily disabled by tapping the dash mounted button, useful when accelerating on gravel or deep snow, and can be fully deactivated by holding the button. The A6s key styling feature is that prominent grille or, as Audi prefer to call it, the single frame.
Look beyond that and youll notice the curvaceous flanks, topped and tailed by a sharp longitudinal crease line that forms a definite hip and the rising edge in the door sills that creates a great deal of tension and shadow in the A6s profile. The Ingolstadt company claims the worlds tightest shut lines and the panel fit around the door is indeed superb, the 2.5mm apertures between the doors and body panels being astonishingly uniform. Gone are the days when the pound coin test would separate the best from the rest when it comes to panel fit.
The design isnt all show however. The neat integrated tail spoiler helps cut rear lift to a mere 19kg at 150mph. This represents a quarter of the outgoing models lift and the drag coefficient has been cut too from 0.31 to a slippery 0.
28. The overall length has swelled to 4916mm, up a whole 121mm over the outgoing car. The boot is a whopping 546 litres in all saloon models (Avant estates to follow in 2005) which is not only bigger than the 5 Series and the E Class but also manages to put this cars big brother, the A8, in the shade. Driver enjoyment is a key feature of the A6 3.
0TDI and the car benefits from a quicker steering rack while retaining current suspension settings albeit with fifteen per cent more travel. Existing A6 drivers wont recognise the feel behind the wheel and they can be excused for not feeling instantly at home with the interior. Although much of the look and feel is reminiscent again of the A8, the dashboard features a binnacle and centre console that angles towards the driver and is quite unlike anything yet seen in an Audi. The quality of the cabin remains top notch but theres a little more style and colour contrast here, Audi finally recognising that the coal hole dark plastic look was just that little bit too nineties to cut it these days.
The Audi A6 3.0TDI shows that bigger, faster and better built dont come for free. The price looks tempting and the overall package is very good but those corporate buyers looking to rack up big miles may find the ongoing running costs a tad steep. Private buyers who want to treat themselves will have very little cause for complaint.
Audis rivals should be worried.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Audi A6 3.0TDi
PRICE: £31,045 - £34,885 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 16
CO2 EMISSIONS: 229g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 151mph/ 0-60mph 7.3s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 34.0mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, rear and side airbags, ABS, ESP, EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height(mm)4916/1860/1460
