Audi A6 2.8 FSI Quattro 2011 review

A new Audi A6 is throwing a punch at the large luxury heavyweights, the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Audi has struggled to lure cashed up customers into its big luxury machines including the A6 and even larger A8 in Australia, but is confident this new model will convince many when it arrives in July.

The new car is more spacious and 80kg lighter than the last thanks to the extensive use of aluminium. It has a range of remarkably efficient engines, while there is a lot of fresh technology. Audi has followed BMW and added heads-up display feature, which projects information such as the speed onto the bottom of the windscreen, and will also offer a squiggle pad data entry system, which allows you to draw letters and numbers to control items such as the satellite navigation.

Audi is yet to lock in pricing for the new A6, but don't expect it to shift too far from the current position. That means the range will likely start off at close to $90,000, although a more affordable version could well be added later.

TECHNOLOGY

There will be three engines to choose from to start off with, including two petrol units and a diesel, but history suggests a smaller cheaper diesel engine will come, as will a hot V8 version. All three of the initial engines use stop/start technology, which kills the engine when you pull up to a stop and fires it up again when you are ready to go.

The entry level engine is a 2.8-litre V6 with 150 kiloWatts and 280 Newton-metres of torque. It has an official fuel economy uses 8 litres per 100km and an emissions rating of 187 grams per kilometre.

The other petrol powerplant is a 3.0-litre V6 with a supercharger nestled on top and it produces an impressive 220kW and 440Nm of torque. Its fuel consumption is better than you might expect, with an official average of just 8.2L/100km and emissions rating of 190g/km.

The diesel is a 3.0-litre turbo V6 with 180kW and 500Nm. It uses very little fuel, with an economy average of just 6L/100km and emissions of 158g/km.

All models run Audi's Quattro constant all-wheel drive system and a seven speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

DESIGN

The A6 looks like a shrunken A8 limo. It has a hunkered down appearance with narrow headlights and tail lights stretched to give it a wide and imposing look. Like other Audis, the front end is still dominated by a big grille while Audi has added some extra bling with LED driving lights.

SAFETY

As the price tag suggests, there is a huge amount of safety gear in the A6 including a full suite of airbags and electronic stability control. Optional systems include a special radar cruise control system that can bring the car to an emergency halt if the vehicle in front stops suddenly. There is also a thermal imaging night vision system that highlights pedestrians in red to warn the driver.

DRIVING

A test drive on the tough roads of Sicily quickly reveals there is lot to like about the new A6. In many ways, it feels just like a shrunken down version of the bigger A8 luxury limo. The interior looks great, as is the case with most Audis, and its classy mix of understated design and top quality woodgrain and chrome-look trim matches the price of the car.

Audi has done a very good job with the engines. The base 2.8-litre non-turbo V6 is a surprise and actually seemed to get along pretty well. It does better than the numbers suggest and is quite smooth too. The supercharged 3.0-litre V6 is a potent engine and turns the A6 into a very fast car indeed. That said, it doesn't sound fast or exciting. The diesel is the most sensible, with lots of pulling power and super economy. It rattles, like any diesel, but the pay-off is in the way it responds to your right foot.

The seven-speed dual clutch automatic is an effective transmission in general with nice quick changes. Only every now and again does it get caught out and thump when shifting. It is very quiet in the cabin apart from some tyre roar on some surfaces and there is also a fair amount interior space.

The ride is comfortable, even on some of Sicily's rougher roads. As for the handling, well, the A6 isn't really a very involving car and is not as fun to drive fast as a BMW 5 Series.

The steering is light and lacks feel. The air suspension on the cars we drove was too soft, which also hurt its ability to change direction in hurry. A run in a car with regular steel spring suspension showed it is a much better solution for sporty driving, but also remains comfortable.

VERDICT

Not the sportiest car in its class, but has a lot else going for it including comfort, elegant design and a whole range of trick luxury features.

AUDI A6

Price: TBC
Engines: 2.8-litre V6 with direct injection and dual overhead camshafts, 3.0-litre supercharged V6 with direct injection and dual overhead camshafts and 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 with direct injection and dual overhead camshafts
Output: 150kW at 5250-6500revs and 280Nm at 5250-6500revs (2.8), 220kW at 5250-6500revs and 440Nm at 2900-4500revs (3.0) and 180kW at 4000-4500revs and 500Nm at 1400-3250revs (3.0 diesel)
Economy: 8 litres per 100km (2.8), 8.2L/100km (3.0) and 6L/100km (3.0 diesel)
Emissions: 187 grams per kilometre (2.8), 190g/km (3.0) and 158g/km (3.0 diesel)