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Audi A6 3.0 TDI S-line

Audi's all-new A6 is quicker, more agile and better quality than ever before, but is that enough for it to topple the 5-Series? Read our review to find out

Audi A6 3.0 TDI S-line front

By Sam Hardy

January 2011

Everyone has an arch rival – and for the Audi A6, there’s no greater nemesis than the BMW 5-Series. In the UK, it’s never got the better of its opponent, though. It’s never looked as good, never driven as well, never had the same want-it factor. But could that all change with this all-new model?  

Made from more aluminium and high-tech steels than ever, it’s lighter than its rivals, so it’s faster yet more efficient. And with a chassis from the sporty A7, it should be great fun too.  Prices start from £30,145 for the entry-level 2.0TDI and stretch to the £41,620 for the 3.0TFSI quattro with first deliveries in March.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Audi A6

 

It’s certainly a lot better looking than its predecessor – even if it does look like a slightly smaller A8. Its aerodynamic shape boasts some sharp surfacing and a lovely curved roofline, while the neat taillights and that bold grille with its smart LED daytime running lights really finish things off. 

Inside, the baby A8 feel continues. The dashboard sweeps classily across the facia, the centre console is logically laid out and all the materials, from metals to plastics to leathers, are of a really high standard. 

The gadget count is high. In standard SE trim, you get satnav with a 6.5-inch digital display and voice control, Bluetooth, climate control and a 180 watt sound system with 10 loudspeakers. Not to mention 17-inch alloys Audi’s clever Drive Select system – which allows you to tweak the responses of the throttle, gearbox and steering – as well as fuel-saving tech such as stop-start. 

S line trim adds posher leather, electric sports seats and a subtle bodykit with 18-inch alloys. Predictably, there are plenty of tempting options. You can tick the box for night vision, a head-up display, a voice and touch operated satnav system (just draw the individual letters of your destination on a pad and keep your eyes on the road), as well as a Bang and Olufsen stereo and a TV. 

But what about space? Well, despite being shorter than the old car, the new A6 is a little wider and as a result, there’s more legroom and headroom. In the back there’s space for two six-foot tall adults while the 530-litre boot puts the A6 between the 5-Series and the Mercedes E-Class.  

Traditionally, the driving experience has always done the same – and there’s no change with this new version. The A6 isn’t quite as comfy as an E-Class or quite as sporty as a 5-Series. It falls between the two, but it still strikes a neat balance.   

Lightweight plays a part. All that aluminium helps keep our top-spec 3.0TDI quattro S line model to 1,720kg – not as featherweight as the 1575kg entry-level 2.0-litre diesel but the same as a BMW 530d despite having four-wheel drive.

You can feel that in the way the door swings open easily – but on the move this feels every inch the planted yet fast saloon. The 242bhp 3.0-litre TDI V6 provides sports car performance with zero to 62mph in seven seconds and thanks to 500Nm of torque and a slick-shifting seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox, overtaking is ridiculously easy. It’s extremely efficient too – returning almost 50mpg and emitting just 158g/km of CO2 – and remarkably quiet. 

It doesn’t feel quite as good an all-rounder as the 5-Series though. No matter which Drive Select mode you choose, the steering feels completely removed from the action. Our S line model had 20m lower sports suspension and together with larger wheels, that makes the ride very firm indeed. 

But it’s still magnificent at covering long distances with ease. And the ace up the Audi’s sleeve is four-wheel drive. Featuring the RS5’s crown-gear centre differential and torque vectoring, there’s always plenty of traction and given the UK’s recent harsh winters will be reason enough for many buyers to make a purchase. Particularly when the Avant estate arrives later this year.

Has the A6 finally thrown a sucker punch at the 5-Series? Well, it’s genuinely good looking, extremely efficient, spacious and good to drive. It’s also remarkably well equipped and well made. If driver involvement is a priority then the 5-Series still takes it. But what Audi has done is build a slightly smaller A8. And that’s a tempting prospect. 

BMW 530d SE Auto 
At £40,300, the 5-Series might well be cheaper than the A6 but it doesn’t come with an M Sport bodykit – the closest thing to the Audi’s striking S line trim – or satellite navigation. The two are matched on performance and economy, although the BMW is still the better of the two to drive. But, the gap is much narrower than before. 

For an alternative review of the latest Audi A6 visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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13 Comments

Don't get either - buy the Jaguar XF that has some personality instead of these bland German white goods.

By gherkins123 on 27 January, 2011, 7:19am

The interiors great - a huge improvement but the exterior has a touch of KIA about it. Now KIA is beginning to make some nice cars but I'm suprised Audi is trying to emulate them.

By IronChicken on 27 January, 2011, 8:44am

Just Not Enough...

Done with the design to make it appeal more than the BMW, which is a beautiful looking car.

It looks like more of a facelift than a bran new model generation.

By Bond_James_Bond on 27 January, 2011, 11:21am

All new design?

Apart from the appearance that is.

All the Germans appear to be stuck in a rut at the moment - once you have gone down the road of Bauhaus simplicity it seems there are no side turnings.
Mercedes seem to be trying by bolting on hideous new grilles to the front of their cars - but BMW, VW, Porsche and Audi obviously feel they have "peaked"

By ukmike2000 on 27 January, 2011, 1:18pm

Usual rubbish peddled by the Sun, sorry Autoexpress readers above. 5 Series looks a mess, E Class looks like a Mk2 Granada. The XF is starting to age as well. A6 was a beutiful car and still is. In my experience it will be far better assembled than the BM or Merc as well.

By hampson10 on 27 January, 2011, 8:31pm

very nice

This is a very smart looking car.

Any car that has an essence of R8 about it, is a cool looking car! As for the Jag, it aint british any more its indian, so get over it. Plus those headlights make it look like a Hyundai.

The BMW 5 is not bad looking either, though that over profiled bonnet does ruin its looks.

And as for the merc, it just looks bulky and unorthodox.

But in the real world theres not much between any of these cars, its just down to taste.

By paramore1 on 28 January, 2011, 1:04am

don't get me wrong German engineering is good but the one thing i really hate about some of the german cars inc Alfa 159 is that some of the cars in their range are kind of designed like driver cockpits. The impression they give is its a driver's car and the drivers enjoys everything, buttons are geared towards the driver, and dashboard is pointed at the driver. i hate this, becuase it means the passenger is kind of left out and all it gets is a plank of wood and a glove compartment to enjoy. the Jag excels in this in the sense the passenger can "equallly" enjoy what's on offer on the centre dash and enjoy the impressive view. their cars have got bags of character, prestige, and Jag have taken it beyond an engineering task and no, its not Indian its still British, designed and built by British people on British soil with a Welsh built engine and unlike the fat yanks Tata is doing a better job of helping it stand on its feet.

There is no guessing the A4 will end up looking like this.

By corsamani on 28 January, 2011, 1:19pm

I also agree 100% with ukMike2000

German car designs are very uninspiring. its like they are going through a designing mid-life crisis and coming out with cars that can only make a little kid cry. Audi are playing it safe. seems audi spend most of the design budget on the redesigning the head and tail lights while everything else is just tweaked a little. Merc? i am sorry but they have lost the "plot" they designs are more on the line of ugly than shear elegance they haven;t been able to design a worthy car that is as distinctive as the CLS.

By corsamani on 28 January, 2011, 1:26pm

nice

and by the way they will sell boat loads of these all over the world.....

By autounionDI on 31 January, 2011, 6:36am

Beautifully Built

The A6 is a beautiful car. Like most Audi s it's of outstanding quality and well put together.

As for the KIA comment... Do you know the difference between a KIA and an Audi? Clearly not. I do know that the chap who designed the Audi TT and some others now works for KIA. But that us irrelevant.

I find Mercs ugly, their LEDs look retrofitted and just don't look right..they are not built as well as they used to and their interiors have suffered greatly. I ve actually heard a merc squeak more than Toyota of a similar age. Not good. BMWs are too common. Yes they drive like go carts but they are a hard ride and the interiors/display just not up to Audi. BMW s don't have the sane weighty feel of a merc or Audi.

They are all good German cars. I agree it's all about taste and what suits you. Audi offers something between the two major german luxury manufacturers. It's just right. It's not pompous and it's not chavvy

By A330driver on 7 February, 2011, 9:08pm

Beautifully Built

Continued..... I find the Jag boring to look at. Based on looks, i find it Uninspiring and not the sort of car that gets the 'second looks' like some of it's German Rivals. Is jag owned by ford? I know audi is owned by vw but also... Audi owns bentley and Lamborghini. I know what id rather drive....

By A330driver on 7 February, 2011, 9:24pm

Correction. Jag made by tata. Lol

By A330driver on 7 February, 2011, 9:31pm

Why is it everything Audi makes looks like it comes out of a sausage factory production line , a little bigger or a little smaller the same plump look for all their venue . They have reached the pentultimate in boring . I take my new Jag in looks, ride , sound, internal and external appeal and envious looks by others .

By blinkster on 21 October, 2011, 5:03am

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Audi A6 3.0 TDI S-line front
Audi A6 3.0 TDI S-line rear
Audi A6 3.0 TDI S-line interior

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FIRST OPINION

    There’s much to like about a car that distils the luxury, quality and driving experience of a flagship model into a smaller package. And while this new A6 range does cost more – the old line-up kicked off at nearly £2,000 less – you do get more for your money, including satellite navigation for instance. Executive buyers will also love the fact that thanks to lightweight materials this A6 is faster and better to drive but much more efficient than before. It’s a shame that it doesn’t have more personality – we’d like it to stand on its own more rather being a shrunken A8 – but this is still an impressive machine. 

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £41,450 
    Engine: 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 
    Power: 242bhp at 4,000rpm 
    Torque: 500Nm from 1,400rpm 
    Transmission: seven-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 
    Top speed: 155mph 
    0-62mph: 7.2 seconds 
    Econ: 47.1mpg 
    CO2: 158g/km 
    Equipment: Satnav, 18-inch alloys, Audi Drive Select, climate control, Bluetooth, leather upholstery 
    On sale: Now 
     
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