Diesel express

Whilst the Audi A6 might be the elder statesman in the luxury executive sedan class Damien O’Carroll reckons it’s still a contender thanks to it’s diesel power. 

With the recent release of the a new BMW 5-series and, not too long before that, a new E-Class Mercedes, the Audi A6 is now the elder statesman in the German luxury car segment. So does that automatically mean it should fall from your shopping list? No.
While it may be the oldest, it still has quite a lot to offer for someone after a fast, comfortable, up-market executive express. This is largely thanks to the rather wonderful engines Audi choose to jam under the A6's bonnet. The A6 is available with either the 3-litre TFSI petrol V6 that, in keeping with Audi’s slightly strange policy that insists the 'T' badge on the car’s flanks stands for all forms of forced induction, is actually supercharged in reality. While it pumps out a fairly conservative 213kW of power, it hits back with an impressive 420Nm pounding the ground through all four wheels from 2500rpm to 4850rpm. But it is the engine in this particular variant on test that is the real reason you would still have to put the sleek A6 on your German sedan shopping list – the 3-litre TDI diesel V6. Producing less power than the petrol V6 (176kW), the oil-burner does however chuck out a rather massive 500Nm of torque from as little as 1500rpm, making it impressively eager to get off the line indeed. This particular A6 also showed the value to be had by being selective with Audi's option list, specifically; avoiding the S-line version and throwing the money at other options instead. The A6 comes standard with leather-clad electric seats, cruise control, auto headlights, parking sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, Audi’s Multi Media Interface(MMI) with steering wheel mounted controls, a head-crushing stereo, about a million airbags, lots of electronic cleverness that stops you falling off the road and, of course, Audi's quattro 4WD system. The S-line option adds the sports suspension package, different bumpers and diffuser inserts, 19-inch wheels, heated sports seats with a memory on the driver's seat, higher grade leather, a three-spoke S-line steering wheel with shift paddles, Bluetooth, aluminium dash inserts replacing the standard walnut (a no-cost option anyway), and S-line badging and door sill trims. So, by not ticking the S-line box and saving yourself the grand total of $8600 in the process, do you really get that much less car? Not really. The same engine is crammed under the bonnet of the A6 regardless and just like your accountant, your spine will probably thank you for ignoring that particular option. Shorn of the firmer sports suspension and larger wheels, the A6 is a far more pleasant prospect on the open road, being far less fussy and far more relaxing than the same car with sports suspension. Throwing the A6 into a corner doesn’t exactly expose massively more body roll than an S-line car but the biggest difference is that mid-corner bumps are now absorbed as if they were all part of the plan, rather than being teeth-rattling interludes. Selected browsing of Audi’s option list surely reveals far more satisfying ways of spending money on an A6, like the Luxury Pack option on this particular car which clocks in at $3,200 and includes voice control for phone and audio, heated front seats and memory functions on both the driver's seat and external mirrors. Add another $2,000 for the impressive Bose sound system and you have a very pleasant package indeed. And while the BMW and Mercedes may well be newer, there is still a lot to be said in favour of the Audi's understated elegance in the face of its rival’s sharp creases, bulging flanks and aggressive faces.

Specifications: 
Body type  Four-door sedan
Drive   All-wheel-drive
Engine Type  6-cylinder
Engine Capacity 2967 cc
Max power  176 kW @ AAA rpm
Max torque  500 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Fuel Consumption 7.1 L/100km
C02 emission  189 g/km
0 to 100kph  6.8 seconds
Front suspension MacPherson strut 
 Rear suspension Multi-link
Roof Rack  No
ABS Brakes  Yes 
Air Bags  6
ESP   Yes 

Air Conditioning Climate
Lap/diagonal belts 5
Satellite Navigation No
Electric seats  Yes 
Burglar Alarm  Yes 
Panic Button  No
Boot release  Yes 
Cargo Cover  No
Boot Capacity  N/A
Wheel type  18-inch alloy 
Spare Tyre  Full size

Through Life Cost Report
36 Months 60000km
Price     $121,900.00
WOF      $150.00
Registration        $1646.55
Servicing to 60k:       $0.00
Total Tyre cost:     $5948.96
Residual (33%)   $40,227.00 
Indicative final figure $89,418.51

The Through Life Cost Model is used for illustrative and indicative purposes only. StratCon Partnership Limited and Adrenalin Publishing Limited accept no responsibility or liability should any costs indicated in the Through Life Cost Model change from those published. All residual values are based on an average of values achieved through Turners Auctions Limited sales for the previous 3 months from issue date.