The latest local variant of the A6 combines two of my favourite elements in one vehicle – a wagon body with a high-performance diesel engine. And the new turbo-diesel V6 is a gem indeed. The usual “idle” clatter is barely audible, and with two turbochargers connected in series, the 3-litre motor develops a healthy 313bhp and 650Nm.
At low revs below 2500rpm, the “second” turbo pre-compresses, and from 2500rpm, a change-over valve transfers work progressively from the smaller turbo to the larger one, which then does all the boosting between 3500rpm and 4000rpm. Another impressive aspect is the engine’s 5200rpm redline, which is high by current turbo-diesel standards.
All this translates into acceleration that would surprise many a hot-hatch boyracer. This Audi Avant takes just 5.3 seconds to complete the 0-100km/h yardstick sprint, although the initial take-off from standstill feels a little less rapid than that, probably due to the gearing in the 8-speed autobox.
Torquey and economical bi-turbo 3-litre TDI V6 is ideal for station-wagon duty.
Once on the move, the TDI V6 is very refined, often operating like a good petrol powerplant. Throttle response is spontaneous and gearchanges are swift, especially in Dynamic mode.
An interesting innovation is the so-called sound actuator integrated with the exhaust gas system – there’s a speaker located in an auxiliary channel next to the muffler! This lends a throatier, sportier exhaust note. It’s different from the system used in the BMW M5 and Lexus GS, both of which feed the enhanced exhaust note through the hi-fi.
The car’s fuel consumption is quoted at an impressive 15.6km per litre, but achieving that would require strong willpower on the part of the driver to not exploit the outstanding performance. In my opinion, a more realistic average would be around 10km per litre, which is still some 30 percent better than a petrol V6 estate of similar size can manage.
The interior is pure Audi – very high in quality, not very high in emotion. It has most of the cabin items expected of a premium wagon, but with one notable omission – a blind-spot warning system. And like the rest of the A4/S4/RS4 model range, Audi has again omitted a left footrest!
All in all, the A6 Avant 3.0 TDI is tailor-made for the well-heeled motorist who needs performance, refinement and big-boot practicality, while doing his bit for the environment.
This article was first published in the October 2013 issue of Torque.
2013 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI (A)
ENGINE 2967cc, 24-valves, V6, turbo-diesel
MAX POWER 313bhp at 3900-4500rpm
MAX TORQUE 650Nm at 1450-2800rpm
GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 5.3 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h (governed)
CONSUMPTION 15.6km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 166g/km
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