2014 Audi A6 TDI
The Audi A6 was my second chance to sample the wonderful 3.0-liter, 240hp turbodiesel engine that is sprinkled like frugal fairy dust throughout the company’s US lineup. I first spent time with it in the A8L large sedan, tested here; it is also available in the A6’s five-door sibling, the A7, and in the Q5 and Q7 SUVs. Its take rate in the larger Q was what convinced Audi execs that us Colonials might actually see the benefits of a “derv drinker,” namely fuel economy about 30 percent better than their gasoline counterparts, along with copious low-end grunt—in the A6, 428lb-ft of torque at only 1750rpm, that is well suited to typical American driving conditions, such as interstate slogs (where the A6 TDI returned between 35-36mpg at average speeds of 75-95mph) and great thrust in the stop light grand prix that define suburban living.
Differences noticed between this Audi and the larger A8 were that mainly down to noise; diesels have a distinct sonic signature that many actually find quite pleasing (just ask all those dudes in jacked-up pickups who have replaced the quieter factory exhaust systems with something more appropriate to a Kenworth). The A8 was quieter—it was hard to tell if it was propelled by diesel power or had one of four available gasoline engines under the hood. By contrast, the A6 had a growly voice under load and transmitted more of the gravely harmonics oil burners are known for into the cockpit. I didn’t find this objectionable, but the competitor BMW 535d is more isolated.
The A6 didn’t subjectively feel any quicker and was no more frugal than the bigger car, as the A8 is built entirely of aluminum and weighs about the same. The A6 was more athletic when the road turned twisty, as it’s smaller, and the test model was equipped with the optional Sport package, which includes bigger wheels and tires and stiffer springs and dampers. The sharper turn in and better body control the A6 offered over the A8 (even in the stiffest of its adjustable suspension’s settings) came with no trade off in ride quality; in point of fact, the smaller car road better much of the time—even on 20-inch wheels—and this reinforces my feeling that most Audi’s both ride and handle better when equipped with the Sports package on US roads than with their standard suspensions.
So the A6 TDI was frugal and fast, fun and far from fatiguing to drive long distances (I did hundreds of miles in just a few days). What didn’t it do so well? Little, really. It—like all Audis I’ve driven—had more wind noise around the A-pillars than comparable European cars at speeds above 70mph, which seems surprising on vehicles designed to conquer the Autobahn. Its navigation system was terrific until it took too long to tell you about an upcoming turn onto another road. Then, you had to use all the A6’s torque and terrific handling to zap onto the new heading. And the stiffer two settings for the adjustable steering really just obscure any details about what the front tires are doing and add unneeded resistance.
That’s really about it. The A6, especially in Sport trim, is a very sexy looking sedan, with a carefully contained voluptuousness to its forms (especially its flanks) that sets it apart in a good way from other, more slab-sided Audi sedans. Its interior too, is richly detailed and carefully crafted of generally high quality materials; the driving position is nigh on perfect and there is lots of space for back seat passengers and a commodious trunk. In all, a superb effort.
Does the A6 with TDI power make sense over its gasoline counterparts, is perhaps the harder to answer question. You can also get this car with a frugal 2.0-liter four cylinder, a punchy 3.0-liter supercharged V6, and the awesome twin-turbo, 420hp 4.0-liter V8 in the S6 model. If a combination of four-cylinder frugality and 0-60mph in mid-5s power it is your thing, the TDI is impossible to argue with. Bolstering its case is that, historically, diesel-powered cars from VW and others here in the States hold a better percentage of their original value, especially in times of high fuel prices. A great effort.
EPA ratings: 24/38; 29mpg combined
Price as tested: $67,295
Here is what Audi says about the A6 TDI.
Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.
