Key facts:
Models tested:
• A6 2.0 TDI 6-spd manual,
• A6 3.0 TDI Multitronic
• A6 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic S-Line
On the road price: £30,145 to £41,620
Date tested: January 2011
Road tester: Andy Goodwin


This is the all-new Audi A6, the executive saloon Audi is hoping will prove more successful than the mighty BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class.

Prices for the first models will range from £30,145 to £41,620 and the first customer deliveries are expected in April.

The biggest news is class-leading fuel economy and low emissions, with the cleanest 2-litre TDI averaging 57.6mpg while emitting 129g/km of CO2. These were impressive figures for a supermini not so long ago, and out of the question for a large saloon.

In the coming months a hybrid A6 will also be launched, featuring a 2-litre TFSI petrol engine twinned with an electric motor. It will have 242bhp and average 45.6mpg.

Engine line-up:
• 2.0 TDI diesel, 175bhp, 57.7mpg, 129g/km
• 3.0 TDI diesel, 201bhp, 54.3mpg, 137g/km
• 3.0 TDI diesel quattro, 242bhp, 47.1mpg, 158g/km
• 3.0 TFSI petrol quattro, 296bhp, 34.4mpg, 190g/km

Along with fuel-saving technology including stop and start, the A6 is the most aerodynamic and lightest car in its class. Around 20 per cent of the A6 is constructed from aluminium, making it several hundred kilograms lighter than its competitors, which are built predominantly from steel.

Not only does this benefit fuel economy and emissions, but performance gets a leg-up too. The slowest A6 gets to 62mph in 8.7 seconds, while the 3-litre TFSI petrol with quattro four-wheel drive takes just 5.5.

The engine which arguably benefits the most from these improvements is the 3-litre TDI diesel quattro, which has only 5bhp more than the equivalent previous A6, but it rockets to 62mph in 6.1 seconds (almost a second quicker), averages 47.1mpg instead of 39.8mpg and emits 158g/km of CO2 instead of 189.

The interior has received a major overhaul and is the definition of Germanic quality. The centre console cocoons the driver more than before and there are fewer buttons, thanks to the MMI interface. It's clear and increasingly easy to use with familiarity.

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A new optional feature first seen in the Audi A8, is Mobile Telephone Preparation High, which effectively turns the car into a WIFI hotspot allowing occupants to connect to the internet. It also allows for news and weather updates, while the sat-nav can download Google Earth satellite images for your route.

The A6 includes other useful features such as blind spot indicators, optional full-LED headlights, a system which parks the car for you and a system which detects when the car is straying out of its lane and automatically guides it back between the white lines.

We drove both front-wheel drive and quattro four-wheel drive models, the first of which is well-suited to the 2-litre diesel, but can struggle to cope with the immense pulling power of the 3-litre diesel. In all conditions, the quattro-equipped cars feel rock solid.

Refinement is extremely impressive, and when fitted with air suspension the ride is very comfortable, while the conventional suspension also copes well with testing roads. Avoid the S Line-equipped cars if comfort is key, as they have an unsettled ride.

While not as involving to drive as the best BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6 is an epic long-distance cruiser, leaving driver and occupants completely unruffled. Choose interior trims carefully and it also has a class-leading cabin ambience, while its wireless connectivity is sure to prove invaluable for many.