Audi A6 2.0 TDI : Road Test

  • Dec 5, 2011
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After the brilliant 3.0 TFSI, Audi has brought in something for the more econominded in the form of the 2.0 TDI. We get behind the wheel of the new oil burner from Ingolstadt to give you a first hand review

Audi A6 2.0 Road Test

So the other day I decide to buy myself a new Television. Now, how difficult a task can that be? Walking into the nearest electronic superstore, I soon found out it was going to be a task that was much more complicated than it seemed. With options like Plasma, LCD and LED and then even more sub-options to chose from the technology mentioned it couldn’t have got any more confusing. It’s pretty much the same if you are looking to buy an Audi with a whole barrage of models and variants to choose from. Thankfully, if it’s the new A6 you are looking for, you have “just” 4 variants to choose from, one of which is the 2.0 TDI featured here.

Audi A6 2.0 nose

Clean, crisp lines

That pretty much defines the way the new A6 looks like. While the typical subtleness which is a characteristic of all Audi’s is clearly seen, the A6 is the perfect blend of athleticism and elegance. Ben Johnson in a tux is pretty much the best example I can think of. As for differentiating it between its 3 litre petrol and the 3 litre diesel siblings there is none and the 2.0 TDI looks exactly the same, which is a good thing since even though one buys a cheaper variant he or she does not have to compromise on looks.

Audi A6 2.0 Interiors

The best of space and luxury

If you are looking to be chauffer driven, then the Audi’s opulence is sure to get you hooked. The walnut brown interiors look and feel rich. There’s acres of legroom for you to sit back and relax as vents on the B-pillar and on the rear climate control console regulate the temperature according to your needs. If you prefer to get behind the wheels yourself, this Audi will pamper you and how. The first thing you notice as you take charge is the “Wrap-Around”, an inlay encircling the driver and the co-passenger. What that is, is that the whole console is designed around the driver and the co-passenger thereby offering the best possible ergonomics. 

Everything feels brilliant and the instrument binnacle is probably one of the best in its class offering a clear read and all the possible information you could ask for. There is also the latest generation MMI or Multi Media Interface which is pretty simple to use with the MMI touch also available as an option. Loaded with equipment coupled with brilliant quality this Audi sure knows how to pamper its occupants.

Audi A6 2.0 Road Test in action
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Efficiency and drivability at its best 

After driving the scorching 3.0 TFSI and the torquing 3.0 TDI, I wasn’t really expecting much from a small 2.0 oilburner. But surprise surprise, the small heart in the big A6 impressed not just me but our entire ZigWheels staff. The current 2.0 TDI unit has received a host of changes and has been almost entirely redeveloped. At 177 PS, the horsepower figures aren’t big, but at 380 Nm it has more than a healthy dose of torque and makes up for that comparatively diminutive hp figure. Its eerily refined too, thanks to the twin balancer shafts rotating in opposite directions in the crankcase thereby eliminating the second-order forces of inertia that arise due to the design of the crankgear. The turbocharger with adjustable vanes provides for spontaneous torque buildup at an early stage. All this is linked to an 8-speed continuously variable multitronic gearbox which has also been extensively reworked for use in the new A6. It allows the engine to operate in its optimal efficiency mode at almost all times. And for those pedal to metal moments there is also a sports program with shorter gear ratios and a manual mode with eight fixed gears.

As a result, power delivery is extremely linear and the A6 gets up to some silly 3-digit speeds rather quickly. The 100 km/h mark is achieved in 8.95 seconds which is rather quick. Keeping the throttle buried saw us hit a top speed of 211 km/h before we ran out of road. And with all this performance came some real good fuel efficiency figures as well. The A6 churned out 11 kmpl around town and a brilliant 16 kmpl on the highway giving it a brilliant balance between economy and performance.

Audi A6 2.0 Road Test in action 2

Magic carpet ride

That’s just how it feels in the A6 with the excellent Air suspension. Just switch to “Auto” in the suspension settings and be prepared to glide over the tarmac. Ride quality is brilliant and the Audi swallows any and every undulation on the road. Even bigger bumps are taken surprisingly well with just a light thump filtering in the cabin. Dynamic mode makes the Audi lower by as much as 20 mm increasing stability and reducing drag. Amazing isn’t it?

Audi A6 2.0 Road Test Static 2

The easy choice

So why buy the 2.0 TDI over its other more exciting variants? Well for starters the price. At 37 lakh ex-showroom Maharashtra, it’s cheaper than the base 2.8 FSI petrol as well and almost 10 lakh cheaper than the 3.0 TDI variant. It also has almost the same amount of goodies as its higher variant and offers almost the same level of performance. If your car is going to be chauffer driven then the A6 2.0 TDI makes even more sense offering everything to pamper you at the rear as you are driven around in style. But even if you want to drive, this Audi offers enough even if it cannot match the stonking performance of its bigger engined variants. Value for money is seldom associated with this segment but looking at what the A6 2.0 TDI offers, it certainly carries the bang for the buck flag high for Audi.

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