Story and photos by John LeBlanc
Across the pond, Audi’s A6 sedan has fought its way into the top spot as Europe’s best selling luxury sedan, just ahead of the stalwart BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E Class. With newer models like the A4, Q5 and R8 getting all the attention here in Canada, Audi’s mid-size sedan—which slots between the compact A4 and the full-size A8—can easily get lost in the showroom. Plus, with all-new versions of its two Teutonic rivals coming in the next twelve months, Audi has wisely given its A6 lineup a midlife touchup for 2009. And the most intriguing bit of its new kit lies underneath within the engine bay.
Joining the existing A6 engine lineup, made up of a 3.2-litre V6, 4.2L V8 and 5.0L V10 in the S6, is a new 3.0-litre supercharged V6—badged “3.0 T.” Also the sole form of motivation for the ’09 A6 Avant wagon, the 3.0T is essentially the same powerplant that will arrive soon in the 333 hp 2010 Audi S4.
Targeted at the leader from Bavaria
Starting at $66,900, the A6 3.0T is a line drive right up the middle between the $56,900 A6 3.2 and the $75,900 A6 4.2 models. With a $2,900 S Line Sport package and $2,500 navigation system, my A6 3.0T tester ended up at $73,100. While you could throw in a similarly equipped $74,500 E 350 4MATIC or $59,995 Volvo S80 T6 AWD into the mix, one look at the new Audi’s spec sheet and it’s as plain as the four rings on its supercharged nose that the main rival here is the $74,500 BMW 535i xDrive.
Only Audiphiles would notice the external changes to a model that’s been a round since 2005. The automaker’s trademark LED daytime running lights have found their way to the ’09 A6’s front end. As well as a grille with a different shape and larger bumper air intakes. There are equally subtle changes to the taillights and rear fascia.
Inside, thankfully, Audi has only refined one of the best interiors in the business. The well-thought ergonomics, laser-like panel fit and high-quality materials are all present and accounted for in the updated ’09 model.
That said, in the spirit of simplification, Audi felt it necessary to tweak its console mounted central controller interface, called Multi Media Interface. There is a new joystick on top of the controller knob to let you navigate more easily, plus two MMI control units for the instead of five or more. And the graphics are presented in a higher resolution.
Trust me—don’t bother with the V8
First off, the “T” in the latest A6’s badging doesn’t stand for “turbocharging.” Audi is using that letter for both its turbo- and supercharged engines. In the A6 3.0T, an Eaton four-lobe supercharger boosts intake pressure to a maximum of 11.6 psi. Objectively, the result is a healthy 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque—bang on with the 535i xDrive’s ratings. Subjectively, throttle response is “right now,” with none of the lag you find in the twin-turbo BMW. From zero to 100 km/h, the 3.0T takes 5.7 seconds. That’s about 0.3 slower than the 535i xDrive. But it is 1.5 seconds quicker than the A6 3.2 AND the 4.2 V8 model. Better yet, it delivers 12.0 L/100 km: city, 8.0L on the highway—only slightly worse than the normal V6 (11.4L/7.4L) and better than the V8 (13.1L/8.8L.)
Stable? Yes. Scintillating? Er, not so much…
The strongest impression with the new ’09 A6 3.0T is its improvement in ride quality. Audi has always had a hard time making its sportier suspensions work with low-profile rubber. Ride quality was never anything less than wagon-wheel-stiff. Not so with this car. No longer is every crack or pebble transmitted directly to the driver’s posterior. Yet there’s little float over larger whoop-dee-doos. The car always felt well planted, never loose.
The presence of Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system further removes any drama from poor road or weather conditions. And this its does, almost to a fault. Driving the 3,0T is utterly undramatic. Even with the new rear-drive biased AWD system, the A6 always feels nose heavy. Especially when compared to the 535i xDrive, which has less frontal mass to deal with. The Audi’s steering is also relatively light, with little feedback.
So despite the toe-to-toe spec sheet with the rival Bimmer, the Audi isn’t as rich as a pure sports sedan. If you’re looking for such with an Audi badge, the forthcoming A4-based S4 with the same supercharged mill will likely be a better candidate. And it’s larger than the last A4. So giving up interior room isn’t as much of an issue anymore.
However, if you’re more then likely to use the A6 3.0T as a form of business class transportation rather than a weekend track car, it’s a much better choice than the 535i xDrive. Quieter and more refined, the Audi will always transport you and your occupants in refined comfort, good weather or bad.
Business class redefined
If the industry is rushing towards super- or turbocharged V6s instead of V8s, as good as the A6 3.0T is, then bring it on. From the driver’s seat, the new supercharged V6 is so much nicer to drive than the normally aspirated 3.2, yet equal—if not better—than the 4.2 V8, it’s suddenly the default choice in the A6 engine lineup.
Just don’t forget it.
2009 Audi A6 3.0T
Base price/As-tested: $66,900/$73,100
Type of vehicle: AWD mid-size sedan
Engine: 3.0L, supercharged V6
Power/torque: 300 hp/310 lb.-ft.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
0-100 km/h: 5.8 seconds
Fuel consumption: L/100 km: 12.0 city, 8.0 hwy
Competition: BMW 535i xDrive, Mercedes-Benz E 350 4MATIC, Volvo S80 T6 AWD
ROAD TEST SUMMARY
PROS
V6 fuel economy, V8 performance
Refined and cosseting interior
Quiet and smooth highway ride
CONS
Anestheticised steering
Front-heavy handling
Low showroom awareness
Comments
Story and photos by John LeBlanc
Across the pond, Audi’s A6 sedan has fought its way into the top spot as Europe’s best selling luxury sedan, just ahead of the stalwart BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E Class. With newer models like the A4, Q5 and R8 getting all the attention here in Canada, Audi’s mid-size sedan—which slots between the compact A4 and the full-size A8—can easily get lost in the showroom. Plus, with all-new versions of its two Teutonic rivals coming in the next twelve months, Audi has wisely given its A6 lineup a midlife touchup for 2009. And the most intriguing bit of its new kit lies underneath within the engine bay.
Joining the existing A6 engine lineup, made up of a 3.2-litre V6, 4.2L V8 and 5.0L V10 in the S6, is a new 3.0-litre supercharged V6—badged “3.0 T.” Also the sole form of motivation for the ’09 A6 Avant wagon, the 3.0T is essentially the same powerplant that will arrive soon in the 333 hp 2010 Audi S4.
Targeted at the leader from Bavaria
Starting at $66,900, the A6 3.0T is a line drive right up the middle between the $56,900 A6 3.2 and the $75,900 A6 4.2 models. With a $2,900 S Line Sport package and $2,500 navigation system, my A6 3.0T tester ended up at $73,100. While you could throw in a similarly equipped $74,500 E 350 4MATIC or $59,995 Volvo S80 T6 AWD into the mix, one look at the new Audi’s spec sheet and it’s as plain as the four rings on its supercharged nose that the main rival here is the $74,500 BMW 535i xDrive.
Only Audiphiles would notice the external changes to a model that’s been a round since 2005. The automaker’s trademark LED daytime running lights have found their way to the ’09 A6’s front end. As well as a grille with a different shape and larger bumper air intakes. There are equally subtle changes to the taillights and rear fascia.
Inside, thankfully, Audi has only refined one of the best interiors in the business. The well-thought ergonomics, laser-like panel fit and high-quality materials are all present and accounted for in the updated ’09 model.
That said, in the spirit of simplification, Audi felt it necessary to tweak its console mounted central controller interface, called Multi Media Interface. There is a new joystick on top of the controller knob to let you navigate more easily, plus two MMI control units for the instead of five or more. And the graphics are presented in a higher resolution.
Trust me—don’t bother with the V8
First off, the “T” in the latest A6’s badging doesn’t stand for “turbocharging.” Audi is using that letter for both its turbo- and supercharged engines. In the A6 3.0T, an Eaton four-lobe supercharger boosts intake pressure to a maximum of 11.6 psi. Objectively, the result is a healthy 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque—bang on with the 535i xDrive’s ratings. Subjectively, throttle response is “right now,” with none of the lag you find in the twin-turbo BMW. From zero to 100 km/h, the 3.0T takes 5.7 seconds. That’s about 0.3 slower than the 535i xDrive. But it is 1.5 seconds quicker than the A6 3.2 AND the 4.2 V8 model. Better yet, it delivers 12.0 L/100 km: city, 8.0L on the highway—only slightly worse than the normal V6 (11.4L/7.4L) and better than the V8 (13.1L/8.8L.)
Stable? Yes. Scintillating? Er, not so much…
The strongest impression with the new ’09 A6 3.0T is its improvement in ride quality. Audi has always had a hard time making its sportier suspensions work with low-profile rubber. Ride quality was never anything less than wagon-wheel-stiff. Not so with this car. No longer is every crack or pebble transmitted directly to the driver’s posterior. Yet there’s little float over larger whoop-dee-doos. The car always felt well planted, never loose.
The presence of Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system further removes any drama from poor road or weather conditions. And this its does, almost to a fault. Driving the 3,0T is utterly undramatic. Even with the new rear-drive biased AWD system, the A6 always feels nose heavy. Especially when compared to the 535i xDrive, which has less frontal mass to deal with. The Audi’s steering is also relatively light, with little feedback.
So despite the toe-to-toe spec sheet with the rival Bimmer, the Audi isn’t as rich as a pure sports sedan. If you’re looking for such with an Audi badge, the forthcoming A4-based S4 with the same supercharged mill will likely be a better candidate. And it’s larger than the last A4. So giving up interior room isn’t as much of an issue anymore.
However, if you’re more then likely to use the A6 3.0T as a form of business class transportation rather than a weekend track car, it’s a much better choice than the 535i xDrive. Quieter and more refined, the Audi will always transport you and your occupants in refined comfort, good weather or bad.
Business class redefined
If the industry is rushing towards super- or turbocharged V6s instead of V8s, as good as the A6 3.0T is, then bring it on. From the driver’s seat, the new supercharged V6 is so much nicer to drive than the normally aspirated 3.2, yet equal—if not better—than the 4.2 V8, it’s suddenly the default choice in the A6 engine lineup.
Just don’t forget it.
2009 Audi A6 3.0T
Base price/As-tested: $66,900/$73,100
Type of vehicle: AWD mid-size sedan
Engine: 3.0L, supercharged V6
Power/torque: 300 hp/310 lb.-ft.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
0-100 km/h: 5.8 seconds
Fuel consumption: L/100 km: 12.0 city, 8.0 hwy
Competition: BMW 535i xDrive, Mercedes-Benz E 350 4MATIC, Volvo S80 T6 AWD
ROAD TEST SUMMARY
PROS
V6 fuel economy, V8 performance
Refined and cosseting interior
Quiet and smooth highway ride
CONS
Anestheticised steering
Front-heavy handling
Low showroom awareness