Review of the new Audi A6 2.0 TFSI

168bhp in an Audi A6 might not sound like much but the engine that's delivering it has quite a pedigree. Smooth, powerful and producing impressive economy, the A6 2.0 TFSI makes a great affordable executive car.

Step out of an Audi A6 2.0T FSI and it's easy to feel a little confused. We're always bombarded with Audi's 'Vorsprung Durch Technik' (Forward Through Technology) message and while the FSI part of the car's engine features some seriously high tech features, there's nothing cutting edge about what has made this engine so hugely enjoyable - bolting on a turbocharger.

It's hardly rocket science. Saab and BMW were bolting turbos to their wares in the Seventies and although there have been a few developments since, such as twin, triple, and in some extreme cases, quad turbo application, as well as the emergence of light pressure and variable geometry turbos, the engineering principles of using 'waste' gases to power an impellor are more or less identical. Thus a low-tech approach has lent this otherwise relentlessly cutting edge car a real spark.

The most impressive aspect of Audi's 2.0 TFSI installation is that whatever power output it's tuned to, it doesn't feel like a turbocharged car. There's none of the characteristic lag and lurch response of something that relies on a blower to plump up the power figure. Instead, it feels almost like a large capacity six cylinder engine. The figures speak for themselves. The latest, 168bhp 2.0T FSI will accelerate the A6 to 60mph in 8.2 seconds and breach 142mph yet will still return a combined fuel economy figure of 37.7mpg. When you pause to consider that this A6 is a larger car than any BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class, that power and economy compromise from a petrol engine is little short of amazing.

The 2.0 TFSI unit sounds purposeful too, with a meaty growl from up front coupled with a rather naughty exhaust note. There's a broad plateau of torque available to haul you out of tight corners. You'll achieve the car's peak 280Nm torque figure with the needle anywhere between 1,800 and 4,200rpm. Unlike its A4 sibling, no quattro models are offered, and the 2.0 TFSI is being positioned as the entry-level petrol-powered A6. Drive one of these and you have to wonder why anybody would bother with the 2.8-litre petrol engine positioned above the 2.0 turbo.

"This doesn't feel like a turbocharged car."

Audi likes to maintain a strong family resemblance across its model range and the latest A6 falls into line behind its stable mates. The single frame grille dominates the front end as before but the bumpers have been reshaped so that the line of the lower edge lifts up at the centre. At the back, the tail lights have been tweaked along with the bumper while the saloon model gets a more sculpted boot lid arrangement. The daytime running lights complete the imposing effect but they're only standard on the sporty S-Line models. The classy interior of the A6 left little room for improvement but Audi have upgraded some of the materials and increased the chrome detailing. The latest version of the excellent MMI infotainment system is also included.

There are so many electronic systems in modern cars and particularly in models which compete at the rarefied level of the A6 but Audi's MMI system succeeds in the difficult task of making them reasonably intuitive to operate. The latest version is centred around the familiar 'joystick' dial with its four menu buttons grouped around it. The changes come in the navigation system which offers 3D mapping with graphical representations of major landmarks to help you find your way and the 40 gigabyte hard drive that can store up to 2,000 addresses or a good few hours worth of MP3 music files.

The A6 2.0 TFSI range is split into saloon and Avant estate bodystyles. The S-line models sit at the top of the range bringing an extra sporty element to proceedings, while the SE models take a more comfort-orientated approach and the standard models prop-up the rest. As you'd expect, there's a host of equipment available with the A6 including high tech features like Audi's blind sport warning system, lane departure warning system and radar-guided cruise control.

The A6 competes in the executive car sector which means it's going head to head with its arch rivals the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW 5-Series. Outside of the German Triumvirate, buyers have the Lexus GS to consider and the sleek lines of the Jaguar XF. It's a competitive field but Audi will be confident that its charge is up to the task.

Economy and emissions are big issues for every car manufacturer at the moment and Audi has taken steps to ensure the environmental credentials of the A6 are up with the best in the sector. The 2.0 TFSI engine is pretty efficient given its punchy power delivery and that it's being asked to move the substantial frame of the A6 around. 37.7mpg can be expected on the combined cycle with emissions of 174g/km.

Versions of the 2.0-litre TFSI engine pop up right across the Audi range and, indeed, throughout all the line-ups within Audi's Volkswagen Group parent company. That should be evidence enough for most that this is a highly adept powerplant. With 168bhp and tasked with moving the bulky A6 around, it may not have the verve it displays with substantially more power in the Golf GTI or Audi S3 but its mix of price, performance and economy is generally hard to knock.

With its low carbon dioxide figure and a reasonable upfront asking price, this 2.0 TFSI Audi A6 is guaranteed to be a big hit with corporate buyers. Class leading residual values and a presence that looks like something the MD would drive can only count in the A6's favour. Vorsprung durch technik? That's only the half of it.

TOP 5 A6 DEALS

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Audi A6 2.0 TFSI 4dr Saloon
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Price £27,135 Read A6 Reviews	Save £2,485
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