Review of the new Audi A6 3.0TDi

Although boxing managers know that a good little 'un will always beat a poor big 'un, size counts in the executive car market. Take Audi's A6, traditionally the shortest, narrowest car in the sector when compared to rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar. No longer. The latest A6 has turned the tables on its opposition, entering the heavyweight division not only with more space but, in the case of the diesel 3.0-litre saloon and Avant versions featured here, more punch to match.

Let's identify this Audi's rivals. The Mercedes E320CDi Elegance, the Jaguar S-TYPE 2.7 S Diesel and the BMW 530d SE are the cars the A6 needs to put out for the count. Not only is it a good deal bigger than all three but at £34,000 on the road in saloon form (or from £35,570 as an Avant estate), it's significantly cheaper than the German duo and within a couple of hundred pounds of the Jaguar. It's markedly more powerful than all three challengers, the 235bhp engine setting a new class benchmark and easily beating the most expensive car of the trio, the Mercedes. That power advantage also means that it's one of the quickest and although its advantage is clear over the Jaguar, that huge body takes a serious engine to get it moving. A sprint to 60mph takes just 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 155mph put it on a par with the BMW and it's also a fair bit quicker off the line than the Mercedes. It seems as if the Audi has swept all before it.

If there is one Achilles heel in the A6 3.0 TDI's make up, it comes in the form of its emissions figures. Emitting 179 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometer, the Audi will be significantly more expensive in terms of benefit in kind taxation than all three of its key rivals. It's also a bit thirstier with a combined fuel consumption figure of 42.2mpg. Do bear in mind when making comparisons of this sort that the Audi is fitted with a six-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox as standard. This gearbox is a massive 14kg lighter than its five-speed predecessor. Audi have also widened the gear ratios, giving the A6 better pick up at low speeds and more relaxed high speed cruising ability. The shift is faster and the downshifts are accompanied by an automatic double-declutching feature that blips the throttle in a sporting fashion. A sport mode will interest keener drivers although the gearbox isn't as quick-witted as the DSG twin-clutch manual that's fitted to the top of the range TT coupe.

"It seems as if the Audi has swept all before it"

Putting power down in all weathers is virtually guaranteed due not only too an array of clever electronics but the security of Quattro all wheel drive. A Torsen differential automatically optimizes the amount of torque sent to all four wheels. Under normal conditions, 50 per cent of the engine's power goes to each axle with up to 75 per cent going to one axle in more extreme cases. The latest Bosch ESP package, ESP8, is also fitted as well as ASR traction control and electronic differential lock (EDL). Another new function that ESP8 brings is brake disc cleaning. This helps keep the brake discs dry even on the wettest roads with the brake linings pressed against the discs under very low hydraulic pressure. The ESP system can be momentarily disabled by tapping the dash mounted button, useful when accelerating on gravel or deep snow, and can be fully deactivated by holding the button.

The A6's key styling feature is that prominent grille or, as Audi prefer to call it, the 'single frame'. Look beyond that and you'll notice the curvaceous flanks, topped and tailed by a sharp longitudinal crease line that forms a definite hip and the rising edge in the door sills that creates a great deal of tension and shadow in the A6's profile. The Ingolstadt company claims the world's tightest shut lines and the panel fit around the door is indeed superb, the 2.5mm apertures between the doors and body panels being astonishingly uniform. Gone are the days when the 'pound coin test' would separate the best from the rest when it comes to panel fit. In S line guise, the A6 also features LED daytime running headlights.

The design isn't all show however. The neat integrated tail spoiler helps cut rear lift to a mere 19kg at 150mph. This represents a quarter of the outgoing model's lift and the drag coefficient has been cut too from 0.31 to a slippery 0.28. The overall length has swelled to 4916mm, up a whole 121mm over the outgoing car. The boot is a whopping 546 litres in all saloon models (Avant estates to follow in 2005) which is not only bigger than the 5 Series and the E Class but also manages to put this car's big brother, the A8, in the shade.

Driver enjoyment is a key feature of the A6 3.0TDI and the car benefits from a quicker steering rack while retaining current suspension settings albeit with fifteen per cent more travel. Existing A6 drivers won't recognise the feel behind the wheel and they can be excused for not feeling instantly at home with the interior. Although much of the look and feel is reminiscent again of the A8, the dashboard features a binnacle and centre console that angles towards the driver and is quite unlike anything yet seen in an Audi. The quality of the cabin remains top notch but there's a little more style and colour contrast here, Audi finally recognising that the coal hole dark plastic look was just that little bit too nineties to cut it these days.

The Audi A6 3.0TDI shows that bigger, faster and better built don't come for free. The price looks tempting and the overall package is very good but those corporate buyers looking to rack up big miles may find the ongoing running costs a tad steep. Private buyers who want to treat themselves will have very little cause for complaint. Audi's rivals should be worried.

TOP 5 A6 DEALS

The results below show the top A6 deals on buyacar

Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro SE 5dr Tip Auto Diesel Avant
Price £34,781 Click for a A6 Review	Save £3,444
Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro SE 4dr Tip Auto Diesel Saloon
Price £33,368 Click for a A6 Review	Save £3,287
Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro S Line 5dr Tip Auto Diesel Avant
Price £35,906 Click for a A6 Review	Save £3,569
Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro SE 4dr Diesel Saloon
Price £32,068 Click for a A6 Review	Save £3,147
Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro S Line 4dr Tip Auto Diesel Saloon
Price £34,493 Click for a A6 Review	Save £3,412