This is the most advanced Audi A6 Ingolstadt has ever brought us. Even in entry-level 40 TDI guise. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Smarter, lighter, faster and greener, Audi's 'C8'-series A6 offers a beautifully conceived and expertly executed alternative for buyers in the full-sized Executive sector currently considering saloon or estate versions of cars like BMW's 5 Series, Mercedes' E-Class or Jaguar's XF. The use of front wheel drive at the foot of the range on a variant like the four cylinder '40 TDI' diesel model we're testing here still differentiates this contender from rivals like these, but Ingolstadt now claims a new level of dynamic parity in other regards.

Background

While Audi's A6 has long been the world's best selling full-sized Executive car, it's rarely been Britain's overall favourite. Over the years, Audi has offered eight different models in this segment and with this 'C8'-series design, the fifth of them to be badged 'A6', there are fewer reasons than ever not to consider one. Whether you choose this saloon or the alternative Avant estate body style, this sleeker more sophisticated model is quieter, lighter, smarter and more technologically advanced than its predecessor. It offers, in Audi's words, 'a first class journey with a business class ticket' - or to put it another way, what the Ingolstadt brand has done here is to democratise much of the technology of its larger luxury segment A8 and offer it up more affordably to Executive sector buyers. That's in an attempt to prize sales away from class favourites like BMW's 5 Series, the Mercedes E-Class and Jaguar's XF. Here, we're going to test the car in entry-level '40 TDI' 2.0-litre diesel form.

Driving Experience

Previous A6 models have never particularly prioritised a dynamic driving experience but this one offers a decent step forward in that respect, despite the fact that entry-level four cylinder models like this 40 TDI continue to buck the class trend by pushing power through the front wheels. Dynamically, that's a limiting factor, but with this 'C8'-series model, Audi's engineers have worked around it by building in a stiffer MLB-Evo chassis, a more sharply-responding variable 'Progressive' steering rack and a very effective optional adaptive damping system. Arguably the most important changes made here though, have taken place beneath the bonnet. The '40 TDI' 2.0-litre diesel unit we tested features Audi's latest MHEV mild hybrid technology and certainly seems quieter than the equivalent engine in the previous generation model and it's 204PS output represents a 14PS increase too, which arrives along with 400Nm of torque. For buyers, there's a choice of front wheel drive or quattro 4WD and either way, the drivetrain comes mated to the brand's 7-speed dual-clutch 'S tronic' auto gearbox. This transmission hasn't been particularly configured for traffic light Grand Prix-style starts, which is why 62mph from rest in a front-driven saloon A6 model like this one takes 8.1s, which is over half a second slower than rivals like BMW's 520d or the Mercedes E220d would manage. Once you're up to speed though, the engine really gets into its stride, actually out-performing those two competitors in the more important 30-70mph overtaking increment. There's an irrelevantly higher top speed too - 152mph.

Design and Build

According to Audi's research clinics, A6 customers value understated exterior design above almost everything else - so they should feel right at home with the conservatively evolved looks of this 'C8'-series eighth generation contender. This is now a pretty sizeable piece of sculpted Executive segment German real estate, being nearly five metres long and the best part of two metres wide, yet standing only just over 1.4-metres high. Classically elegant? Maybe not, but it's certainly handsome and sophisticated, with shaping that the brand reckons references its 'quattro genes'. The Avant version is exactly the same length as the saloon but is 10mm taller. Behind the wheel, you're going to need to like screens because this completely redesigned cabin can incorporate no fewer than three of them, largely replacing all the many buttons and dials of the previous A6. The two you'll notice first power up as soon as the door is opened and dominate the upper and lower parts of the piano black-trimmed centre stack. The gently curved upper display deals with the most important radio, media and telephone functions while the lower 8.6-inch monitor is reserved for more comfort-orientated mainly climate-related features. Both monitors interact with the optional 12.3-inch 'Audi Virtual Cockpit' instrument binnacle screen you view through the three-spoke wheel. At the back, thanks to 21mm of extra interior length, a 6ft 3-inch passenger can comfortable sit behind a driver of the same size. Audi says that this time round, legroom back here has increased by 17mm, while headroom is up by 10mm. There's a 530-litre boot in the saloon - or 565-litres in the Avant.

Market and Model

The mainstream focus in the A6 line-up centres around the two TDI diesel engines that were offered from launch. Many will opt for the front-driven '40 TDI' 2.0-litre four cylinder version with 204PS, which comes complete with standard 7-speed 'S tronic' dual-clutch auto transmission. At this level in the range, quattro 4WD is optional. As usual with the A6, there's the choice of either a saloon body style or, for a premium of £2,100, the Avant estate body shape. And there are two key trim levels - base 'Sport' or, for a £3,360 premium, the more dynamic 'S line' spec we tried. The standard 'Sport' model should deliver most of what you really want in terms of equipment. There's 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps that automatically dip themselves at night, an acoustically-glazed windscreen, the 'Parking System Plus' all-round parking sensor system, a rear view camera, LED tail lamps, power-folding mirrors and an alarm. There's also a 'Progressive Steering' set-up that constantly alters the gearing of the steering depending on your inputs. Steering's one of the things you can influence via the settings of the usual Audi 'drive select' system that, as well as allowing you to tweak feel at the helm, also enables you to vary throttle response and gearshift timings to suit the way you want to drive. Inside, there's the brand's 'Twin'-style leather upholstery, with heated front seats featuring electric adjustment and 4-way powered lumbar support. The Avant version gets roof rails, a rear spoiler and a power-operated tailgate too.

Cost of Ownership

Audi has equipped all mainstream A6 engines with 'MHEV' 'Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle' technology built around a belt alternator starter and a lithium-ion battery. This four cylinder '40 TDI' variant gets a 12V version of this electrical system. When coasting in the highway with your foot off the accelerator at between 34 and 99mph, the engine can automatically switch itself off for up to 40 seconds to save fuel - Audi calls this 'Intelligent Coasting'. At slower speeds, the Mild Hybrid set-up maximises brake energy regeneration, providing for an increased energy recovery output of up to 12 kW. Finally, in traffic the MHEV package allows for an extended stop/start function that can work at up to 13mph, allowing the car to glide to a stop with maximum efficiency. Let's take a look at the fuel and CO2 figures, which we'll give you based around the smallest 18-inch size of wheel and the saloon body style. Obviously, larger rims - the 19-inchers of this 'S line' variant for example - will have a fractional impact on your returns. The Avant estate body style's extra 65kgs of weight affects efficiency by around 5%. The '40 TDI' can manage 62.8mpg on the combined cycle and 117g/km of CO2, which equates to a Benefit-in-Kind taxation rate of 28%. That's pretty much the same as you'd get from a rival BMW 520d and a fraction better than you'll get from rival Mercedes E220d.

Summary

And in summary? Well this 'C8'-series A6 meets the required brief, especially in this 40 TDI guise, and restores full credibility to an A6 model line that had previously become a rather forgotten choice in its sector. Yes, to really like it, you've still got to really like Audis, but if you do, you'll find it easier than ever to bond with this one. Some may still see this A6 as being a little remote compared to a status-conscious Mercedes, a proudly opulent BMW or a wood-panelled Jaguar. For others though, that'll simply be part of this car's vorsprung durch tecknik appeal, its design full of intelligent technologies created to make your life easier and save you time. Is that all that really matters? At the end of the kind of very long day this A6 has been designed for, you might well think so.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Heat insulating darkened glass in side and rear windows

Heat insulating glass in windshield

Rain and light sensors

Privacy glass

Front intermittent wipers

Electric front/rear windows

Brakes

Electromechanical parking brake

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) including ABS, ASR and EDL

EBD - Electronic brakeforce distribution

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Standard suspension

Communication

Audi connect with Amazon Alexa Integration

Bluetooth interface

Audi connect safety and service (e-call)

Voice control system

Audi smartphone interface includes wireless Apple carplay/Android Auto

Driver Aids

Audi drive select

Cruise control + speed limiter

Progressive steering

Park assist plus

Camera based traffic sign recognition

360 degree camera

Lane departure warning system

Driver Convenience

Remote park assist plus

Automatic start/stop system with coasting functionality

Power operated tailgate

Driver Information

Service interval indicator

MMI navigation plus with 10.1" and 8.6" touch screens

Audi virtual cockpit

Head up Display

Driving Mirrors

Frameless auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Body coloured door mirrors

Electrically adjustable heated and folding + automatically dimming exterior mirrors with memory function

Embellishment Trims

Aluminium fragment inlay

Engine

Diesel particulate filter

22 litre AdBlue tank

12V Mild hybrid

Entertainment

Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System

Audi front music interface

2 USB-C ports with charging functionality in the rear

Auxiliary input socket

USB connection

DAB Digital radio

Exterior Body Features

Aluminium roof rails

Rear roof spoiler

Matt black side air intake grille with inlay in matt aluminium

Rear side wing doors

Matt black rear diffuser with diffuser strip and tailpipes in chrome

Panoramic opening glass sunroof

Radiator grille in anthracite black matt, single frame in chrome and horizontal struts in matt aluminium silver

Exterior Lights

LED rear lights with dynamic indicators

Matrix LED headlights

Daytime running lights

LED third brake light

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

4 zone climate control

Interior Features

Twin leather upholstery

Lunar silver cloth headlining

Front centre armrest

Height/reach adjust steering wheel

Tool kit and car jack

3 spoke high multi-function leather steering wheel with shift paddles

Leather gear knob

Door sill trims with aluminium inlay

Luggage compartment system

Interior Lights

Audi phone box light

Packs

Non smoking pack - A6

Multi coloured extended LED interior lighting pack - A6

Safety

Airbags - Front side, front and rear including head

3 point seatbelts on all seats

Tyre pressure warning light

Audi pre-sense front

Audi pre sense basic

Warning triangle and first aid kit

ISOFIX child seat mounting for front passenger seat and ISOFIX child seat mounting with Top Tether for outer rear seats

Seatbelt monitoring

Extended pedestrian protection measures

Manual child proof rear door locks

Seats

Single front passenger seat

40/20/40 split folding 3 rear seat bench in 3 parts with rear centre armrest

Front head restraints

Rear headrests

Electrically adjustable front seats including seat height, fore/aft position, backrest angle and 4-way lumbar with memory for driver's seat

Heated front and rear seats

Security

Keyless Go

Anti-theft wheel bolts and wheel loosening detection

Anti theft alarm with tow away protection

Advanced key

Remote central locking

Immobiliser

Transmission

Quattro on demand

Vanity Mirrors

Illuminated sun visors with vanity mirrors

Wheels - Alloy

18" 5 arm design cast aluminium alloy wheels

Emissions - ICE

HC: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 152

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 155

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 154

Engine and Drive Train

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Code: 4A5BIY

Gears: 7 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

CC: 1968

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 47.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 48.7

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 47.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 5.9

General

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 34E

Service Interval Mileage: 18000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 204

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

AdBlue: No

Generation Mark: 6

Coin Description: TDI Quattro

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Coin Series: Sport [Tech Pro]

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 40.8

Engine Torque - NM: 400

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 295

Engine Power - KW: 150

Engine Power - BHP: 204

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Torque - RPM: 1750

Top Speed: 149

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.6

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Front: 225/55 R18

Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY

Tyre Size Rear: 225/55 R18

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Wheel Style: 5 ARM

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4939

Width (including mirrors): 2110

Height: N

Width: N

Height (including roof rails): 1467

Wheelbase: 2924

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1770

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2000

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.1

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2425

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 565

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 63

Max. Loading Weight: 655

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Engine

73 litre fuel tank

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Audi exclusive metallic paint

Packs

Storage pack - A6

Extended leatherette pack - A6

City assist pack with front cross traffic assist - A6

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Glacier white

Metallic - Floret silver

Metallic - Mythos black

Metallic - Manhattan grey

Metallic - Firmament blue

Metallic - Chronos grey

Metallic - Madeira brown

Paint - Solid

Solid - Brilliant black

Solid - Arkona white

Paint - Special

Audi Exclusive Metallic - Custom

Service/Warranty

Audi warranty - 5 years or 90000 miles

Audi warranty - 4 years or 75000 miles

Towing

Electrically swivelling trailer towing hitch

Trim - Leather

Twin leather - Black with rock grey contrast stitching + lower dashboard, door panels, carpet, floor mats, seat belts in black

Twin leather - Okapi brown with steel grey contrast stitching + lower dashboard, door panels, carpet, floor mats, seat belts in black

Twin leather - Pearl beige with pearl beige contrast stitching + lower dashboard, door panels, carpet, floor mats, seat belts in pearl beige

Twin leather - Pearl beige with agate grey contrast stitching + lower dashboard, door panels in pearl beige + carpet, floor mats, seat belts in black

Wheels - Spare

Space saver spare wheel and jack