Audi A6 review

At launch you got to choose between two engines of 3.0-litres and six-cylinders, one petrol and one diesel – the 55 TFSI and 50 TDI. But now the meat of the range is the 2.0-litre cars - the 40 and 45 TFSI and 40 TDI. All engines get a seven-speed automatic gearbox (except the big diesel, which gets an eight-speeder). Quattro all-wheel drive is optional on 2.0-litre cars (except the base-spec petrol, which is front-wheel drive) and standard on the 3.0-litres. 

All engines get mild-hybrid technology, which uses a lithium-ion battery and belt alternator starter to give engine-off coasting between 34 and 99mph and super-smooth start/stop that kicks in when you drop below 14mph, and restarts when it senses the car ahead has moved off. But if that's not enough electrification for you, Audi also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the A6 called the 50 TFSIe. It marries a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a 14.1kWh battery and small e-motor for a claimed 34 miles of electric running.

The 2.0-litre diesel is impressive – punchy (204bhp), exceptionally quiet and a good match for the DCT to which it’s paired. As for the two 3.0-litres – see our A7 review. In isolation the TDI is a fine thing, but exposure to the TFSI (or Mercedes’ diesel inline-six) really shows up its deficiencies – namely the extra volume and added vibrations. The petrol is whisper-quiet, satisfyingly brisk and unencumbered by the eight-speed auto – its DCT is sharper and more decisive.

The plug-in, meanwhile, has some odd traits. It’s very quiet in EV mode, but the internal combustion engine isn’t as refined as it ought to be and the ‘Efficiency Assist’ system means braking can be unpredictable. Click here to read more about the A6 plug-in hybrid.

Today’s A4 is as good an A4 as ever there’s been because Audi concentrated on making it as quiet, comfortable and refined as possible. It didn’t embark on a frankly unwinnable quest to make it better to drive than a BMW 3 Series or Jaguar XE. Which is why it’s a bit worrying the A6’s bumf is awash with words like ‘sporty’ and ‘dynamic’. Audi claims its new model is “noticeably more agile” than the car it replaces. And for the most part it’s right, though we’d stop short of calling it especially fun or in any way sporty.

There are four different suspension options – which one you get (or are allowed to specify) depends on the engine and trim level you’ve chosen. Besides the standard, steel springs there’s ‘Sports Suspension’ (a bit stiffer, lowers the body by 20mm), ‘Suspension with Damper Control’ (adds adaptive dampers and a 10mm drop from standard) and the top-of-the-line ‘Adaptive Air Suspension’. At minimum you want the adaptive dampers because the S-Line’s standard steel springs are too firm. Failing that, just stick with Sport. 

Steering? Twirly light in any of its modes (where it has modes). Remote, as indeed you’d expect. In cars with all-wheel steering you get a ‘dynamic’ rack that basically makes up its own mind about how much steering lock is required depending on your current speed, whether you want it or not. Not the most confidence-inspiring setup, but worth living with for the four-wheel steering.