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Audi A6 C7 Avant 3.0 TDI Biturbo (2011-2018) review - price, specs and 0-60 time

The new A6 Avant comes with the option of a brand new 309bhp twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel engine

Evo rating
Price
from £46,000
  • Very quick but frugal, stylish, great cabin
  • Not that rewarding to drive, questions over ride/ handling balance

This is the entirely predictable estate version of Audi’s new A6.

Engine and performance

Usually on such a mainstream Audi launch we’d have looked down the list of available engines and plumped for the 3.0 TFSI V6, reporting that it was effective, if a bit dull.

But not this time: there are already two 3.0-litre diesels in the new A6 range – the 201bhp, front-wheel drive Multitronic and the 242bhp Quattro S-Tronic – but this new twin-turbo model sits above them and switches to the 8-speed Tiptronic ‘box due to the engine’s prodigious torque output.

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Just how healthy that torque output is becomes quickly apparent. There’s 309bhp – exactly the same as BMW’s 535d - and a BMW-busting 479lb ft of torque. The engine uses a new sequential turbo system; a small turbine for low rev response, switching over via a vacuum valve to a larger compressor wheel for ultimate power. At 2,500rpm the valve opens and the big turbo starts to assist; by 4,500rpm it’s doing all the work.

As with the saloon, the Avant is made from a mixture of steel and aluminium, with Audi claiming that it’s up to 80kg lighter than the old A6 Avant. It’s lower and wider than before, too, with a longer wheelbase reducing the front overhang and increasing cabin space (although it’s no match for an E-class wagon in its load carrying ability).

What’s it like to drive?

Seriously rapid. Think 5.3sec for 0-62mph and a top speed limited to 155mph, together with an official combined economy of 44mpg - and hence excellent range. This is a diesel that doesn’t run out of puff before the red line: you can rev it up to 5,250rpm and find the effort worthwhile, while letting the revs hang high between corners doesn’t mean ruing an asthmatic response when you accelerate again.

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In ‘Sport’, this S-line car has a noise ‘actuator’ in the exhaust that emits a deeper rumble. It’s still not an attractive noise, but it certainly sounds purposeful – particularly if you short-shift through the gears manually.

The Avant in this spec is still a big, heavy car, but while it remains a mute, non-emotive sort of car to drive, it feels a lot less inert than previous hot A6s. Traction, predictably, is a strongpoint, while the quattro differential makes it less relentlessly nose-led.

Rivals

BMW’s 535d M-Sport Touring is the obvious comparison – both offer stellar real-world pace, with the pleasing benefit of manageable fuel consumption, great range and low C02 (169g/km for the A6). Once they’d have been poles apart, but the BMW is more reserved in its latest incarnation, and the Audi more responsive than of old – though not as rewarding as the Beemer.

Anything else I should know?

Expect to see this engine in a variety of big, fast Audis in the near future. You don't need much imagination to foresee a remapped version of this engine with more than 500lb ft...

Price and release date

The Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI Biturbo is available now from £46,000.

Specifications

Engine2967cc V6 diesel, twin turbocharged
Max power309bhp @ TBC
Max torque479lb ft @ TBC
0-605.3 sec (claimed)
Top speed155mph (electronically limited)
On sale155mph
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