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| Audi
A6 3.0 TDi |
Broadcast
dates : 14th Nov 2004
18th Nov 2004 |
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Performance-testing an Audi A6
may seem a little strange, considering that this is a large
family sedan in the premium luxury segment.
Clint doesn’t need too much in the way of justification to
put a car through its paces on the racetrack, but there was a
good reason for testing this particular A6 over the
four-hundred metre strip at Wesbank Raceway.
Our test car was fitted with the three-litre V6 diesel engine.
And rated at a hundred –and-sixty-five kiloWatts, it’s one
of the most powerful diesel-engined cars in production.
Torque is truly massive, at four-hundred-and-fifty Newton
metres, and when the turbocharger spools up, there’s an
amazing rush of power to the wheels.
The A6 has a claimed zero to one-hundred time of
seven-comma-three seconds at the coast, and a
two-hundred-and-forty-three kilometres-per-hour top speed.
Overall fuel consumption is claimed to be eight-comma-three
litres per hundred kilometers.
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The Audi A6 uses the famous Quattro all-wheel-drive system, an
Audi trademark that imparts excellent high-speed stability in
all conditions.
The Quattro drive contributes to excellent braking. The A6 TDi
is fitted with ventilated discs all round as well as ABS and
Brake Assist. Stopping times and distances for a large car are
excellent.
An all-wheel-drive system does impose certain handling
behavior that needs to be taken into consideration when
pushing a car like this to its limits.
Like any four-wheel-drive system, the car will under-steer
when adhesion limits are reached, and the driver should take
this into account.
The A6 is fitted with the latest electronic traction control
and cornering assist devices, and it’s extremely safe.
The diesel engine is not only powerful, but has very little
diesel clatter. This is only noticeable at idle speeds.
The diesel model is available only with the new six-speed
Tiptronic automatic gearbox.
The gearbox offers very fast shifting, and has a sports
programme which allows higher revs and faster throttle
response if so desired.
The power of the diesel is excellent, but coupled to the auto
box it’s not always ideal.
When the engine begins boosting, the ramp up to high-torque
output is sometimes a bit sudden. It takes too much
concentration to drive the car smoothly, as the car
accelerates faster than intended.
You do get used to it, but a more gradual build up in power
would make it easier to drive.
The Audi A6 is a good-looking car with its trademark deep
grille and wide-track stance.
The interior is a fine mix of luxury and good ergonomics.
Our test car was fitted with the optional DVD navigation
system. The colour monitor is standard on the three-litre TDi
model. This system is known as MMI or multi-media interface.
This consists of a high-quality audio system which includes a
six-CD changer.
Standard equipment includes a multi-function steering wheel
and electric leather covered seats. Key-less entry to the car
is standard on the automatic transmission models in the A6
range.
Other standard items include rain-sensing wipers, automatic
light activation in dark conditions, fog lights, and an
electro-mechanical parking brake
The A6 is a large car, and offers excellent rear seat space in
the leg and headroom departments.
The boot is also large, offering an impressive
five-hundred-and-forty-six litres in capacity.
Priced at R474 500 the Audi A6 3.0 TDi is an expensive,
premium-level large sedan.
It’s already been nominated as one of the finalists for the
2005 Car of the Year competition, mostly on the strength of
its excellent power outputs by diesel standards.
Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro Tiptronic
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Engine:V6 turbodiesel
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Power 165 kW @ 4000 rpm
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Torque: 450 Nm @ 1 400 to 3 250 rpm
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Transmission: Six-speed Tiptronic, all-wheel-drive
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0-100 km/h: 7,3 seconds (claimed)
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Top speed: 243 km/h (claimed)
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Fuel consumption: 8,3 litres/100 km (claimed)
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Price: R474 500
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