Audi A6 TDI Diesel MPG Review

December 1st, 2008 | audi, awd, diesel

MPG-o-Matic Review Summary: Every once in a while, a car rolls into the driveway that proves just how good things can be … the Audi A6 Quattro TDI is one of those cars. Unfortunately, the A6 TDI isn’t for sale in America, just yet …

Under the hood, the Euro-spec 2007 Audi A6 TDI is fitted with a 3.0-liter V6 direct injection clean diesel engine, producing 233 horsepower (HP) and 332 foot pounds of torque.

When you get down to it, that’s about as much power as you’ll ever need. Due to the constraints of the American highway system, we only had the chance to flirt with but half of the A6’s TDI’s rated top speed of 153 miles per hour.

The A6 TDI is a substantial car, weighing in at just under 3900 lbs. The adjustable suspension, Quattro all-wheel-drive, torque-filled V6 diesel, and nearly two tons of heft deliver a locomotive-like feeling.

The S-Line trim provides an understated elegance, with perhaps the most comfortable and supportive adjustable heated seats I’ve ever had the pleasure to experience. After nearly two hundred miles in the saddle one evening, my aching back actually felt better after I got out of the car.

Our brief two-day road test reaffirmed the official fuel economy ratings of 23.5 city / 46.3 highway / 34 combined, as we averaged 33.1 miles per gallon (MPG) combined … and I’ll admit … I had my foot in it, more then a bit.

These figures represent a roughly 30% fuel-efficiency advantage over the equivalent gasoline-powered A6, along with a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions.

The diesel V6 delivers smooth and effortless acceleration up to highway speeds, with a stated 0-62 time of 7.1 seconds. Once on the highway, it happily loafs along.

The A6 TDI absolutely devours the open road. With a generous fuel capacity of 21 gallons, the car was engineered to maximize the time between fill-ups.

This is a refined driver’s car. Adaptive air suspension let the driver dial in the ride, selecting comfort, automatic, or dynamic suspension settings. Paddle shifters allow for full control over the 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, for a heightened level of involvement.

Doing what I do, folks often ask, “so you drive a lot of cars … what’s your favorite?”

While it’s been impossible to pick just one, so far, the Audi A6 TDI sits among the few at the top of the heap. It’s rare that I get to drive a car that imparts such a substantial, yet sporting feel. Were I of the means to consider a luxury diesel sedan, the Audi A6 TDI would surely be on my short list.