Audi A6 2.0 TFSI 2012 review

HEAR that noise? It's German businessmen cheering. No, not because season 10 of Inspector Rex is out on DVD. The high-fives are due to the recent launch of the next-generation Audi A6 -- their car of choice.

In Australia, the A6 doesn't connect in the same way. It's third among the large prestige car bestsellers with 590 sales this year -- far behind the Mercedes-Benz E-Class on 1177 and BMW's 5 Series on 1109. Tailgating the A6 is the Jaguar XF with 441.

There's a lot more going for Audi's luxury sedan than the figures suggest. And the argument for buying one has just become stronger with the arrival of four-cylinder turbo petrol and diesel models with a price closer to a Holden Caprice than its German rivals.

VALUE

There are five cars in the 2012 A6 line-up. Starting with the V6 quattros, the top-spec petrol 3.0 TFSI is $121,000, the diesel 3.0 TDI is $116,500 and the petrol 2.8FSI is $93,900. The front-drive four-cylinders are the diesel 2.0 TDI at $78,900 and our petrol 2.0 TFSI is $77,900. The latter's rivals are the Benz E250 at $97,780, BMW 528i at $99,900 and Jaguar XF 2.2D Luxury at $78,900. 

If you want to throw in an Aussie outsider, the Holden Caprice is $61,990. It might be a big V6 but the Audi A6's turbo four almost matches its torque. The TFSI comes standard with keyless entry and ignition, light and rain sensors, parking assistance, 8-inch pop-up monitor for satnav and multimedia, Drive Select to change comfort, dynamic and economy settings, leather all round with power front seats, 10-speaker audio, wing mirrors with memory settings, Bluetooth, alarm and 17-inch aluminium wheels. The spare wheel is a space saver.

TECHNOLOGY

The 2.0 TFSI's outputs are 132kW/320Nm (healthy compared with the 2.8's 150kW/280Nm). The claimed fuel economy is 6.4L/100km; I averaged 10.1L/100km in mainly city driving. The engine has a stop-start mode to save fuel and there is a braking-energy recovery system. The four-cylinder A6s use Audi's continuously variable transmission, precluding all-wheel drive, but saving on weight and price.

SAFETY

All A6s have a five-star ANCAP crash-test rating. Standard across the range are eight airbags, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control and electronic differential lock, which allocate drive to the wheel or wheels with traction.

DESIGN

The 2012 version is the seventh generation of the car and there's still some residual styling DNA from the original in the current car. A German businessman time-travelling from 1997 would recognise it. It's not boring -- I think it's damned sexy with its peaked ridges running down the bonnet to those LED-lined eyes. The body is low, the stance is wide and the wheel arches are muscular.

The only drawback is that the A6 looks too similar to other Audis. The company has taken a cookie-cutter approach to shaping the cars and this may help with brand identity, but the models are losing differentiation. You have to be an Audi geek to tell your A4 from your A6.

Inside the 2.0 TFSI it's more executive than luxury. Controls for the satnav and radio are right next to your hand on the centre console. Leg room is excellent front and back. The boot is almost wagon-sized at 530 litres.

DRIVING

The 2.0 TFSI has more than enough grunt to get itself out of (or into) trouble and rides like a limo. You pay for Audi's chassis tuning and knowledge of suspension set-up, and you get your money's worth in assured and predictable handling.

VERDICT

The A6 2.0 TFSI is a deal breaker. If you were planning to buy a 5 Series or an E-Class, the Audi for less cash could be a very attractive option. Or it could be a first step up into a prestige Euro sedan for only a tad more than Holden money.

RATING

AUDI A6 2.0 TFSI

Price: $77,900
Warranty: Three years
Resale: 57% (est)
Service: 15,000km/12 months
Safety equipment: 8 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, TC, EDL
Crash rating: 5-star
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol, 132kW/320Nm
Body: 4-door, 5-seat
Transmission: CVT
Economy: 6.4L/100km, 149g/km CO2.