IT is amazing what a supercharger and some shiny wheels can do to a car's image. Until now, the Audi A6 saloon has rarely been most people's idea of an interesting drive. But that could change, especially with the arrival of the A6 3.0 TFSI quattro.
The current A6 was introduced here in 2006, so this latest variant immediately distinguishes itself by having a refreshed exterior. But this is not the most exciting aspect of the car as that is reserved for what lies under the bonnet - this is the first model in the Audi lineup to feature a supercharger.
Until now, Audi has relied on a turbocharger or a naturally aspirated engine with a massive displacement, or both, to create truck-like pulling power. This is the first time a compressor has been strapped on to boost output.
The carmaker says the compressor's compact packaging is an advantage over a twin turbo when it comes to the A6's 3.0-litre V6 engine - the Roots blower fits neatly inside the 90-degree V of the cylinder banks. The supercharger also provides more immediate response as it does not have the traditional turbo lag.
The result is the three-litre direct injection engine delivers its maximum 420 Newton-metres of torque from just 2,500 rpm and maintains this right up to 4,850 rpm.
On the road, it translates to a constant rush of power once you get the A6 up to speed. The big Audi seems to have bigger lungs than its three litres and this impression is further enhanced by the lightness of its controls.
The steering is light and its smooth operation makes it easy to point the A6 accurately. With the car's easy pedal action, the A6 is quick off its feet. Add to that the optimised traction from the quattro all-wheel-drive system and a cheetah on stimulants couldn't feel more hyper.
Equally fast is the six-speed automatic transmission. It shifts down almost instantaneously at high engine revs, either with the gear lever or the steering-mounted shift paddles.
Incidentally, the latter are made of hard plastic and don't quite gel with the rest of the high-end cabin.
The suspension is also slightly soft. So while the power delivery is slick, you would probably prefer a set of harder springs while zipping around at breakneck speeds.
Still, its handling is commendable for a car its size. With an overall length of 4.93 metres, the A6 is the longest saloon in its segment, which includes the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series.
It is also comfortable, with excellent head and leg room as well as ample elbow space. And as with all Audis, the quality of the well-designed interior is high. The cabin has had a mild makeover and there is also a new-generation Multi Media Interface (MMI). In addition to the top-of-the-line navigation plus software, this Audi operating system also includes a 40 GB hard drive for storing MP3 music and phone directory entries. But while the MMI is easy to use with its numerous hard keys complementing the controller knob, the lower centre console is now starting to look a bit cluttered compared with the competition. There are buttons everywhere, even some flanking the display screen, which includes one to open the glove compartment.
Perhaps it's a good thing that interior space isn't an issue.
