Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

2019 Audi A6 review - does the new A6 finally drive better than its rivals? - Performance and 0-60 time

The Audi A6’s core virtues remain, but it doesn’t shine like it once did - rivals still do executive better

Evo rating
  • Refined, top-notch tech and competitive powertrains
  • Doesn’t out-perform rivals in any one area, interior materials not up to usual standards

Performance and 0-60mph time

Performance across the range is competitive against main rivals, but there is a notable lack of any stand-out performers. The entry-level front-wheel drive 40 TDI is the least enthusiastic on paper, with a 0-62mph time of 8.1sec. The Quattro model, thanks to its traction advantage, wipes half a second off this time to 7.6sec, but the remainder of the powertrain range are more interesting mechanically. The 45TFSI’s 6sec 0-62mph time is more impressive too, with the 50 TDI and 55 TFSI doing the deed in 5.5sec and 5.1sec respectively.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The 50 TDI, in typical fashion, is impressively hushed and has lots of mid-range grunt to rely on at road speeds, but the strident 55 TFSI, with its 335bhp, makes it a surprisingly brisk Q-car, especially in SE trim. For real performance though one will have to head to Audi’s S and RS range. The RS models are still to come, but for now Audi’s revitalised S6 models and their mild-hybrid V6 diesels don’t particularly build on the 55 TFSI’s numbers (0-62mph is 5sec dead), but rather with an immense 516lb ft mid-range.

The 40 TDI is probably the most surprising engine of the trio, with high levels of refinement and the ability to deliver a solid whack of performance across a broad spread of the rev range. Ultimately it can’t quite match the V6s in terms of resistance to noise and vibration and it lacks their performance too, but nor does it feel like a compromise too far.

The V6s still feel more appropriate and, of the pair, it’s the petrol that feels sweetest, but the diesel digs deeper for its performance from lower revs so there’s not a lot in it for real-world pace. And naturally, the TDI models’ economy should see them comfortably outsell the TFSI.

 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The Nissan GT-R is finally dead after 18 years
Nissan GT-R finishes production
News

The Nissan GT-R is finally dead after 18 years

The Nissan GT-R has finally ended production, at over 48,000 units after 18 years on sale. It’ll be missed.
28 Aug 2025
Caterham Horse prototype 2025 review – new turbo engine keeps the Seven alive
HORSE powered Caterham
Reviews

Caterham Horse prototype 2025 review – new turbo engine keeps the Seven alive

Caterham needs a replacement for Ford’s out-of-production Sigma engine. Its solution is a 1.3 turbo from Horse. We drive it
28 Aug 2025
The new Audi RS3 GT will be a track-focused farewell to the five-cylinder engine
Audi RS3 GT – front
News

The new Audi RS3 GT will be a track-focused farewell to the five-cylinder engine

Audi’s five-cylinder engine isn’t long for this world, and a new hardcore RS3 is in the works to send it off in style
26 Aug 2025