Test drive Audi A6 50 TDI 286 CV Quattro, presidential saloon with ECO badge

The German brand of the four rings has done a remarkable job with the new generation of the Audi A6, placing it on a level with its bigger siblings in the range. Add the enormous interior space to the 50 TDI diesel unit – the new name for the 3.0 V6 TDI engine – with its 286 CV and Quattro all-wheel drive, and the end result is simply sublime.

If you are looking for a very spacious saloon for long journeys, with an engine that stands out for its performance and a technological arsenal worthy of an A8, you will surely like this Audi A6 50 TDI 286 CV Quattro.

Design: outward elegance with a spacious and avant-garde interior

Outside, this A6 exudes elegance: a traditional three-box saloon with elegant, imposing straight lines that draw attention wherever it goes. The full-LED front headlights, which offer outstanding illumination, stand out, as do the enormous 20-inch wheels (19 inches would have been enough). At the rear, the lights extend around the tail, framed by a chrome line that adds an elegant touch. As a curious detail, despite the chrome trim at the bottom, the exhaust outlet is not visible.

Moving to the interior, it is a positive surprise to see that they have taken the base of the A7 for the interior of their more traditional saloon. The first thing that catches the eye is the huge central console in glossy black plastic (the material used is the only criticism worth mentioning given the high interior quality), with a double touchscreen with a simply outstanding feel (the climate control screen becomes a blackboard on which to write an address, for example).

The rest of the finishes are in soft plastic or leather, and we really liked the ambient lighting, which changes according to the driving mode. Technology is present throughout the interior, from the fully digital instrumentation to the dual touchscreen system.

The driving position is very comfortable: you can devour kilometres seated and your back won’t complain, and if it does, you can always activate the seat massage function to reduce pressure (a highly recommended extra for those who travel a lot, as are the ventilated and heated seats). At the wheel it is comfortable, with a sense of spaciousness, good visibility and everything to hand.

The rear seats are fit for an official car (keeping in mind its bigger sibling in the range, the Audi A8). They offer plenty of space for feet and head, plus rear air vents at two points and a dedicated climate control to manage comfort.

The boot is adequate, with a load capacity of 530 litres, while inside there are several compartments to store our things, including a wireless phone charging zone in the front armrest.

Engine and performance: smooth and forceful with ECO badge

Under the 50 TDI designation lies a 3.0 V6 diesel engine producing 286 CV, and thanks to the mild-hybrid system it achieves the coveted ECO badge. The first thing that stands out about the unit is its smoothness, while the good interior soundproofing isolates us from almost everything.

Its response is forceful when you press the accelerator, especially above 2,500 rpm and up to nearly 5,000. That said, the eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox (and its 1,900 kg weight) is not as quick as one might expect from a car with almost 300 CV, and it lacks immediacy, but once you get used to this, the powertrain makes this A6 gain speed rapidly.

Once you are accustomed to the gearbox, if you select Sport mode the engine’s response is very performance-oriented, pinning you to the seat. What the gearbox does provide is plenty of comfort, something this Audi A6 is proud of.

Handling: agile like a city car and comfortable on any terrain.

Before discussing handling, it is worth remembering that this Audi A6 comes with Quattro all-wheel drive and a highly recommended extra: dynamic four-wheel steering. This means you can thread through the narrowest streets of Seville, Barcelona or Madrid with the agility of a city car, or enjoy a winding road where, with a slight touch of the wheel, the A6 responds instantly to where you point it.

On motorways and main roads, its smoothness, where it seems to float thanks to the air suspension, is matched by a more than forceful effectiveness when taking bends on mountain passes. You can choose between several driving modes that affect the throttle response, gearbox, suspension and steering: Efficiency, Auto, Dynamic, Comfort and Individual.

In short, on the tarmac its level of comfort is outstanding, and it is even economical, since in some situations, where we are not pressing the accelerator, it can completely switch off the engine (Efficiency mode). And if we want to have fun, its engine, chassis and pushing power will put a smile on your face – it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. Finally, in town it is a really practical car, with an arsenal of technology that lets us park or manoeuvre anywhere.

Consumption: ECO badge with moderate consumption

It is not only eco-friendly thanks to a mild-hybrid system that helps reduce emissions and even switches the engine off while driving when we don’t need power, but its consumption is also very moderate for a saloon with 286 CV.

On the motorway average consumption is 6.4 litres per 100 km, and it is very hard to exceed 7 litres per 100 km. On main roads it depends on your driving style: if you are careful with the accelerator and let its smoothness lull you, it is easy to get close to 6-6.2 litres per 100 km, while if you are more aggressive the figure rises to 7 litres per 100 km. In town the figure rises much more, and it is easy for it to hover around 9 litres per 100 km.

Equipment: technologically advanced with more than thirty driver assistance systems

The equipment list is almost endless on this Audi A6, both standard and optional, with extras that far exceed 30,000 euros. In terms of safety, besides multiple airbags, stability control and emergency braking in the event of a collision, it also offers extras such as: lane change warning (which acts on the steering if we drift out of our lane unintentionally), blind-spot warning, pedestrian detection with automatic braking, night vision camera with pedestrian detection, rear traffic alert, among other features.

Systems such as adaptive cruise control that even adjusts speed according to road traffic signs (combined with the navigation system, it also slows down if we approach a junction or roundabout), a driver assistant that acts on the steering to keep us automatically within the lane, among others, can also be added. In the multimedia section, the speakers signed by Bang & Olufsen stand out, with 16 speakers offering 3D sound and 705 W of power.

Personal opinion and price of the Audi A6

For those looking for a saloon that devours kilometres with a certain sporty touch, this Audi A6 is a good option, because it can also drive in the worst pollution scenarios thanks to its ECO badge. It does not achieve a design as sporty as the Audi A7 nor the exquisite care for rear passengers of the A8, but it blends the best of both with a lower starting price.

This Audi A6 starts at 51,160 euros, but with all the extras added, our test unit exceeds 100,000 euros. That said, with a suitable combination of options you can have an A6 at a more moderate price while still getting everything in terms of technology and safety.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

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