[OBI_agent]

Looks and sounds pretty impressive!

CARANDDRIVER
If it’s true that Audi is headed for a future of fuel-conscious supercharged V-6s and turbocharged four-cylinders instead of its current stable of powerful but carbon-plundering V-8s, V-10s, and even a W-12, the first entrant in that scaled-down scenario has arrived, the A6 3.0T Quattro.

With an Eaton four-lobe supercharger—capable of boosting the intake pressure to a maximum of 11.6 psi—married to a 3.0-liter V-6, the A6 3.0T Quattro makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This is basically the same engine that will power the upcoming 333-hp 2010 Audi S4.

Mash the gas from a stop, and the 3.0T delivers linear power that propels the 4114-pound sedan to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, 1.5 seconds sooner than the old 255-hp, 3.1-liter A6 Quattro hit that mark.

CARANDDRIVER
Nice, too, is the absence of a supercharger’s whine, as buyers in this class might think twice before plunking down $52,425 to be hounded by a shrill whistle on their daily commutes. (Some staffers were so surprised they got out of the car to search for the “3.0T” badges on the front fenders; the “T” now refers to both turbo- and supercharged engines.)

CARANDDRIVER
Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED: $52,425 (base price: $50,925)

ENGINE TYPE: supercharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 183 cu in, 2995cc
Power (SAE net): 300 bhp @ 5100 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 310 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 111.9 in Length: 193.5 in Width: 79.2 in Height: 57.4 in
Curb weight: 4114 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 14.0 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 21.5 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.0 sec @ 100 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 127 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 18/26 mpg

CARANDDRIVER_A6_3.0T

MOTORTREND
nderhood the 2009 Audi A6 3.0T, the supercharger provides 11.6psi maximum boost to produce 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Max torque is available from 2500 rpm to 5100 rpm, where max horsepower starts and stays until the 6800 rpm redline. The result is eyebrow-raising acceleration as you pull the six-speed automatic's paddle shifters and watch as the digital speedometer slot-machines into triple digits. And that seat-of-the-pants sensation translates to the hard data: Acceleration to 60 mph takes 5.4 sec, just a tenth off the pace of the outgoing Nissan 350Z Track. Sure, the Z reaches the quarter-mile mark a little over a tenth faster, but this A6 is an inconspicuous, all-wheel-drive, 4139-lb sedan.

MOTORTREND

Audi is keen on that unassuming nature. The Roots-type blower sits concealed between the cylinder banks of the V-6. Hood popped, there's no indication of a power adder - save for the "TFSI" misnomer. There's no belt whine at speed, either. The engine fires in silenced, but powerful blasts. It's quiet and deceivingly quick -- a good combination for, say, a spy.

However, the most interesting comparison is with the supercharged 3.0L's older brother, Audi's 4.2L V-8. While 50 hp and 15 lb-ft stronger, the V-8 takes a 2-mpg city and 3-mpg highway hit versus the V-6's 18/26. Performance between the two is close -- Audi claims the V-8-equipped A6 reaches 60 mph in 5.8 sec. Yet, identically optioned, it costs $5750 more. The 3.0T, then, is a relative bargain.

The engine's an excellent addition to a solid platform. It adds V-8-like forward thrust without the increased fuel consumption, and beautifully complements the A6's smart packaging and well-crafted interior. Enthusiasts are still likely to choose the 5 Series for a more engaging (rear) drive, but the Audi's overall smoothness provides ample argument for its case. A perfect split? If not, the 3.0T is arguably the best A6 yet.

MOTORTREND
2009 Audi A6 3.0T quattro Sedan
Base Price $50,925
Price as tested $56,025
Vehicle layout Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door, sedan
Engine 3.0L/300-hp/310-lb-ft supercharged DOHC 24-valve V-6
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Curb weight (dist f/r) 4139 lb (57/43%)
Wheelbase 111.9 in
Length x width x height 193.5 x 79.2 x 57.4 in
0-30 mph 1.7 sec
0-40 2.9
0-50 4.0
0-60 5.4
0-70 7.2
0-80 9.1
0-90 11.3
1-100 13.7
Quarter mile 13.9 sec @ 100.7 mph
45-65 mph 2.7 sec
Braking, 60-0 mph 125 ft
Lateral acceleration 0.83 g (avg)
MT Figure Eight 27.1 sec @ 0.65 g (avg)
EPA city/hwy fuel econ 18 / 26 mpg
CO2 emissions 0.93 lb/mile

It's without the S line package so...That's why it kinda sucks in braking.

[ejazbmw]

eh looks boring all there rears look the same now

[OBI_agent]

Lol....no one has nothing to say about the new engine. It's a 335/535/740 competition for crying out loud.

[E82tt6]

It must be under rated. 100mph trap with 4200+lbs is a BIG stretch with 300hp.

My S60R trapped in that neighborhood stock with 300hp, and weighed much less.

Very impressive. This motor will give the N54 a run for it's money.

[adrian1480]

I was under the impression that the 4's and 5's shared the same engine?

If not, will the 5's get a new engine for 2010 as well?

[footie]

Originally Posted by adrian1480

I was under the impression that the 4's and 5's shared the same engine?

If not, will the 5's get a new engine for 2010 as well?

I read that only the S5 convertible will be receiving the new 3.0TFSI engine to start with and the S5 coupe will eventually receive it but not until 2010/11, the same goes for the DSG gearbox as well.

On the subject of the S5 Convertible, EVO tested it and their comments on the engine was that it sounded remarkably like a Porsche boxer 6 engine, for those who love it's sound then surely that's a good thing.

Oh, the comments about it being under-rated in the A6 is similar to the comments about the S4 so it may very well be the case, as it is with all those BMWs that use the 35i engine.

[Bols]

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

eh looks boring all there rears look the same now

+1

Waiting for real numbers from more magazine-test tho, The ones audi bring out have proven to be wrong way too many times.

for example the 3l A5 beating the 3l beemer 0-60 on paper by far, but it was slower in all the tests

[///M ichael]

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

eh looks boring all there rears look the same now

+1 and the new S4 is $$$

[OBI_agent]

Originally Posted by E82tt6

It must be under rated. 100mph trap with 4200+lbs is a BIG stretch with 300hp.

My S60R trapped in that neighborhood stock with 300hp, and weighed much less.

Very impressive. This motor will give the N54 a run for it's money.

+1.....FI(Forced Inducted) engines are always underrated.....most of the time.
Anyway, I love how the peak hp is achieved at 5100rpm and stays around 6800rpm........kinda like a diesel with higher power band.

Originally Posted by ///M ichael

+1 and the new S4 is $$$

I'm not being optimistic but sources say B8 S4 will be priced equally or less then the outgoing B7 S4. But I wouldnt be surprised if it's more then that.