Even now lurking in the shadows of the BMW five-collection and the Mercedes E-course, the Audi A6 has now been tarred and feathered with a raft of lightweight, gas-sipping eco tech. Sold under the ‘Ultra’ banner that is been stickered all over Audi’s Le Mans-successful sporting activities autos for the past number of years, the A6 has been followed by Extremely variations of the A4 and A5 designs as the tag proliferates across the Audi range
What is the Audi A6 Ultra all about?
Ultra is Audi-talk for the efficiency therapy of its designs, with the Ultra mechanicals presented on the entry-amount SE, S-line and Black Edition. Our check automobile is an S-line, which will come with 18in alloys (the auto pictured has 20in wheels), a 20mm reduce experience height and sports body addenda, plush brushed aluminium and leather-based sports seats.
Irrespective of the tools amount, each A6 Extremely is driven by a 187bhp 2.-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder, a bump up more than the standard diesel’s 175bhp. A six-velocity handbook with longer ratios for the higher gears is regular, but our car’s optional (£1530) 7-velocity dual-clutch S-tronic enhances the figures even more – like the engine it’s new as well, with diminished inside friction to aid gasoline financial system. Begin/end is normal as well.
What are the figures, then?
The A6 Extremely has a claimed sixty four.2mpg, which compares to 56.5mpg from the regular A6 two. TDI design. For comparable cash to the Ultra’s £32,835 beginning value, you can have a BMW 520d that provides a ideal of 62.8mpg, or the Mercedes E220 CDI supplying sixty one.4mpg. The C02 figure is also down to 114g/km (from 132g/km compared to a non-Extremely 2. TDI), so assume this fleet special to be hanging off a rear bumper along a motorway around you soon.
What’s it like to travel?
It really is as docile and benign to travel as it seems to be. In fact, much more so. Invest time in the A6 Ultra, and even right after a couple of times that doughy, inconsistent throttle and twin-clutch combo will have you heading for the MMI controller to sharpen the throttle and steering. Though, when we did that, we discovered that it was presently in ‘Dynamic’ Which is even with the Ultra’s extra 15lb ft of torque being unfold above a broader rev selection than the typical diesel’s, with 295lb ft on faucet from the exact same 1750rpm but lasting a 500rpm longer to hold on till 3000rpm. Commendably, it matches the standard car’s 8.2sec -62mph dash.
But the Extremely lacks composure: you need to direct the steering together motorways, in which the A6′s path of travel is ruffled. The Ultra’s sturdy factors, although, are its refinement, and the experience is pretty good too, dismissing bumps instantly and getting on with the display. The steering is predictably numb, and the cabin just as predictably Place-Shuttle-limited and well completed. Being the Extremely, you get twist dials on the sprint for air-conditioning, not the normal digital temp of the local climate handle.
What about eco garb?
The instrument panels will feed you ‘helpful’ eco tips, and demonstrate when the trick alternator is charging (only under braking or on the overrun) so for a whilst you happen to be far more careful with your inputs. We managed 47mpg on a generate from Farnborough to London, and from London to Peterborough managed forty two.4mpg in accordance to the excursion computer (yes, not always accurate). Luckily, the Extremely just isn’t loaded with green stickers and stripes and other garbage: you can not inform it really is the most inexpensive A6 to operate by hunting or sitting in it, with delicate badging the only clue.
Verdict
The A6 Ultra has an amazing established of quantities, from its record cost, mpg, C02 and spec. It truly is not especially entertaining or satisfying to generate, and that hesitant transmission and lumpy throttle make it incapable of spontaneous response to gaps in traffic. There is a guide transmission option arriving afterwards this yr, which will fix that foible in phrases of drivability, introducing to what is a nicely-created, serene motorway cruiser that has affordable space. It truly is not a vehicle to scream about from the rooftops, but does a commendable work of mixing frugality and convenience. Drivers require not use.
