Audi A6 2.7 T Quattro sedan draws from twin turbos for power
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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CARMEL VALLEY, Calif. -- Carmel Valley Road points inland from the California coastal highway south of Monterey, meandering through a broad valley etched between golden hills that eventually close to form deep canyons crinkled on the edges and dark with shadows. A blacktop route traces these canyon curves while climbing in a series of switchbacks through tightly wound corners to reach lofty headlands of the valley, along the way forging a driving route which shocks the suspension and tempers the spirit of any vehicle steered up the path.
During our recent wheel trials on Carmel Valley Road, we steered the elegant A6 sedan by Audi of Germany in a souped up new edition for the 2000 line that packs twin turbo-chargers in the engine and puts six forward shift points in the manual gearbox.
Labeled the 2.7 T, this variation for the mid-size touring car from Audi tips decidedly to the sporty side of automotive performance while still maintaining a high content of luxury features in a plush cabin.
It also contains a permanently engaged all-wheel-drive system -- dubbed Quattro in the lingo of Audi -- that automatically shifts the majority of all engine torque to whichever wheels attain the best traction.
Combine the claw-like grip of Quattro traction with independent suspension components and the exuberance of bi-turbo power, and the driving experience turns into raw excitement on a warped route like Carmel Valley Road.
Crank the wheel to the right, then quickly to the left, then again to the right around one after the other tight corner through the canyon and this particular A6, settling low against the road and hanging hard through each curve, scratches out a controlled line at a quick clip with its 16-inch tires rarely squealing.
The engine, with only a hint of lag from the turbos as they spool up so much pent energy, boils with the excesses of exuberance, so much so that through the canyon run we used the brake pedal almost as much as the accelerator.
Set it on a straightaway, though, and this thing flies.
It's so quick -- zero to sixty miles per hour six flat, with the quarter-mile mark coming in 14.7 seconds but the speed limited electronically to 130 mph.
The unique bi-turbo V6, which also shows up in Audi's S4 compact sports sedan, produces 250 hp.
Two turbo-chargers -- one for each of the two cylinder banks -- take up less space than a single large unit. The small size of each turbine means faster response from accelerator pressure to firing time and higher torque at lower engine speeds.
An intercooler on each set of cylinders chills incoming air, which increases the density of the air and thus the amount of oxygen in that air. More oxygen in a given volume of air creates more fire power in the combustion process that ultimately moves the pistons and drives the wheels.
All torque generated by the bi-turbo engine filters through a six-speed manual transmission outfitted with sporty gear ratios.
As a no-charge option, Audi's sophisticated five-speed automatic transmission borrowed from Porsche with Tiptronic quick-flick shift control, is also available.
Adding the 2.7-liter turbo V6 as an engine option for the A6 luxury sedan represents the third power variation for Audi's mid-size cars, which fit in size between extremes of the compact A4 class and the full-size A8 sedan.
The A6 2.8 remains the staple in this series, stocking a 2.8-liter V6 with belt-driven dual overhead cams, five valves per cylinder and variable intake valve timing. It produces up to 200 hp at 6000 rpm, with a broad torque band peaking to 207 lb-ft at 3200 rpm.
As a new grand touring option, the A6 4.2 sedan uses the 4.2-liter dual cam V8 out of flagship A8. It creates as much as 300 hp at 6200 rpm and torque flat at 295 lb-ft in a band between 3000 and 4000 rpm.
The all-wheel-drive Quattro system applies to both the A6 2.7 T and the A6 4.2, but it may be installed optionally on the base A6 2.8.
Further, a five-speed manual transmission may be added to the 2.8 Quattro, yet only the 2.7 T gets the choice of a six-speed stick, which sets up something rarely found in the realm of luxury touring sedans: A sporty performance car.
All three of the A6 sedans present a visual statement of strength and style from an exterior design which in profile amounts to a graceful arc from tip to tail across a bowed roofline supported by thin pillars, with flared wheel arches emphasizing the crescent theme.
&&& In front, flush-mounted bumpers and a prow scored by the horizontal grille and headlamps covered by polycarbonate lenses establishes the sleek aerodynamic styling lines, followed by a raked hood sweeping up to initiate the arch. In back, the rear window slopes almost to the trailing edge of a spoiler lip, which ends with a sheer cascade to an integrated body-color bumper that wraps the rear.
Beneath the sleek skin, a unibody structure builds on innovations of lightweight aluminum components, as pioneered by Audi in the A8 flagship. Door frames, bumper mounts, driver's frame module, side-impact beams in doors and the front hood: All are composed of aluminum -- stamped, extruded or sheeted -- in a complicated system which increases rigidity and also pares weight dramatically to boost fuel economy.
The rigid structure has energy-absorbing crumple zones fore and aft of a steel safety cage ringing the passenger compartment. Dual frontal air bags and height-adjustable front three-point safety belts are in place, along with side-impact air bags in outboard edges of front seatbacks. Side air bags for rear seats and air pillows that spread along the side windows are new safety options.
The Quattro suspension, independent at all corners and with a compact double wishbone arrangement at the rear that consumes less cargo space, sets up a compliant and forgiving ride quality which, in European touring tradition, encourages an active style of driving.
Inside, all A6 sedans provide seats for five in a spacious cabin loaded with luxurious appointments.
Three different interior environments are offered, each with accents in polished aluminum and several color choices plus seats clad in cloth, leatherette or leather. One design theme uses dark walnut wood with muted colors in the style of a classic touring car; another brings bold colors in Mediterranean tones with light sycamore wood trim, while the third scheme reflects warm earth tones underscored by polished burled walnut.
Pricing for the A6 sedan fleet extends through a range of figures from $34,000 to $52,000, with the 2.7 T starting at $38,550 plus $525 added for delivery.
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| 2000 AUDI A6-27T VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size luxury sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size luxury sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
108.7 inches
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| Overall Length: |
192.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.8-L V6
DOHC 2.7-L V6 bi-turbo
DOHC 4.2-L V8
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| Transmission: |
Manual/6, Auto/5 Tiptronic
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| Drive: |
Front, all-wheel-drive Quattro
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
2.7-L M/6: 17/24 mpg
2.7-L A/5: 17/24 mpg
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| MSRP Price: |
$ 34,000 to $ 52,000 |
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