Audi A6 TDI

What‘s it?
 Twenty years back, the notion that the diesel-powered car could ever seriously challenge an acknowledged, upper-echelon performance car on track would happen to be ridiculous. Now it’s learning to be a reality as this Audi A6 concept, another ‘diesel RS’ prototype to hitch the RS5 TDI concept we tested recently. Like its more powerful stablemate, the A6 TDI quattro concept is designed with a brand new electric compressor technology designed to banish turbo lag once and for many. This additional compressor takes the sort of a little supercharger, and that is driven using a 7kW, 48-volt electric motor. Diesel engines suffer lag badly when compared with petrol because their great efficiency leads to cooler exhaust gasses. There is consequently less energy open to spin a turbo, especially at lower revs. Unlike the RS5 TDI concept, the A6 TDI concept is equipped using the new 3. 0 TDI single-turbo engine coming from the standard A6. The electric compressor is installed downstream coming from the intercooler in series using the conventional turbocharger system.

At low revs the electric compressor fires up and reaches maximum speed in just 250 milliseconds, plugging the torque gap that causes lag. What‘s it like? We experienced a brief chance to test the A6 TDI concept back-to-back against a conventional 550bhp RS6, which uses a twin-turbocharged V8. Given by a standing start the instantaneous wall of torque developed from the 3. 0 TDI place the nose from the A6 concept ahead for a few hundred metres before the greater powerful car pulled away. The existing eight-speed torque converter automatic is a result of be replaced by a brand new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which should have a further improvement to response. 

Currently the single-turbo TDI produces a peak of 322bhp, and 479lb ft torque between 1500rpm and 3500rpm. The electric compressor’s job usually is to boost torque below 1500rpm, creating the slingshot response and proper RS get-up-and-go initial acceleration. Once the turbo comes on song, the electric compressor is effectively faraway from the intake system via a bypass valve. Exploiting that torque window and resisting the temptation to let revs climb too high is the simplest way to make rapid progress. Upon the twisting test track, this truck-like pulling power proved ideal, the A6 concept lunging eagerly from slow corners and proving satisfyingly flexible in between. Figures back in the subjective impressions, with acceleration from 37mph to 75mph in sixth gear improved from 13. 7 seconds to the standard car to 8. 3 seconds using the electric boosting.

The concept sounds good too, the typical extreme levels of refinement dialled back slightly allowing engine and exhaust to supply a satisfying growl. When the A6 concept lacks anything when it comes to sheer fun, it’s a chance to rev as a petrol engine using the spine-tingling rush that brings. Should I buy one? There aren‘t any official production plans to the A6 concept yet, but Audi is clear in regards to the fact It‘ll offer customers high performance diesels at some stage. The very first electric compressor is a result of enter production in a brand new SQ7 in 2016, complete with a brand new 48-volt electrical architecture running in parallel using the existing 12-volt system. Given the value and complexity of developing the new system, It‘s unlikely Audi stop there. Audi A6 TDI conceptPrice £79, 500 (est ) ; 0-62mph TBC ; Top speed TBC ; Economy TBC ; CO2 TBC ; Kerb weight 1720kg (standard A6 quattro ) ; Engine type, cc V6 2967cc V6 turbodiesel with electric boost, 2967cc ; Power 322bhp ; Torque 479lb ft at 1500 to 3500rpm ; Gearbox 8-speed Tiptronic Audi A6 TDI concept first drive review