Performance Review: Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A6 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 W-Motors Lykan HyperSport 3.7L Twin Turbo.This particular Audi A6 has a 2967cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Diesel V6's includes the 2019 Audi A4 S4 TDI 3.0 V6

The A6 shares its Diesel V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Audi A4 S4 TDI 3.0 V6 and the 2016 Audi A6 3.0 TDI BiTurbo Quattro Tiptronic. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A6's All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1835 kgs (4045 lbs) this makes the Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro in the same weight category as the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A6 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2967cc 24V V6 engine produces 242 bhp (180 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo V6 throws out 428 lb-ft (580.2 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi A6 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (156.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A6.

The Audi A6 has a Power to weight ratio of 131.8 bhp per ton and 233.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 A6 competing with the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (156.8 bhp per ton) or the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 (156.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Audi A6 generating around 233.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 BMW 4 Series M4 (258.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2021 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition 3.0 Bi Turbo xDrive G80 (258.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro as fast as the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs). This Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A6 and the 1992 Renault Alpine A610 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Audi A6 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.59 secs @ 87.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Renault Alpine A610 3.0 V6 Turbo (15.52 secs), the 2011 Audi A7 3.0 TDI 310 (15.52 secs), and the 1952 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Spider (15.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 A6 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2012 A6 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison