This wouldn’t be an Audi without heavy doses of technology, and there’s plenty of high-tech in the drivetrain alone. The engine we drove is the new 3.0 liter diesel V6. The fuel delivery system uses a high-pressure common rail line and new-technology piezo injectors. Piezo injectors use ceramic crystals to which a voltage is applied to vary their structure. They permit injection of smaller and more precisely metered amounts of fuel at higher injection pressures. The engine uses an injection pressure of 1600 bar—reportedly the equivalent of a midsize car pressing down on an area the size of a fingernail. The result is 225 hp and a brawny 450 Nm from just off idle. Furthermore, it allows the A6 to beat stringent Euro-4 emissions standards without the need for a diesel particulate filter.

On the road, the diesel delivers powerful acceleration. The long-travel accelerator gives the driver full discretion in dispensing torque. Keep the pedal pressure light, and the A6 burbles pleasantly up to highway speed. We were even fooled into thinking that the car is slow. But if you need quick overtaking, there’s a huge reserve of acceleration available. Bury the pedal, and the A6 will rocket past other traffic, even on the highway. The factory quotes 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. Whether on the office run or on the drag strip, the diesel does it with a whisper.

The Audi/VW group’s innovative DSG clutchless-manual transmission hasn’t filtered up to the A6 line yet; instead, there’s a conventional six-speed automatic. It responds smartly and unobtrusively. If you want to change gears yourself, you can override the computer by toggling the gear level or pulling on shift paddles behind the steering wheel. Manual override is available any time, even in full-automatic Drive mode.

Underneath the sleek bodywork is a conventional steel chassis. With the diesel engine and all-wheel drive hardware, the Audi A6 tips the scales at a hefty 1625 kg. That makes it more luxury yacht than jetski. Despite the low-effort steering, it certainly doesn’t feel light on its feet. The heavy nose and all-wheel drive contribute to understeer. For quick overtaking, we usually had to toggle the automatic transmission down two gears.

On the plus side, the sedan shrugs off bumps and potholes, and feels as secure as a bank vault. It feels firmly planted no matter the road surface or weather condition. The Quattro all-wheel drive system automatically splits torque among all four wheels, ensuring positive traction even on treacherous surfaces. The system may exact a weight penalty, but few cars feel as confident driving up to Tagaytay on slick, wet roads. Braking is similarly confident, with a firm pedal.

With its restrained styling and relatively obscure badge, the Audi A6 is not for everyone. With its insipid chassis, the 3.0 TDi version is not for the sporty driver either. But for anyone who wants an elegantly designed, all-weather sedan than returns double digits in fuel mileage, this one should be the prime candidate.

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