Audi A6 3.0T quattro: Comparison against BMW 535i, Infiniti M45, Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E350

Extensive comparison test here of the Audi A6 3.0T quattro against the BMW 535i, the Infiniti M45, the Jaguar XF and the Mercedes-Benz E350. Any wonder which car scored first?

This Audi possesses a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Like the .44 Magnum tucked casually within Inspector Callahan’s Brooks Brothers blazer, this A6’s cannon is cleverly cached within the 90-degree V of the cylinder banks. It’s a Roots-type supercharger that, in concert with two intercoolers, forces the V-6 to cough up all 310 pound-feet of its torque at as low as 2500 rpm. And although we may be inveterate whiners, the V-6’s supercharger isn’t. Aurally invisible. The Audi tied the Benz for quietest idle to boot.

Throttle tip-in is deceptively gentle, but if you keep your right foot extended, there’s a contained explosion—your lucky day, punk—when the tach and speedo converge on 25. That’s when the A6 leaps like a startled ferret. Check out the 2.8-second 30-to-50-mph report. Even the two V-8–powered cars can’t match that. Thing is, it isn’t the quantity of power that so impresses as the ease with which it’s accessed.All-wheel drive requires extra hardware and weight, but we were incredulous that this was the heaviest car in the group. It feels ever light, nimble, agile, balanced, and willing. Much of the greatness can be credited to the steering, which surpasses the BMW’s because it is so much lighter—a boon in parking lots—and is also better at revealing road textures. Bonus kudos to the brakes, tied with the BMW’s for best feel.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi A6 3.0T quattro

Source: Car and Driver

Audi A6 3.0T quattro: Comparison against BMW 535i, Infiniti M45, Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E350

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