The Audi RS6 is one of the most practical daily drivers with a ridiculous performance from the factory. A little-known company known as Tuneotronics tuned the RS6 to stage 3 to produce 1000hp and some pretty quick drag times pushing the performance to stupendous levels. However, if you are an average Joe who aspires to own one of those station wagons, your best bet is a used Audi A6 3.0 TDI like the one we reviewed with a Stage 3 setup and 400hp for good company.
If you had a glance at this Audi A6, you should be excused to think it is like any other Audi A6 with typical dad car appeal which may be a good thing for an elder gentleman like our host (sorry Bhavneet) and also opens an opportunity for you to smoke some cool cars when they weren’t careful who they were messing with. But, a closer peek at the wheels would show 355mm discs and 2 2-piston caliper setup which significantly increases the stopping power which is needed for a car which produces an insane power output like this. There have been no aesthetic upgrades for the front but the back has S6 styled diffuser and a subtle lip spoiler which would make you hate to see her go but love to see her leave.
What seems like an unassuming engine bay is heavily worked upon with the help of an Upgraded Air Intake as well as a full exhaust system with a resonator and a muffler. The turbo is a custom-made unit from TOT and specifically tuned for midrange and top end which makes the A6 an ideal Petrolhead’s Diesel Daily because of the linearity. Other upgrades include better Injectors and an upgraded Intercooler as well as an upgraded Fuel Pump for better power delivery concerning fueling. There are a lot of changes from Gen 1 to Gen 2 3.0 litre TDI such as the timing chain bits used to be made by cheap plastics which are now metal making it a more robust timing chain system which makes it an overall more reliable engine block than a 3.0 litre TDI found in our host’s Audi A4 3.0l TDI.
The Audi A6 has become one of the best steals for cheap luxury and potent performance. In its stock form, you get a car which is extremely respectable in terms of power delivery and offers a really nice interior for less than Rs. 15 lakhs for a mint-conditioned model. The interior is rather simple but with exquisite material, it brings a mature edge to the table with typical quality one would associate if they were buying an Audi. The leather is showing stretch marks for its age but is still pretty supple in a lot of places. In terms of tech, the owner opted for an aftermarket unit which operates similarly to Audi’s MMI system and adds all of the functionality of a modern infotainment system. The steering wheel is a S Line affair with a flat bottom design. Overall, it is a really easy way to use the features on the inside as most of the buttons fall in the ideal places where you would expect them. Shall We Drive?
Audi A6 is known for comfort and even this tune stays true to its definition. It isn’t a neck-snapping, flabbergasting affair. Rather, it is a linear affair with plenty of juice left to explore just on a tap. At no point will you feel scared of utilizing power from the motor. In all honesty, the A6 makes you feel what a car should be! It doesn’t need to be the quickest but the most versatile which is a job that the A6 handles beautifully. The nice roads reward you with a really good pickup but put it on the bad road and the air suspension soaks the bumps well and keeps you planted in the corners. Due to its age, body roll is to be expected and the A6 tries its best to shield you to give you more confidence the next time.
The DL501 is really good at handling the 850nm of torque with a TCU tune. The transmission is very linear which is unlikely to most DCTs on the market and not too snappy that you feel something is wrong. It doesn’t feel intrusive, unlike modern DCTs which is a really good thing which allows you to thrash the car at your whims and fancies but allows to make you a better driver in the long run.
It is important to note that Building a 3.0 litre TDI is a very expensive thought but if your parents hand down a cheque for buying an A6, look no further! It is one of the most reliable cars with a really smooth power curve which tempts normal buyers. Add to that, the upgrades from TOT will only improve the experience and potentially eliminate reliability hiccups as they are a reputed tuner and the A6 is just scratching the surface.
