Audi A6 3.0T Full Specs and Review

Two issues came up enough in our time with the new 2009 A6 3.0T that we just have to address them both right up front. The first is likely a no-brainer for our community, but the letter "T" doesn't necessarily stand for "turbocharger." Decades of tradition may have you believing otherwise but, well, deal with it. Or walk away shaking your head in confusion, just as we've seen a number of people do in the past week. In Audi-speak, "T" is now simply an indicator of any forced induction--in this case that means a supercharger. Our second note: people hear the word "supercharger" and expect that the next step after buckling up is to secure their eyeballs to ensure they don't slide out through their ears under full acceleration. The 'charger's intent in the A6 is to bridge the gap between V6 economy and a V8 powerband, not to disfigure passengers. With that established, we can move on.

The changes for the '09 A6 aren't limited to the engine compartment or the addition of the new 3.0T model. The car also receives a number of subtle visual updates that keep Audi's segment leader modern and competitive. Like the A8, the A6 now wears a grille that isn't divided in half by an unattractive bumper bar, but instead uses one taller piece that pays homage to the legendary Auto Union Le Mans racers. We're told this generation of A6 was already close to being finalized when the move toward the single shield was adopted, so that's why it didn't happen until this mid-cycle refresh. It gives the front end an even more cohesive look, and the rest of the bumper too has been refined to give an aggressive, flowing appearance. That look is topped off by Audi's signature strips of LED driving lights, with six diodes residing in each headlight lens. They aren't as elegant as the shapelier units of the A5/S5 or R8, but they are distinctive....Continued