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Heroes don't come much more unsung than the Audi A6. Despite its many qualities, it has always played bridesmaid to the more popular A4 here in Singapore. All that could probably change though, with the A6 now available with a 2.0-litre Turbo FSI engine.

The Audi A6's sleek and muscular shape has always been an admirable sight. Now with an entry-level 2.0-litre Turbo FSI engine (also seen in the Volkswagen Golf GTI), it's becoming even more appealing. It brings power, space and drive together, making it even more attractive than the mainstream players.

Inside the A6

The all-black theme exudes a certain degree of black opulence that will not date even after its COE lifespan ceases. By far, Audi has successfully matched the silver trimmings together with the black interior. And try knocking hard on all the plastic interior bits - you'll be surprised to find the high quality plastics used in here that will surely impress anyone who has a keen eye for details.

Open the boot of the A6 and strange things will start to happen. Look deep inside the carpeted black hole and you might feel yourself being slowly pulled in. In fact, you don't physically put your golf bags into the car - you simply stand close to the rear bumper, and a vortex will just suck it off your shoulder and straight into the boot.

Ok, exaggeration aside, the boot space is just huge! It has a whooping luggage capacity of 546 litres.

On the road

It's the now renowned 1,984cc Turbo FSI unit that powers the A6. Together with the 7-speed Multitronic transmission, it produces a hearty 170bhp @ 4,300rpm. The century sprint is achieved in only 8.7 seconds, making the A6 still faster than the BMW 523i (9.3 seconds) and the Mercedes-Benz E200 (9.4 seconds).

Storming down the expressway, you can leave the Continuously Variable Multitronic Transmission in "D" and let everything else run on its own. Or if you feel the urge to play Le-Mans racer, just swap to the 7-speed tiptronic mode and have all the fun you want.

It picks up speed coherently from standstill, and does it very well. Be it the gridlocks of Orchard Road or just driving down the expressway - there's no problem keeping up with traffic. Power on tap can be felt from as low as 1,800 rpm.

There's one minor hitch though - when you suddenly floor the accelerator while in motion, you will notice how it can take a while for it to get into the right gear and bring the engine to your right foot's command.

Ride quality is definitely on the firm side. However, it's reasonably compliant and the suspension does a good job of soaking up large bumps without throwing the A6 off line. On twisty roads, the mid-range thrust gave a significant advantage to execute overtaking manoeuvre, especially on the exit of tight corners. At highway speeds, road and wind noise are kept at a bare minimum.

Sum up

This Audi A6 2.0T is honestly, a fantastic proposition. It is roomy, comfy and powerful, and also has the right sophisticated image. The A6 also provides a driving experience that's rare in this segment - well controlled and supple enough to make everyday driving a wonderful experience.

Technical Specification

Engine: 4 cylinders in-line, DOHC, Turbocharged 1,984 cc
Power: 170bhp @ 4,300rpm
Torque: 280Nm @ 4,200rpm
Transmission: 7-speed multitronic
0-100km/h: 8.7 seconds

Length / Width / Height: 4,916 / 1,855 / 1,459 mm
Wheelbase: 2,843 mm

Price: $172,300

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