Audi A6

Audi A6: generations: what actually changed in the numbers

Version names are catalogue names. Same name + different hp or drive = different version.

1 generation (1994-06-01–1997-12-31, Sedan): 12 listed versions, all Gasoline, no Turbo. The slowest measured car in the whole set is 2.0 MT 101 hp FWD (12.9 s, 182 km/h, 13.32 kg/hp at 1345 kg). 1.8 MT 125 hp FWD does 11.2 s at 1325 kg versus 1.8 MT 125 hp AWD at 11.5 s and 1470 kg — AWD adds 145 kg and 0.3 s. 2.3 MT 133 hp is 57.6 hp/l; 2.0 MT 140 hp is 70.6 hp/l. 0–100, top speed and mixed consumption are not measured for both 2.0 MT 140 hp (FWD and AWD), both 2.0 AT 140 hp, 2.3 MT AWD, 2.3 AT AWD and 1.8 AT 125 hp AWD. Ground clearance 120 mm, tank 70 l where listed. Rear suspension is Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem on FWD cars and Independent, spring on AWD.

2 generation (1997-02-01–2002-01-31, Sedan): Turbo arrives. 1.8 MT 180 hp Turbo (101.1 hp/l) is 8.5 s versus 1.8 MT 125 hp without Turbo at 11.3 s — 55 hp buys 2.8 s. 1.8 AT 125 hp FWD is 13.1 s: the Automatic 4 costs 1.8 s versus 1.8 MT 125 hp FWD. 2.7 MT 230 hp AWD is 7.5 s at 1520 kg (6.61 kg/hp). Mixed consumption is not measured for several petrols including 1.8 MT 125 hp FWD and 2.7 MT 230 hp.

2 generation, restyling (2001-05-01–2004-10-31, Sedan): 2.7 MT 254 hp AWD is 6.2 s; 2.7 AT 254 hp AWD is 6.9 s — Automatic 5 costs 0.7 s and 55 kg (1740 vs 1795 kg). 2.4 AT 170 hp AWD is 11.1 s versus 2.4 MT 170 hp AWD at 9.4 s: 1.7 s for the Automatic 5. 3.0 MT 220 hp FWD (no Turbo) is 7.5 s at 1480 kg — lighter than later 3.0 diesels by hundreds of kilograms.

3 generation (2004-01-01–2009-01-31, Estate 5-door): diesel-only in the 12 listed rows. 2.0 MT 140 hp and 2.0 CVT 140 hp share 10.3 s and 1540 kg. 2.7 AT 180 hp AWD is 7.1 s versus 2.7 MT 180 hp AWD at 9.1 s — here Automatic 6 is 2.0 s quicker at the same 1815 kg. Tank 80 l (largest listed). Clearance 120 or 168 mm, not measured on 3.0 MT 224 hp AWD (7.3 s, 240 km/h, 1805 kg).

3 generation, restyling (2008-08-01–2011-01-31, Sedan): petrol V8 returns. 4.2 MT and 4.2 AT 350 hp AWD both 5.9 s and 1770 kg (5.06 kg/hp) — gearbox does not change 0–100 here. 2.8 MT 190 hp FWD is 8.2 s / 1550 kg versus AWD 8.4 s / 1640 kg (+90 kg, +0.2 s). Diesel 2.0 MT 170 hp is 8.9 s versus petrol 2.0 MT 170 hp Turbo at 8.4 s. Clearance is 130 or 168 mm on the same generation.

4 generation (2010-11-01–2015-03-31, Estate 5-door): first 650 Nm car in the set — 3.0 AT 313 hp AWD, 5.3 s, 6.17 kg/hp, 1930 kg. 2.0 MT 136 hp is 10.6 s and 12.61 kg/hp; 2.0 CVT 177 hp is 8.5 s. 3.0 S-tronic 204 hp AWD (7.2 s) versus 3.0 CVT 204 hp FWD (7.4 s) versus 3.0 MT 204 hp FWD (7.9 s): same 400 Nm, three gearboxes, 0.7 s spread. Clearance 130 or 165 mm.

4 generation, restyling (2014-10-01–2019-01-31, Estate 5-door): last listed Manual 6 petrol is 1.8 MT 190 hp (8.2 s, 1600 kg). 1.8 S-tronic 190 hp matches 8.2 s, uses 0.3 l/100 km less mixed (5.9 vs 6.2). 2.0 S-tronic 252 hp FWD is 6.9 s / 6.0 mixed; AWD is 6.7 s / 6.9 mixed — AWD is 0.2 s quicker and 0.9 l thirstier at +65 kg. 2.8 S-tronic 220 hp is the only listed No boost petrol six; mixed, kerb and gross are not measured. Diesel 2.0 MT 150 hp is 9.8 s versus 2.0 S-tronic 150 hp at 9.9 s — the robot is 0.1 s slower and 0.1 l/100 km better mixed.

5 generation (2018-03-01–2025-01-31, Estate 5-door): plug-in appears. 2.0 S-tronic 163 hp Diesel FWD is 9.5 s / 4.5 mixed / 117 g/km CO2. 2.0 S-tronic 204 hp Diesel AWD is 7.8 s and 4.6 mixed — 0.5 s and 0.3 l better than the 204 hp FWD (8.3 s, 4.9), at 15 kg less kerb (1770 vs 1785). 3.0 AT 286 hp AWD is 5.7 s at the same 5.9 mixed as 3.0 AT 231 hp (6.5 s): 55 hp and 120 Nm buy 0.8 s with no mixed-fuel penalty in these figures. 55 TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid quattro S tronic 367 hp matches 5.7 s at 2019 kg. 3.0 S-tronic 340 hp: mixed, kerb and CO2 not measured.

5 generation, restyling 1 (from 2023-06-01, stop not measured, Estate 5-door): two 35 TDI Mild Hybrid S tronic 163 hp FWD rows — 9.4 s / 5.3 mixed / 1705 kg versus 9.2 s / 6.1 mixed / 1640 kg. Two 40 TDI Mild Hybrid S tronic 204 hp FWD: 8.1 s / 5.4 / 1705 kg versus 7.9 s / 5.2 / 1640 kg. 55 TFSI V6 Mild Hybrid quattro S tronic 340 hp is 5.0 s (fastest measured 0–100 in the catalogue), 8.1 mixed, 5.40 kg/hp.

Engines and specs

Version names are catalogue names. Same name + different hp or drive = different version.

5 generation, restyling 1 (from 2023-06-01)

5 generation (2018-03-01–2025-01-31)

4 generation, restyling: 1.8 MT 190; 1.8 S-tronic 190; 2.0 S-tronic 249 AWD; 2.0 S-tronic 252 FWD; 2.0 S-tronic 252 AWD; 2.8 S-tronic 220 AWD (Gasoline, 6 V-shaped, No); 2.0 MT 150 / 2.0 S-tronic 150 / 2.0 MT 190 / 2.0 S-tronic 190 Diesel; 3.0 S-tronic 218 AWD; 3.0 DSG 218 FWD.

4 generation: 2.0 MT 136 / 2.0 CVT 136 / 2.0 MT 177 / 2.0 CVT 177 / 2.0 MT 190 / 2.0 S-tronic 190 Diesel; 3.0 S-tronic 245 AWD; 3.0 S-tronic 204 AWD; 3.0 CVT 204 FWD; 3.0 MT 204 FWD; 3.0 AT 313 AWD; 2.0 CVT 180 Gasoline.

3 generation, restyling: 4.2 MT / 4.2 AT 350 AWD; 2.0 MT 170 Gasoline; 2.8 MT 190 FWD and AWD; 2.8 AT 190 AWD; 2.0 MT / 2.0 CVT 136 Diesel; 2.0 MT / 2.0 CVT 170 Diesel; 2.7 CVT / 2.7 MT 190 Diesel.

3 generation: 2.0 MT / 2.0 CVT 140; 2.0 CVT / 2.0 MT 170; 2.5 AT 180 AWD; 2.7 AT 180 FWD; 2.7 MT 180 FWD and AWD; 2.7 CVT 180 FWD and AWD; 2.7 AT 180 AWD; 3.0 MT 224 AWD — all Diesel.

2 generation, restyling: 1.8 MT 150 FWD and AWD; 1.8 AT 150 AWD; 2.0 MT / 2.0 CVT 130; 2.4 MT 170 FWD; 2.4 MT / 2.4 AT 170 AWD (230 vs 300 Nm); 2.7 MT 250; 2.7 AT / 2.7 MT 254; 3.0 MT 220 FWD.

2 generation: 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 125 FWD; 1.8 MT 150 FWD and AWD; 1.8 AT 150 AWD; 1.8 MT 180 FWD and AWD; 2.4 MT 136 FWD; 2.4 MT 165 FWD and AWD; 2.4 AT 165 AWD; 2.7 MT 230.

1 generation: 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 140 FWD and AWD; 2.3 MT / 2.3 AT 133 AWD; 1.8 MT 125 FWD and AWD; 1.8 AT 125 AWD; 2.0 MT 101; 2.0 MT 115; 2.3 MT 133 FWD. All Gasoline, 4 Inline or 5 Inline, boost No.

Power per litre on listed cars: 2.0 MT 101 hp = 50.9 hp/l; 55 TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid quattro S tronic 367 hp / 1984 cc = 185.0 hp/l. 3.0 AT 313 hp / 2967 cc = 105.5 hp/l. 45 TFSI Mild Hybrid S tronic 265 / 1984 = 133.6 hp/l.

Performance and economy (mpg / l/100 km)

Fastest 0–100 measured: 55 TFSI V6 Mild Hybrid quattro S tronic 5.0 s. Next: 3.0 S-tronic 340 hp 5.1 s (5 generation); 3.0 AT 313 hp 5.3 s (4 generation); 50 TDI V6 Mild Hybrid quattro tiptronic 5.6 s; 3.0 AT 286 hp and 55 TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid quattro S tronic both 5.7 s; 4.2 MT / 4.2 AT 350 hp both 5.9 s. Slowest measured: 2.0 MT 101 hp 12.9 s.

AWD versus FWD at equal name and hp in 5 generation, restyling 1: 40 TDI Mild Hybrid quattro S tronic 204 hp 7.6 s vs 40 TDI Mild Hybrid S tronic 204 hp 8.1 s (0.5 s); the lighter FWD row is 7.9 s vs quattro 7.4 s (0.5 s again). 45 TFSI Mild Hybrid quattro S tronic 6.0 s vs FWD 6.7 s (0.7 s) for 60 kg (1705 vs 1645).

Lowest mixed Diesel in the listed set: 2.0 S-tronic 190 hp Diesel in 4 generation, restyling and 2.0 S-tronic 150 hp, both 4.4 l/100 km; 5 generation 2.0 S-tronic 163 hp Diesel 4.5. Plug-in mixed: 50 TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid quattro S tronic 1.5; 55 TFSI e 1.7 — city and highway not measured, CO2 not measured. Highest measured mixed: 2.7 MT 250 hp 11.6; 2.4 AT 170 hp 11.2. 3.0 S-tronic 340 hp (5 generation): mixed not measured. 2.8 S-tronic 220 hp: mixed not measured.

CO2: lowest listed 114 g/km (2.0 S-tronic 190 and 150 Diesel, 4 generation, restyling). 55 TFSI V6 Mild Hybrid quattro S tronic 179 g/km. Euro 6 on later cars; 2.0 S-tronic 190 hp Diesel in 5 generation is Euro 5; eco class not measured on 1 generation.

City/highway on restyling 1 diesels and petrols: not measured (mixed only).

Dimensions and weight

Kerb range in listed rows: 1.8 MT 125 hp FWD (2 generation) 1320 kg to 50 TFSI e / 55 TFSI e 2019 kg. Gross: 2.0 MT 101 hp 1895 kg to 55 TFSI e 2660 kg. Payload on 55 TFSI e: 2660 − 2019 = 641 kg; on 50 TDI V6 Mild Hybrid quattro tiptronic 2550 − 1890 = 660 kg.

Weight per hp (where kerb is measured): 4.2 MT 350 hp 5.06 kg/hp; 55 TFSI V6 Mild Hybrid quattro S tronic 5.40; 55 TFSI e 5.50; 2.0 MT 101 hp 13.32; 2.0 CVT 136 hp 12.68.

Ground clearance: 120 mm on 1 generation and 2 generation; 130 or 168 mm on 3 generation, restyling; 130 or 165 mm on 4 generation; 165 mm on 4 generation, restyling and on both plug-ins; not measured on most 5 generation and restyling 1 rows.

Tank: 80 l (3 generation Estate), 70 l (1–2 generation and 3 restyling Sedan), 65 l (4 generation), 63 l (most 5 generation), 52 l (both plug-ins). Wheels listed only on some 5 generation 2.0 S-tronic rows: 205/65 R17 through 255/35 R21; not measured on restyling 1 and on both TFSI e.

Front brakes: Ventilated disc across listed cars. Rear: Disc, Disc ventilated, as labelled.

Which version to choose

Buy a current Estate if you want the newest listed numbers. 5 generation, restyling 1 is the only generation with stop not measured. Pick 40 TDI Mild Hybrid S tronic 204 hp at 1640 kg if mixed 5.2 l/100 km and 7.9 s is enough: that is 65 kg lighter than the 1705 kg 8.1 s twin with the same name. Pay the AWD premium only if 0.5 s matters: 40 TDI Mild Hybrid quattro S tronic 7.4 s at 1705 kg, mixed 5.4, versus FWD 7.9 s / 5.2.

Buy V6 diesel if 400 Nm is not enough. 50 TDI V6 Mild Hybrid quattro tiptronic 286 hp / 620 Nm is 5.6 s versus 45 TDI V6 Mild Hybrid quattro S tronic 245 hp / 500 Nm at 6.2 s (lighter row, 1825 kg) or 6.4 s (1890 kg). Extra 41 hp and 120 Nm buy 0.6–0.8 s; mixed rises from 6.1 to 6.5. Versus 3.0 AT 286 hp in 5 generation (5.7 s, 1965 kg, 5.9 mixed): restyling 1 is 0.1 s quicker, 75 kg lighter, 0.6 l thirstier.

Buy petrol four if you want hp/l, not Nm. 45 TFSI Mild Hybrid S tronic 265 hp is 133.6 hp/l and 6.7 s FWD, 6.0 s AWD — quicker than 45 TDI 245 hp (6.2–6.4 s) despite 130 Nm less (370 vs 500). Mixed 6.9–7.3 versus diesel 6.1–6.4.

Buy plug-in only in 5 generation (not restyling 1 — none listed there). 50 TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid quattro S tronic 299 hp: 6.3 s, 1.5 mixed, 52 l tank, 2019 kg. 55 TFSI e 367 hp: same 5.7 s as 3.0 AT 286 hp diesel, 1.7 mixed, 68 hp more, 70 kg more than that diesel (2019 vs 1965), tank 11 l smaller (52 vs 63). City, highway, CO2, wheels, compression, bore/stroke, power rpm, torque rpm: not measured on both plug-ins.

Do not buy 163 hp diesel if 204 hp is on the same generation. 2.0 S-tronic 163 hp (5 generation) 9.5 s versus 204 hp FWD 8.3 s: 41 hp buys 1.2 s; mixed 4.5 vs 4.9. Restyling 1 35 TDI Mild Hybrid S tronic 9.2–9.4 s versus 40 TDI 7.9–8.1 s FWD: 1.3 s for 41 hp.

Used 4 generation, restyling if you want a Manual 6. 1.8 MT 190 hp 8.2 s / 1600 kg is the lightest 190 hp petrol listed there. Diesel 2.0 MT 190 hp 8.7 s / 4.5 mixed versus 2.0 S-tronic 190 hp 8.5 s / 4.4: 0.2 s and 0.1 l. Skip 2.0 S-tronic 150 hp (9.9 s, 11.5 kg/hp) unless 4.4 mixed is the only target.

Used 4 generation if 650 Nm is the point. 3.0 AT 313 hp AWD 5.3 s is 0.3 s quicker than later 3.0 AT 286 hp (5.7 s) and 0.3 s slower than restyling 1 55 TFSI V6 340 hp (5.0 s), at 1930 kg versus 1835 kg. 2.0 MT 136 hp (10.6 s) is the wrong used diesel if 2.0 MT 177 hp (9.0 s) or 2.0 MT 190 hp (8.7 s) exists in the same generation.

Used 3 generation, restyling for V8. 4.2 MT and 4.2 AT 350 hp both 5.9 s — gearbox is not the decision. Mixed 10.8 versus restyling 1 55 TFSI V6 8.1: 2.7 l/100 km more, 10 hp more, 65 kg less than that 1835 kg car (1770 kg).

Used 2 generation for Turbo 1.8. 1.8 MT 180 hp FWD 8.5 s at 1390 kg beats 1.8 MT 150 hp FWD 9.7 s by 1.2 s; AWD on 180 hp does not change 0–100 (still 8.5 s) but adds 90 kg (1480 vs 1390). Avoid 1.8 AT 125 hp (13.1 s) if 1.8 MT 125 hp (11.3 s) is available.

Used 1 generation only if 120 mm clearance and sub-1400 kg matter. 1.8 MT 125 hp FWD is the only row with full 0–100, top speed, mixed and kerb together (11.2 s, 200 km/h, 9.1, 1325 kg). 2.0 MT 101 hp is the worst kg/hp (13.32). Most 140 hp and 133 hp rows: 0–100 not measured.

Problems / reliability: this dataset has no failure rates, recalls or service costs. What it does show is weight and complexity proxies: plug-ins are the heaviest (2019 kg); 3 generation Estate has the largest tank (80 l) and the widest clearance split (120 vs 168 mm); 2.8 S-tronic 220 hp is the last listed naturally aspirated V6 in 4 generation, restyling with mixed and kerb not measured — you cannot compare economy to the Turbo fours beside it.

Arithmetic close: from 2.0 MT 101 hp (12.9 s) to 55 TFSI V6 Mild Hybrid quattro S tronic 340 hp (5.0 s) is 7.9 s. From 2.0 S-tronic 163 hp Diesel (9.5 s) to 2.0 S-tronic 204 hp AWD (7.8 s) is 1.7 s for 41 hp. From 3.0 AT 231 hp to 3.0 AT 286 hp is 0.8 s at identical 5.9 mixed and 1965 kg. That last comparison is the cleanest “what the extra output buys” row in the catalogue: 55 hp, 120 Nm, 0.8 s, no extra mixed litres in the measured figures.