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New Car/Review
Audi A6 2.7T Quattro (2000)

Audi

SEE ALSO: Audi Buyer's Guide

By Matt/Bob Hagin

Audi Full Line Video footage (6:39)

SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price $ 38,550
Price As Tested $ 49,195
Engine Type Bi-Turbo DOHC 30-valve 2.7 Liter V6 w/SMFI*
Engine Size 163 cid/2671 cc
Horsepower 250 @ 5800 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 258 @ 1850 RPM
Wheelbase/Width/Length 108.7"/76.1"/192.0"
Transmission Six-speed manual
Curb Weight 3787 pounds
Fuel Capacity 18.5 gallons
Tires (F/R) 215/55R16 all season
Brakes (F/R) Disc (ABS)/disc (ABS)
Drive Train Front-engine/all-wheel-drive
Vehicle Type Five-passenger/four-door
Domestic Content N/A
Coefficient of Drag (Cd.) N/A

PERFORMANCE

EPA Economy, miles per gallon
city/highway/average
17/24/21
0-60 MPH 6.5 seconds
1/4 (E.T.) 15.0 seconds @ 93.5 mph
Top speed (electronically limited) 130 mph

** Sequential multi-port fuel injection

(Matt Hagin tested the original Audi Quattro back in '84 and was suitably impressed with its all-weather roadability. Bob Hagin still marvels at Audi's early use of a five-cylinder engine to powered it.)

BOB - Matt, that first Quattro we had was really fast and almost as impressive was its ability to stick to the pavement. It was the first mass-produced, all-wheel drive passenger car in the U.S. And this newest version of the updated Quattro is even more unique. The Quattro system in the 2000 A6 2.7T is the company's fourth generation all-wheel-drive system and while the driving of all four wheels is now available in a multitude of cars being sold in this country, it still isn't commonplace. The Audi system uses front and rear locking differentials to apply power to the wheels with the most traction, while pulling it away from the wheels with less "bite." In addition to those "lockers" on the front and rear drive axles, there's a limited-slip center differential to control power running from front to rear.

MATT - The V6 engine in our test car is designed around cylinder heads that each have dual overhead cams, three intake valves and two exhaust valves for each cylinder and a variable camshaft timing system that provides good torque at relatively low engine RPM. It's fitted with a pair of small turbochargers which spool up quickly to allow it to jump from zero to 60 in just over six seconds. The engine is an adaptation of Audi's 2.8 liter naturally-aspirated, non-turboed V6 found in the more docile A6 models. Audi engineers dropped the displacement a bit because additional internal cooling was needed. They did this by thickening up the cylinder walls, thus decreasing its displacement. Those turbos jump the power of the 2.7T to 250 horses from the 200 found in the standard 2.8 liter version. And the difference is very noticeable.

BOB - Being a devoted stick-shift fan, I was happy to see that our test car' had a slick six-speed manual transmission. It's really a delight to use and the company even went so far as to put a syncromesh system on the reverse gear. This makes it easier to slip the tranny into reverse. There's also a five-speed automatic transmission available on the car and it's equipped with what Audi calls its Tiptronic gear selection system. With Tiptronic, the driver can use the transmission like a "normal" automatic, or shift it up and down almost like a stick-shift when the gear shift handle is moved into a special slot.

MATT - This car has all the upscale items you like to see in a classy road car. Things like standard four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock brake system are standard. The car feels solidly planted on the road, and an optional Sport Package on our test car helped in that area but it carries a pretty stiff price tag of $750. The package includes tighter, more form-fitting front seats and better handling tires with fancy alloy rims. Of course our tester came with the works which included Xenon high discharge headlights, a Bose stereo system with a trunk-mounted six disc changer and a very handy navigation system that helps drivers avoid getting lost. But using the navigation system requires a little boning-up with the instruction manual before the driver can get it down pat.

BOB - Our car had some other handy items, too. Side window curtain- type air bags protect front and rear occupants and could be a life-saver. Optional warm and cold weather packages make the driving experience more comfortable. The warm weather package includes a solar-sensitive sunroof that engages the ventilation system to cool the interior when it's sitting in the hot sun. It also has side window shades and a powered shade on the back window. I would have liked to try the acoustic parking system but I didn't get the chance. This device has sensors in the rear bumper to monitor how close you are to things that are behind the car. This car has more money invested in fancy options hen I paid for the vehicle that I drive every day.

MATT - Dad, that's obvious and someday Mom's going to make you sell off all your "rolling-wounded" vehicles and settle for something that was at least built in the last decade.