Diesels, it would seem, are the new performance cars; now Audi has jumped on the multi-blower bandwagon with a twin-turbo version of the proven three-litre V6 TDI, due for South African release in the fourth quarter of 2012 in the A6 and A7 Sportback.
The new engine has a two-stage turbocharger group that delivers a maximum boost pressure of up to 3.2 bar, and Audi is quoting a muscular 230kW, available from 3900-4500rpm, and 650Nm anywhere between 1450 (that's barely off idle!) and 2800rpm.
That's good enough, it says, to blast the A6 sedan up to 100km/h in just more than five seconds and on to an (electronically limited) 250km/h - all at a claimed cost of only 6.5 litres per 100km and 169g/km of CO2, thanks to auto stop/start, energy recuperation and clever heat management to bring oil and coolant up to temperature as quickly as possible.
Audi also says this is not only the most powerful six-cylinder diesel yet from the Four Rings but also the sweetest sounding, all due to what Audi calls an actuator in the auxiliary channel of the exhaust system.
DEFINED OSCILLATION
It's actually a small, low-frequency speaker that overlays a defined oscillation pattern on the exhaust flow, according to the maker, making the engine sound more like a high-performance petrol V6 than a big-bore diesel.
The new BiTDI will slot in above the existing, single-turbo 150kW and 180kW versions of the three-litre V6 diesel in the A6 and A7 Sportback ranges. All 3.0 V6 BiTDI models will drive through an eight-speed tiptronic transmission to the latest-generation quattro all-wheel drive system with self-locking centre differential and torque vectoring.
A sport differential that distributes power in continuously variable proportions between the rear wheels will be an extra-cost option, sharpening response even further.
Prices, as always, when they get here, but let us leave you with a final thought: given the new BiTDI V6's huge torque spread, wouldn't you like to see this engine in a VW Amarok bakkie?