17:12 27-11-2025

Audi’s 3.0-liter V6 TDI: mild-hybrid, HVO-ready, e-compressor

Audi is doubling down on diesel development with a new 3.0‑liter V6 TDI, already available for the Q5 and A6. The engine has been comprehensively overhauled: it now works as part of a mild-hybrid setup, employs an electric compressor, and can run on HVO—hydrotreated vegetable oil made from waste, including used cooking oil.

The engine itself delivers 295 hp and 580 Nm, while the MHEV system adds a further 24 hp and 230 Nm during acceleration and passing. Up to 25 kW can be recuperated under braking and fed back into an LFP battery. The headline innovation is the electric compressor: it eliminates turbo lag, assists the turbo at low revs, and trims fuel consumption. In everyday driving, that should make the powertrain feel crisper off the line without the familiar diesel pause.

According to Audi, the updated unit brings a clear jump in real-world pace: over the first 2.5 seconds of acceleration, the car covers roughly a car length more than previous diesel S models. Beyond the extra shove, running on HVO can reduce CO2 emissions by 70–95%. The emphasis on waste-derived fuel gives the upgrade a pragmatic edge.

The new V6 TDI, codenamed EA897evo4, is paired with quattro. All vehicles built in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm leave the factory with HVO in the tank. It’s a pointed message to the market: diesel remains in Audi’s lineup—now cleaner, more sophisticated, and notably more efficient.