Audi has unveiled the A6 Avant estate version of the new A6 saloon that launched last month.
Like the saloon, the design objective has been to make the A6 Avant look lower and longer than the model it replaces. Featuring Audi’s latest XXL-sized trapezoidal grille and blistered wheel arches, there are hints of previous RS 6 models in the design.
In reality, the car is only 1cm longer and 2cm wider than before, and barely 6mm taller, but by increasing the wheelbase and reducing the overhangs at either end, Audi has been able to free up more interior space – especially for rear-seat passengers.
Comforts galore, mainly at extra cost
An electric tailgate is standard, although being able to open it by waving your foot under the rear bumper will cost extra. A luggage compartment rail system allows owners to adjust four variable lashing points to secure objects. A tensioning strap, a net and two hooks are also included and an additional load-securing kit with telescopic bar and strap can also be added at extra cost to divide the luggage compartment into two sections.
The A6 Avant comes with the same package of safety systems announced for the new A6 saloon. Three headlight formats are available, the most sophisticated being matrix LED headlights, recognisable by five horizontal lines that form the daytime running light signature.
Upgraded tail lights with a special light signature made up of a single horizontal line and nine vertical segments for each unit are available. When unlocking and locking the doors, they initiate a pulsing light show sequence that will presumably impress your neighbours (or at least their kids).
Inside there is an ambient lighting package as standard, which can be upgraded at extra cost to offer adjustable shades of light to make you feel right at home.
There are various driver assist systems available at extra cost, divided into “City assist” and “Tour” packs. The City assist pack includes features such as the new crossing assist system, while the Tour pack offers adaptive cruise assist, which supplements the adaptive cruise control by means of gentle steering intervention to keep the vehicle in its lane.
Efficiency assist, also part of the Tour pack, promotes an economical driving style, predictively factoring in speed limits, bends, roundabouts and – if route guidance is active – turnings as part of the cruise control function and also providing haptic feedback via the active throttle pedal.
Power is provided by four and six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, all featuring Audi’s latest mild hybrid technology (MHEV). This enables engine-off coasting at speeds of between 34mph and 99mph to conserve fuel, and an enhanced start-stop system that is active from 13mph.
Automatic transmission only; two- or four-wheel drive
UK specifications are still to be announced, but all versions of the new A6 Avant will be equipped with one of two different automatic transmissions. All-wheel-drive will be a standard or optional feature depending on model. A sport differential that actively distributes power between the rear wheels when cornering at speed will also be available at additional cost.
Four suspension set-ups will be available. Standard will be conventional steel spring suspension, with optional sport suspension, suspension with damper control and adaptive air suspension available depending on your comfort/handling preferences and the depth of your pockets.
Unsurprisingly, the cabin is almost exactly the same as the A6 saloon for driver and passengers. The majority of operating functions are controlled by two large displays. Infotainment and navigation are managed from the top display, which measures nine or ten inches depending on specification.
The lower eight-inch display is used for climate control and convenience functions. The digital Audi Virtual Cockpit with its 12-inch high-resolution LCD screen is an extra-cost option, as is a full-colour heads-up display.
The optional ‘MMI navigation plus’ is the top-spec infotainment system for the new A6 Avant. Its data transfer module supports the LTE Advanced standard and incorporates a WiFi hotspot. The navigation system uses Personal route assist to recognise the driver’s preferences based on previous journeys and generates intelligent suggestions from this information.
The Audi connect portfolio offers numerous online services, including the optional Audi connect key, which allows the driver to lock and unlock the new A6 Avant via an Android smartphone app. Other options also include the Audi Phone Box supporting telephony with Voice-over-LTE protocol, and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Two specifications will be offered in the UK; Sport and S Line. Pricing and specification details will be announced closer to order books opening this summer.
