New Audi A6 Avant unveiled with streamlined design but not a new name
Audi has officially debuted the all-new A6 Avant, complete with dynamic design, streamlined aerodynamics and petrol/diesel engines.
Arriving as the latest model in the Ingolstadt carmaker’s ongoing model offensive, the latest BMW 5 Series challenger was due to be rebranded as the A7, leaving the A6 moniker to the new e-tron all-electric executive line-up. But a last-minute change of plans on naming conventions, due to customer feedback, means the A6 brand lives on in ICE form too.
The Avant arrives first, due to be followed by the saloon in the coming weeks. Both are based on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, also used for the A5 – as the A4 successor – and the Q5 and featuring the E3 1.2 electronics architecture to deliver advanced connectivity, updates and digitalisation features in all new models.
Measuring 4,990mm long, the new A6 Avant is 60mm longer than the previous model. Boot space stands at 503 litres – with the standard 40:20:40 folding rear seats down, this increases to 1,534 litres. Adding to its versatility, a rail system, storage and luggage compartment package, and a partition net are also standard, along with an electric tailgate with foot motion operation.
The launch line-up opens for orders from 1 April and delivers two engine options – 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI – along with Sport, S Line and Edition 1 specifications.
The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine outputs 204hp with maximum torque of 340Nm. It’s equipped with a start-stop system and front-wheel drive as standard, coupled to a seven-speed S Tronic dual-clutch transmission. Prices start from £52,510.
The mild hybrid diesel is priced from £56,780 and delivers 204hp, along with maximum torque of 400Nm, and is fitted with a dual-clutch transmission and Quattro Ultra all-wheel drive as standard. It’s capable of 0-62mph in 7.0 seconds and 148mph. Efficiency figures haven’t been announced yet.
Further engines, including plug-in hybrids and a top-performance powertrain for the S6 and RS 6 models, are due later.
Three suspension setups are available for UK models. The standard suspension comes with Sport specification and is set up for more pronounced comfort than its predecessor. The Sports suspension, which lowers the body by 20mm, is fitted to S Line and Edition 1 specifications. Adaptive air suspension with electronically controlled damping is an optional extra across the range. All models come with reworked and now more direct steering.
Standard equipment on the entry level Sport models includes 18-inch five twin spoke wheels, LED headlights plus with matrix functionality, LED rear lights Pro, MMI navigation plus with 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit plus and 14.5-inch infotainment display, Audi sound system with 10 speakers, wireless phone charging and digital key. Sport models are priced from £52,510 for the petrol and £56,780 for the diesel.
S Line adds in 19-inch platinum grey alloys, Sport suspension, S Line exterior, front sports seats and stainless steel pedals and footrest, amongst others. S Line models are priced from £55,310 for the petrol and £59,580 for the diesel.
Edition 1 versions upgrade to 20-inch five-arm wheels in graphite grey, a black exterior package, exhaust-pipe in dark chrome, brake callipers in red and front sport seats in Dinamica/leather. They’re priced from £60,210 for the TFSI petrol and £64,480 for the TDI diesel.
The new A6 Avant uses Android Automotive OS as its operating system for the infotainment system, complete with over-the-air updates and various third-party apps, including Spotify, YouTube and news services, available from the Audi application store, which, like the smartphone interface, is standard.
A variety of driver assistance systems are fitted as standard, including a new ‘Drive and Park assistance package that includes adaptive cruise control, a speed limiter that responds to traffic signs, traffic sign recognition, a rear-view camera, and park assist plus. Other standard features include park assist plus with distance display, lane departure warning, cross-traffic assist, swerve assist, front turn assist, and the emergency brake assistant.
Options include a new switchable panoramic glass roof that allows the interior to either be flooded with light or effectively shaded, along with exclusive exterior colours, plus new interior and leather colours.
First deliveries of the new A6 Avant are due mid-June.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.
