The new Audi A6 Avant
Audi is adding a new chapter to the success story of the Avant: the new Audi A6 Avant represents a unique blend of design and dynamism, driving pleasure and functionality. With countless innovations, a high standard of comfort and luxurious equipment, the Audi A6 Avant is poised to extend its lead within its competitive field.


The new Audi A6 Avant will open for UK ordering during the first quarter of 2005, and first deliveries will commence in spring 2005.

Here is a car that features notable design unity: measuring 4.93 metres in length, 1.86 metres in width, and 1.46 metres in height, the new Audi A6 Avant visibly sets a new standard. The lines of the car combine the clear architecture typical of Audi with other core elements of the brand's progressive design.

The already classic proportions of the Avant's silhouette, with its high shoulder line, narrow window area, coupé-like roofline and flat, sloping tail end, have been infused with a new degree of tension: the contours of the gently rising, curved shoulder line and the powerful, sweeping motion of the dynamic line above the side sills give the entire body of the car a forward-moving, tapered appearance.

This impression is even more dominant than on the saloon, because the basic proportions of the A6 Avant are lent that extra forward urge as a result of the rising dynamic line. The optical centre of gravity of the vehicle body is clearly forward of the rear axle, thus giving the tail end a lighter appearance.

The decidedly horizontal design of the rearward structure, with the two-section rear lights curving well in towards the centre, gives the vehicle an air of sturdiness and stability. The basic proportions and the design of the lights clearly indicate the blood ties with two other recent additions to Audi's range of five-door versions: the A4 Avant and the A3 Sportback.

A glance at the front end, with the trapezoidal-shape single-frame radiator grille, reveals the A6 Avant to be a member of the latest generation of Audi models. The latest lighting technology is visible behind the clear glass covers of the headlights: as an option, the new A6 Avant is available with dynamic adaptive light technology incorporating high-intensity xenon plus light units and daytime running lights.

Inside the new A6 Avant, it is also obvious at first glance that this is a brand-new model generation. The high, wide centre console, for example, with controls and switches within perfect reach, emphasises the sporty interior architecture that integrates the driver as the central player.

Sporty design and perfect ergonomics – these are the features that characterise the driving area. A joint cover at the top connects the instrument cluster and the upper part of the centre console, which is turned slightly towards the driver, to form one common unit.

The instrument cluster: the round coolant temperature and fuel gauges are located inside the newly designed, teardrop-shaped surrounds, next to the two large rev counter and speedometer dials.

The A6 Avant likewise features the new generation of Audi steering wheels. As a characteristic feature of the three and four-spoke steering wheels, the single-frame trapezoid with the four Audi rings is cited on the central airbag cap. Its oval exterior geometry likewise picks up on the shape of the single-frame grille.

Engines and transmissions

The new Audi A6 Avant will be launched with a choice of no fewer than five engines installed longitudinally – three petrol and two TDI power units. All these engines share a level of power and torque that is outstanding in this segment of the market:
  • 4.2 V8 developing 246 kW (335 bhp), 420 Newton-metres
  • 3.2 V6 FSI developing 188 kW (255 bhp), 330 Newton-metres
  • 2.4 V6 developing 130 kW (177 bhp), 230 Newton-metres
  • 3.0 V6 TDI developing 165 kW (225 bhp), 450 Newton-metres
  • 2.7 V6 TDI developing 132 kW (180 bhp), 380 Newton-metres
All engines comply with the limits of the EU4 emission standard. A diesel particulate filter can in addition be ordered as an option for the TDI engines.

The six and eight-cylinder power units come from Audi's new V-engine family. Their highlights in design and construction are the 90° cylinder angle and a distance of 90 millimetres between the cylinders, compact dimensions, maintenance-free camshaft drive via a chain and low-friction roller-arm valve drive.

Driving dynamics and ride comfort

The Equipment

Even with the standard specification, the new Audi A6 Avant comes with a level of equipment by no means usual even in the luxury class. And this superiority is immediately borne out by the use of premium materials and the perfect quality of finish.

MMI - Multi Media Interface

The integrated user interface which goes by the name of Multi Media Interface MMI is unparalleled by anything on offer from the competition. This infotainment platform and control concept on the new A6 Avant combines the advantages of simple operation, a perfect position and consistent operating logic.

With MMI having already set the standard in the luxury-class Audi A8, it is now continuing its story of success in the executive segment. As in the Audi A6 saloon before it, the system is available in three different configurations: as MMI basic (standard), MMI basic plus, and MMI.

The Audi A6 Avant comes as standard with MMI basic, featuring the terminal, a 6.5-inch monochrome display, as well as an integrated radio and single-disc CD player. Music output is via a 2x20 Watt amplifier and four loudspeakers in the front doors. Like all radios, the basic system comes with speed-dependent volume control and, thanks to the diversity aerial, excellent radio reception. As well as the radio functions and the broadcasting of traffic information, numerous vehicle functions such as the air conditioning and interior light configuration can be controlled via MMI basic, as on the Audi A8.

On MMI basic plus, available as an optional extra, the radio system of MMI basic can be further upgraded with extra components. A TP memory, for example, is able to record traffic messages lasting up to four minutes. Over and above the basic unit, MMI basic plus comes with a sound system incorporating a total of 10 loudspeakers (three-way combinations at the front and two-way combinations at the rear).

MMI basic plus can also be combined with a CD-based navigation system featuring optical destination guidance using arrow pictograms and additional text information in the driver information system presented exactly in the driver's line of vision. The system also indicates the route acoustically to the driver. Route planning takes all information provided by TMC traffic radio messaging into account.

Fitted as an option with the full range of features, MMI comes with a 7-inch colour monitor in the new Audi A6 Avant. In addition to the high-quality audio system already featured with MMI basic plus, a double tuner and a six-disc CD changer are included in the radio system.

Yet a further option also available in combination with MMI and MMI basic plus is the all-new BOSE surround sound system, no less than five amplifier channels distributing sound around the listener like in a concert hall – and in the process creating an experience in sound which sets new standards even in the supreme luxury range. The BOSE system provides an equalizer function that adapts the sound output to the speed-dependent level of background noise in the vehicle.

As on the A8, MMI can also be supplied with DVD navigation. A DVD provides more than ten times the storage capacity of a conventional CD ROM, coupled with a noticeably faster access time. This kind of capacity is able to cover not only the route directions for one country but almost the entire Western European road network on one single data carrier, relieving the driver of the annoying job of changing the CD when crossing borders.

A further advantage is that the navigation system calculates the route much more swiftly than on CD-based systems. This is particularly noticeable during map loading and when using the zoom function. This allows a flowing zooming in and out and enables the map to be moved in all four directions. As an alternative, the navigation system can also be operated using voice control.

Adaptive Cruise Control

As on the Audi A8, the new A6 Avant, and parallel the saloon, comes as an option with an intelligent "travelling companion": second generation radar-aided adaptive cruise control that automatically maintains the right distance from the vehicle ahead. Supplementing the optional cruise control function, this system significantly enhances driving convenience by automatically controlling the speed of the car relative to the vehicle ahead and the distance chosen.

A new feature in the latest generation of adaptive cruise control is the fact that the angle recorded by the sensor has doubled, clearly improving the detection range especially on winding country roads. And for the first time, the system can be combined with manual gearboxes.

Hidden discreetly out of sight, the system sensor is fitted behind the trim grille on the coolant air intake. While the car is on the move, it emits radar signals that determine how far ahead the next vehicle is. A computer then establishes whether that distance is increasing or decreasing based on the change compared with the previous measurement, and adjusts the car's own speed correspondingly by manipulating the accelerator or the brakes.

The Audi development engineers have deliberately limited the intensity of possible acceleration and that of brake intervention and very definitely designed the distance control as a convenience system. The adaptive cruise control system is configured such that when another vehicle that is travelling at a completely different speed is approached, the driver is alerted both visually and acoustically to the need for a conscious, situation-appropriate response. The speed range used by the system is between 30 and 200 km/h.

Exemplary safety as standard

The safety equipment featured as standard in the new-generation A6 is equally impressive. Active safety benefits from the latest-generation ESP with extended features, trailer oscillation logic, emergency braking signalling and considerably enhanced understeering control. ESP with these additional functions is also available on the saloon version.

The emergency braking signalling function alerts vehicles following on behind to potential hazards if the brakes are applied hard.

The trailer oscillation logic identifies dangerous swinging of the trailer and automatically applies the brakes to stabilise the outfit. The understeering control function has also been optimised: when the vehicle understeers, the system no longer brakes just the two wheels on the inside of the bend; the brakes are applied to individual or even to all four wheels simultaneously, depending on the situation. This reduces the radius of the curve and the vehicle is kept reliably on track.

In the event of a collision the car's occupants are effectively protected by the robust structure of the body with predefined deformation and a highly stable passenger cell. And in conjunction with the seat belts, the front and side airbags as well as the sideguard head airbag system, which covers virtually the entire side window area, afford superior safety and protection for the driver and passengers. Crash tests performed by Audi in accordance with the Euro NCAP criteria confirm that the Avant and the saloon offer the highest standards of occupant protection.

The two full-size front airbags are activated in two stages, depending on the severity of the accident. Active front head restraints fitted as standard help to protect the occupants in a collision from behind.

new Audi A6 Avant comes as standard with 7x16 inch alloy wheels, running on 205/60 R16 tyres. The particularly high-performance six-cylinder versions (from 132 kW upwards) have forged size 7.5x16-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 tyres, whereas the 4.2 eight-cylinder version comes with 17-inch wheels and 225/50 tyres as standard.

As an option the new Audi A6 Avant is available with a choice of ten different versions of wheel up to 18 inches in diameter and running on tyres up to 245/45 R18. Even in winter, the A6 driver has the choice of three wheel designs of up to 7x17 inches in size and running on 225/50 tyres.

All new Audi A6 Avant models come as standard with the Audi tyre mobility system, but may also be fitted with a spare wheel as an option.

The electromechanical parking brake as well as a light and rain sensor including coming home/leaving home function are further standard fitments.

Another standard feature on all A6 models in the range is two-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning – comprising separate controls for the driver and front passenger – with enhanced output and optimised acoustics, a virtue that cannot be taken for granted even in this segment. Recirculated-air and pollen filters and a sun sensor assure maximum climate comfort. The occupants' well-being can be further enhanced by the option of deluxe automatic air conditioning plus with indirect ventilation, air humidity and air quality sensors and extended climate control of the rear compartment via air vents in the B-posts.