The New Audi A6 All Road, at home on all roads and tracks

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The very first generation of the allroad quattro proved to be a great success for Audi. Based on the A6 Avant, the allroad has been the big Audi for any road and season since it was launched in 2000. Now its successor is ready to make its debut. The new A6 allroad quattro is more spacious, luxurious, distinctive and versatile than ever. Plus, of course, it fully lives up to its name by delivering even more dynamic power and handling, both on and off the road.

None of the premium-class competitors on the international stage have anything to rival the Audi A6 allroad quattro, whose independent concept is entirely the work of Audi. It is closely related to the A6 Avant and offers virtually the same level of commanding sporty performance. However, what makes the A6 allroad quattro so special is that it keeps going when the tarmac ends thanks to the off-road components it incorporates into the sporty concept of the Avant. This enables it to neatly bridge the divide between sporty elegance and striking versatility.

Design

The exterior design takes its cue from the expressive design language and lines of the Audi A6 Avant, producing a character steeped in timeless elegance and emotional sportiness. The dynamic contours, the stimulating finish of its surfaces and the almost coupé-like silhouette all help to set the tone, reinforced by the dynamic rise of the strong shoulder line, the low window strip and the gently sloping roof. At the same time, the bold off-road styling elements blend harmoniously into the overall picture.

The underride protector made of stainless steel is just one of these elements. The single-frame grille sports a modified look, with chrome strips adorning the vertical bars and a licence plate that now appears to float in mid-air. Further identifying features include the restyled bumpers and the larger exterior mirrors.

Front fog lights, a headlight washer system and a light and rain sensor are all included as standard. Seen from the side, sturdy door strips, made of aluminium on request, accentuate the dynamic line. The roof rails, also of aluminium, rest on four supports. The sill panelling conveys an impression of tremendous power, as do the flared wheel arches housing 17-inch or 18-inch wheels in three special designs.

At the rear, the A6 allroad quattro can be recognised by an underride protector made of stainless steel and an aluminium-look trim strip. If xenon plus headlights are chosen, an attractive LED unit for the brake and tail lights is incorporated into the rear light clusters.

The interior ambience too, with its fine lines and elegant forms and colours, offers supreme quality and harmonious aesthetics, an initial taste of which is provided by the new aluminium door sill trim. There is a choice of four interior colours which can be combined with six seat fabrics and five inlays.

Body

The new Audi A6 allroad quattro has a length of 4,934 millimetres, a wheelbase of 2,833 mm, a width of 1,862 mm and, depending on the setting of the adaptive air suspension, a height of 1,459 to 1,519 mm. Compared with its predecessor, the length has extended by 124 mm, the wheelbase by 76 mm and the width by 10 mm, enabling the driver and up to four passengers to enjoy lavish levels of spaciousness and seating comfort.

The Audi A6 allroad quattro is available exclusively with the Avant body version. The load area - whose storage capacity can be extended from 565 up to 1,660 litres by folding down the backrests - incorporates two securing rails. A highly versatile range of luggage compartment options, including a load-securing set, is available, as is an automatically opening and closing tailgate. Particularly long items can easily be accommodated thanks to the load-through hatch including ski bag. The standard adaptive air suspension with its integrated self-levelling function ensures a comfortable ride in the A6 allroad quattro.

The body has a composite construction featuring a high proportion of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel panels, plus lightweight aluminium components which reduce weight primarily at the front end. In the event of an accident, passengers are protected by a network of precisely matched sections. Two front airbags, side airbags in the front (in the rear too as an option) and the sideguard head airbag system are all permanently on standby. Audi backguard reduces the consequences of a rear-end collision.

The interior is distinguished by its exquisite finish and top levels of functionality. At the heart of the operating concept is the MMI terminal, which the driver can use to configure numerous convenience functions that can then be viewed on a monitor. Also on the list of standard equipment is an electromechanical parking brake which offers considerable practical benefits over conventional technology, not least because it opens up greater scope for the design of the centre console.

Drivetrain

The A6 allroad quattro comes with a choice of four powerful, longitudinally installed engines, comprising two petrol and two diesel models. All four are direct-injection units and belong to Audi's state-of-the-art family of V-engines.

FSI petrol direct injection is a hallmark technology of the Audi brand. Following numerous victories in the Audi R8 Le Mans racing car, it has now been introduced on a broad scale in standard production vehicles too. The 3.2 FSI develops 188 kW (255 bhp). The V6 engine's maximum torque is 330 Nm, available at 3,250 rpm. The new 4.2 FSI has even more power at the ready. The V8 with direct injection musters up 257 kW (350 bhp) and 440 Nm, the latter being on tap at 3,500 rpm.

Both V6 diesel engines combine superb efficiency with hefty pulling power and refined smoothness. The task of mixture preparation is handled by a latest-generation common rail system which propels the fuel into the combustion chambers at a pressure of up to 1,600 bar. The 2.7 TDI develops 132 kW (180 bhp) and 380 Nm.

Its maximum torque is available from just 1,400 rpm and remains constant up to 3,300 rpm. The 3.0 TDI delivers 450 Nm of torque to the crankshaft between 1,400 and 3,250 rpm, while maximum output has been increased compared to the A6 Avant to 171 kW (233 bhp).

quattro permanent four-wheel drive, featured as standard on all A6 allroad quattro models, has a decisive influence on driving characteristics. Its self-locking centre differential splits the drive torque variably between the front and rear axles. Generally, 50 percent goes to each but, if necessary, up to 75 percent of the power can be directed to either axle. On loose terrain the quattro drive provides excellent traction and on the road it ensures sporty agility, firm grip and maximum driving safety.

Chassis

The chassis of the A6 allroad quattro combines sporty handling with silky smooth comfort. Not only has the wheelbase been increased, the track width at the front is also up by 22 millimetres to 1,596 millimetres and at the rear it has been increased by 2 millimetres to 1,587 millimetres. In addition, weight distribution between the front and rear axles has been optimised. The chassis consists of a highly complex four-link front suspension - built primarily using aluminium components - with a self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear axle. The servotronic power steering, which is standard, provides variable power assistance according to vehicle speed

The electronically controlled adaptive air suspension, also a standard feature, adds another key dimension to the handling abilities. It allows the ride height of the body to be altered in four stages by up to 60 millimetres, both automatically - depending on road speed - and manually via the MMI terminal. The control unit also automatically adjusts the control characteristics of the adaptive shock absorbers to reflect the type of road surface and driving style.

The generous ground clearance of as much as 185 millimetres provides the Audi A6 allroad quattro with additional qualities off the beaten track, for instance on rough gravel roads or snow-covered mountain passes. As an option, 245/45 R 18 all-terrain tyres are available, together with a reinforced engine underguard.

The ESP stabilisation program has been enhanced to include special functions too. In "off-road" mode, for example, ESP intervention is delayed so that forward propulsion can take priority.

Equipment

In Germany, the 3.2 FSI is priced at €50,600, the 2.7 TDI costs €47,600 and the 3.0 TDI €50,600, with the TDI models both including a diesel particulate filter. When the new A6 allroad quattro first goes on sale, the two diesel models will be available immediately with the 6-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, as will the 3.2 FSI. The starting line-up will be joined shortly afterwards by 6-speed manual versions of the V6 petrol model and of the 3.0 TDI and by the 4.2 FSI model with tiptronic.

The Audi A6 allroad quattro comes with an equipment level which befits its premium status. The primary features of the A6 allroad quattro which predestine it for off-road use are the height-adjustable air suspension as standard, the rigid body and the robust off-road specifications such as the underbody guard and special ESP configuration. Active and sporty people will appreciate the versatile rail system in the luggage compartment and the aluminium roof rails. On-board comfort and convenience is ensured by the deluxe automatic air conditioning with separate temperature controls for the driver and front passenger and by the MMI basic operating system.

The 4.2 FSI with its powerful V8 engine runs on 18-inch wheels, housing ventilated front and rear brake discs. Its inlays gleam in Vavona wood assam grey; the inside door trims and seats are covered in leather. The front seats are electrically adjustable. An anti-theft alarm system, the driver information system, deluxe automatic air conditioning plus and a centre armrest at the front complete the luxurious standard equipment of this range-topping model.

The appealing luxury and high-tech extras available for the Audi A6 allroad quattro include the adaptive light dynamic cornering light system, the advanced key keyless access system, and the Audi parking system advanced parking aid - here the MMI monitor shows the image captured by the rear-view camera.

A Bluetooth interface for the telephone is available on request, as is a DVD navigation system, a surround-sound system from BOSE and sports seats.