2005 Audi A6 Review

Specifications

Larger, More Powerful and Definitely More Distinctive

Ive always taken a liking towards Audis lineup of Avant station wagons, probably because I grew up around them. My father owned two oddly-shaped specimens from Audis darker financial days, a mid 80s 5000 Avant and an early 90s 200 Quattro Avant, both of which were non-traditional in stature as they sported more of a fastback design than a conventional wagon. Even though these unique estate cars left our family, I cant help but smile when I catch a glimpse of a passing A4 or A6 Avant.

Although it hasnt arrived in North America yet, the new third generation A6 is making waves across Europe and Asia for its advancements in engine technology and driving performance. The timing for Ingolstadts new midsize entry couldnt be better, as the outgoing A6 faced an extremely competitive market segment dominated by the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series. To build up the range, and to prepare for its 2005 debut in North America, Audi will be introducing an all new Avant to the A6 lineup.

Following in suit with Audis other wagon offerings, namely the recently face-lifted A4 Avant and sharp new A3 Sportback, the A6 Avant offers style and functionality over the old model without giving up cargo carrying capacity. At 194.1 inches long, 73.2 inches wide and 57.5 inches tall, the A6 Avant is the largest and strongest station wagon that Audi offers with a structural rigidity 25 percent greater than the outgoing model.

However impressive these numbers are, they dont tell the whole story of the A6s transformation to Avant. Although the revised Avant is as wide and tall and is only a centimeter longer than its sedan counterpart, it features a wheelbase of 111.8 inches in length. This equates to a stretch of 3.2 inches over the sedan, a change compared with the previous generation A6 Avant. The extra length between the wheels is said to improve legroom and overall space for rear seat passengers as well as providing additional cargo space. Its a smarter and more style-conscious alternative than the typical oversized overhangs found on most wagons.

The new A6 Avant is styled similarly to the A6 sedan, which borrows the new corporate face initially featured on the 2003 Nuvolari sports coupe concept. Up front it offers a large, distinctive, single-frame front grille and narrow xenon-beam headlamps with adaptive forward lighting featuring beams that turn to illuminate the road head while cornering. The swooping, coupe-like roofline meets with a raked tailgate. Although its not as raked as with past Avants, it is far more gracefully penned than most conventionally upright wagon designs.

For the first time, Audi is offering the A6 with a motorized tailgate which opens and closes at the touch of a button on the key fob. With a loading bay width of 41.3 inches and a total cargo capacity of 19.95 cubic feet with the seatbacks up and 58.6 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded flat, the new A6 Avant is nothing short of cavernous. Compared to the outgoing model, it can carry 3.8 cubic feet more with the seats up and 2.5 cubic feet more when the seatbacks are down, a useful improvement.

Aside from the additional cargo space, the new Avant offers a matrix of systems which allow for the organization of the larger floor space. The Avant is equipped with a new rail system with four adjustable latch points which allow for nets of various sizes to be configured. In addition to this, the system also has a variety of attachments including straps and telescopic rods which can connect to hard cases, bicycle racks and storage boxes to tie down and accommodate bulky loads. Underneath the foldable faux floor is a rubberized, waterproof storage container designed for holding muddy, dirty or wet items such as boots. Detachable ski and snowboard bags are available as options.

New to both the A6 sedan and the A6 Avant for 2005 is an optional adaptive air suspension. First featured on the super-luxurious flagship A8 sedan, the system not only provides a desirable self-leveling function, ideal when carrying loads, but it constantly adjusts to road surfaces in order to provide a smooth and supple ride without compromising body control. Drivers can select from a variety of modes, which include the standard adaptive mode, a sport setting that lowers the ride by 0.6 inches, and a lift setting to give extra ground clearance. The adaptive suspension is controlled via Audis intuitive Multi Media Interface system.

Speaking of MMI, all A6 Avants will feature the system, which works much like BMWs iDrive interface albeit with fewer complaints from owners. The console-mounted rotary knob and buttons control stereo settings as well as the climate of the interior, which are then displayed on the dashboard-mounted 6.5-inch LCD screen. Buyers can upgrade the system to a 7.0-inch screen, a Bose 10-speaker surround sound system, satellite navigation with traffic alerts or DVD navigation.

Other driver aids available to A6 Avant buyers include adaptive cruise control which uses radar to maintain a safe distance from cars in front, an electro-mechanical parking brake, rain-sensing wipers, stability and traction control, understeer control and the new trailer oscillation logic which automatically applies the brakes on a trailer preventing it from swaying. Front side and window airbags are also standard equipment.

As for power, the large A6 Avant will be available with a host of gasoline and diesel engines, all in six or eight cylinder configurations. Base models in Europe will feature a 2.4-liter V6 that makes 177 horsepower, with middle range models, and base models in North America, being equipped with an all-new 3.2 liter V6 that features Audis famed direct injection FSI technology. At 255 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque, its an immense improvement over the current models 230 horsepower fare. To compete with the V8-powered competition, Audi will also offer a 335 horsepower 4.2-liter, DOHC, 40-valve V8 with 317 lb-ft of torque.

Two diesel powerplants will also be made available to the A6 Avant, at least in Europe with potential for North American sales after 2006 when new regulations set to clean up the quality of diesel fuel go into effect. These engines include a 225 horsepower3.0-liter V6 TDI with 332 lb-ft of torque and a 2.7 liter V6 TDI which features the advanced piezo injector system. The advanced diesels take common-rail technology one step further by allowing up to five separate injections of fuel into the cylinders per combustion cycle at a mind-bogglingly high pressure of 23,206 psi. Despite its small size, the 2.7 V6 TDI produces 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, making it capable of propelling the A6 Avant to 60 mph in just 8.2 seconds while returning a 40.3 mpg combined city and highway rating.

As previously mentioned only the 3.2-liter V6 FSI and the 4.2-liter V8 powerplants have been designated for the North American markets, each mated to a six-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox with manual mode, as well as Audis world-famous quattro all-wheel drive system.

It is predicted that when the A6 Avant makes its North American debut during spring 2005, that it will command a $2,500 to $3,000 premium over the A6 sedan. No matter the price, the new sport wagon will offer discriminating buyers refinement, advanced technology, and style, without compromising practicality. The A6 Avant will no doubt be a success around the globe allowing Audi to capture a greater percentage of the luxury sedan and wagon market.