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From YourSITE.com Reviews & Road Tests What you see here might just be the best compromise out there for those seeking the versatility of an SUV or minivan yet wanting the elegance of a fine motorcar and the performance of something sporting. The A6 Avant plays many roles while at the same time providing the latest technology in a rigid shell that’ll still haul five passengers and plenty of gear. Recently while in Italy, Fourtitude had a chance to take its first look at a European market A6 with the top-of-the line 4.2-liter V8 engine and de rigueur interior by Audi Exclusive.
Sedans outsell Avants by something like a 10:1 margin here, and when the Q7 goes on sale sometime next year, it too will have the 4.2 V8. It seems Audi is striving not to spend all their money on federalization, only to effectively cannibalize sales with another model. This also leaves money on the table for federalization of a possible next generation allroad or S6 Avant. The enthusiast in me that seeks instant gratification protests, though the businessman component understands their reservation fully. As it stands, the new A6 Avant will arrive on these shores with the aforementioned 255 hp 3.2-liter V6 mated to Audi’s capable new 6-speed Tiptronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. Having driven the 3.2 sedan, it is easily understood that the new V6 is no slouch. While earlier 2.8 and 3.0-powered models sometimes felt like they had a bit of an issue getting out of their own way, the 3.2 is capable if not gluttonously fast when you hit the accelerator. Adding to that capability, the chassis of the new A6 Avant has undergone some marked improvements that aren’t just on the surface. The car’s body is 25% stiffer than its predecessor, while the trapezoidal link rear suspension offers improved wheel travel, benefiting handling. The car’s footprint is also a bit larger, with 83mm added to the wheelbase, 72mm to the front track and 49mm added to the rear track. Visually the car is also more appealing, with a host of design improvements that are often overshadowed by the sometimes-controversial new corporate grille design. At the rear are handsome new taillights that, when the brake is applied, activate dual round shapes of light comprised of LEDs. It’s a handsome look that goes unnoticed if you only happen to catch the car at rest. Our test car came with Audi’s 17-inch “Victory” wheel design. This wheel will be optional as will the 18-inch 7-arm wheel also offered on the A6 sedan. The 16-inch standard alloy is a new 7-spoke design.
First seen in production on the A3 Sportback in Europe, the A6 gets a more streamlined look with roof rails that are designed to fit quite close to the roofline of the car. Gone is the less refined raised rail design that has served as added utility on virtually every wagon built by the Volkswagen Group.
Inside, the same interior that delights the senses in the A6 sedan is, not surprisingly, found in the Avant as well. Our particular test car had an optional (only in Europe - at least for now) Audi Exclusive interior that we’re told is identical in color to the Amaretto interior hue planned for North America as part of the Volterra leather option. Thanks to Audi Exlusive, the leather is handsomely applied to the seats and door panels as we’ll see on this side of the Pond. In addition, this European package also includes application of the leather to the center console, sweeping up the driver's side of the dashboard. The overall effect is one of the classiest interiors we’ve seen, and something one doesn’t expect when one thinks of the traditional station wagon. Each of the textures, from the soft leather to the burled wood or vibrant satin aluminum, delight both the eye and the fingertip and are mated to the A6's own benchmark switchgear – a total experience that is bound to bestow most Audi owners with a major interior fetish.
Open the rear gate of the Avant and you’re greeted by a sizable trunk space that’s almost 4 cubic feet larger than its predecessor. A new track-based cargo system seems unique and functional, and even better, it will be standard to North American customers along with four variable adjustable tie-down rings, a telescoping arm and attachment belt that all work with the system. Other accoutrements for the trunk include a dividing net and a 12-volt power outlet. Like the A4 Avant, the new A6 has a removable floor and beneath that a removable cargo tray.
Other standard equipment will be the motorized close feature for the rear gate, with memory height adjustment so that owners with short garages don’t go scuffing the up-hinged rear door of their expensive new A6. Simply bring the hatch to the preferred open position, either manually or automatically, and then press the button for 6-seconds and the system will store that height in its memory. If there’s a complaint about the trunk, it might only be the sleek coupe-like rake of the rear window. While it clearly makes for one of the best-looking exterior designs for a wagon on the market, it cuts into the upper space of the trunk area, to the chagrin of big dog owners or those looking to pack it to the gills. Still, space is generous, and the outward appearance of the car is the automotive equivalent of designer couture.
The standard equipment list goes on, from a tire pressure monitoring system, Audi’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) system with 7” color screen, 4-spoke multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth phone preparation, a 10-speaker DSP sound system with 6-disc CD changer and satellite radio preparation offering either XM or Sirius service, leather power seats, dual zone climate control and that’s just a short list of equipment it shares with the sedan. In addition, the Avant features a standard sunroof, heated front seats and the aforementioned trunk concept. North American A6 3.2 Avants will also be available with several option packages and stand alone options including: Premium Package - with adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights, BOSE Premium Surround Sound System, Auto dimming / folding exterior mirrors, Auto dimming interior mirror with compass, Memory for driver seat & mirrors, HomeLink, Storage package Technology Package (requires Premium Package) – Voice control for phone, CD, radio and navigation, Satellite Radio (XM or Sirius), Rear Parktronic, Advanced key, Audi DVD Navigation System S-line Package (late availability) – 19-inch wheels, sport suspension, bumpers Separate Options (stand alone) – Rear side airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, Ski sack, Volterra Premium Leather Upholstery, Sports seats (require Premium Leather), heated rear seats, Satellite Radio (XM or Sirius), Adaptive cruise control, Manual rear and rear side window sunshades, Audi DVD Navigation system, Wood segment multifunction steering wheel, Adaptive air suspension, Power opening / closing tailgate. Nine exterior colors will be available for North America. Metallic hues include Dakar Beige, Oyster Gray and Lightsilver. Unicolor tones include Brilliant Black and Arctic White, while Pearl Effect options include Canyon Red, Stratos Blue, Night Blue and Cambridge Green. Inside, buyers can chose Ebony, Platinum and Beige leathers or Amaretto that is only available with the Volterra leather option similar to our test car. Along with those, two different wood trims can be chosen, including Walnut or Beige Birch. Fire up the A6 4.2 Avant and you’re greeted with the ever-so-subtle rumble of Audi’s 4.2-liter V8 engine. Refined in over-all sound, it still has a more menacing note than the V6, though it’s a bit less sought-after with gas-prices lately rising into the stratosphere.
Out on the road, the A6’s taught handling is welcome, and not far off from North American cars we’ve driven. Our test car is fitted with Audi’s latest generation of air suspension, so perhaps it’s the spiritual successor to the allroad even if it doesn’t have the matte cladding of that car. Still, the flexibility of the suspension is what’s important, and a dynamic sport-mode combined with the option of raising the suspension for deep snow is pretty much all this driver would ever need. Sure, there are more comfortable settings, but on the curvy roads in this snow-covered area of the Alps, we’d need only two settings. Expect North American A6 Avants to begin arriving in August, 2005. Audi expects to sell 2,650 of the Avant per full calendar year - only 10% of total A6 volume. Prices will begin at $46,000 in the U.S.A. and $65,000 in Canada. In our minds, it seems the A6 continues to wave the non-SUV, non-minivan flag with authority. Its architecture and engine combine for a package high on driving dynamics while the handsome design gives it more sex appeal than a frumpy minivan or over-bearing SUV. Further, it seems Audi’s new A6 Avant is arriving just in time for the Ingolstadt-based car manufacturer. The new A6 sedan has won so many awards, Audi will need an Avant in order to carry home all the trophies.
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