The latest generation of Europe’s favourite station wagon, Audi A6 Avant MY 2012 has been unveiled by the German car maker.
This handsome estate is more technical than ever featuring a lightweight body largely made of aluminum, increased space and a superb interior, and a wide array of assistance and multimedia systems in an all-in-one package called Audi Connect.
The car comes with a choice of six engines, two petrol and four diesel including the new 3.0 TDI with twin-turbo technology and 230 kW (313 hp). The power range between 130 kW (177 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp)., while the most economical version is the 2.0 TDI with averagefuel consumption of just 5.0 liters of fuel per 100 km (47.04 US mpg). The most powerful gasoline engine in the model series is the supercharged 3.0 TFSI producing 220 kW (300 hp), and the most powerful diesel the 3.0 TDI with 230 kW (313 hp).
Depending on the engine it can be had with either a six-speed manual or the sporty seven-speed S tronic, while Quattro AWD system is available as an option.
Audi A6 Avant 2012 measures 4.93 meters (16.17 ft) in length and with a curb weight of just 1,640 kilograms (3,615.58 lb), offers 565 liters (19.95 cu ft) cargo space, which can be increased to 1,680 liters (59.33 cu ft) by folding down the rear seat backs. The split rear seat backs can be easily folded down using the remote seat back release on the sides of the trunk to increase luggage capacity to 1,680 liters (59.33 cu ft). Lashing eyes, side restraining straps, bag hooks, a double cargo floor, a rail luggage fixing system, a dirt-resistant tray and roof rails are standard.
The body of the A6 Avant is roughly 30 kilograms (66.14 lb) lighter than that of the previous model. Depending on the engine, the complete car is as much as 70 kilograms (154.32 lb) lighter than the previous model.
Audi offers additional details as options – a load-through hatch, a fixing set that uses the two standard rails in the cargo floor, and a power rear hatch with an integrated power luggage compartment cover. Making its debut in the Audi A6 Avant is the gesture-based control of the power hatch in combination with the convenience key. If the driver stands behind the car and makes a specific movement with his or her foot, two sensors open the hatch.
The accessories program includes many special features for transporting sports and recreational equipment, from a partition grille to a bicycle rack. The new large Avant is a powerful towing vehicle, with a rated towing capacity of 2,100 kilograms (4,629.71 lb).
Inside the fancy cabin you get lots of high-end options including head-up display, adaptive light with variable headlight range control, front seats with ventilation and massage function, and numerous infotainment components. Topping the range of infotainment options are the hard drive-based navigation system MMI navigation plus and the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System.
Audi connect, a fully fledged Internet connection, also places the new Audi A6 Avant at the head of the pack. In collaboration with Google, it brings special online services to the car, including voice-controlled points of interest (POI) search. A Wi-Fi hotspot allows passengers to surf and email freely while on the road. The Audi online traffic information service informs the driver in real time about how heavy traffic is on the selected route.
The new A6 Avant can be equipped with all of the brand’s assistance and safety systems for even more composed driving. Some systems work closely together with MMI navigation plus, further enhancing their capabilities. A new feature in the Audi lineup, the parking system plus with 360° display, will be available somewhat later. Four small cameras record images of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings.
The Audi A6 Avant will begin arriving in showrooms in key European markets in late summer with a base price of 40,850 euros. In a year or so Audi will launch the high performance RS6 Avant, the car that’s always been a benchmark in the sporty estate class.
