Audi launches new combustion-powered A6 Avant to sit alongside electric e-tron models
Not to be confused with the electric Audi A6 Avant e-tron
Alphanumerical car names can be a bit confusing for car buyers at the best of times, but when a carmaker trips up over its own nomenclature, what are we to think?
Audi is a case in point: its large estate car, which rivals the BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate, was initially expected to be dubbed the A7 Avant, as the German carmaker said it had decided to reserve even numbers for electric vehicles. That resulted in the combustion-powered A4 Avant being re-labelled the A5 Avant in its latest guise. But with its larger petrol- and diesel-powered sibling now being revealed as the A6 Avant, retaining its former moniker, it seems the reclassifying strategy has already hit a bump in the road — the electric variants will receive A6 Avant e-tron badging.
And it gets even more confusing. Although the new A6 Avant comes with combustion and electric powertrain options, the two versions are based on different underpinnings, known as “platforms”.
Smoother design
The two A6s get noticeably different bodywork, too, with the new internal combustion engine (ice) versions featuring bigger headlights and a bigger grille, as well as different bumpers and a different bootlid design.
That said, the ice A6 Avants follow the e-tron model in that they get a smoother and less angular look than their immediate predecessors, with the more rounded shape supposedly offering improved aerodynamic efficiency. In fact, Audi says this is the most aerodynamic A6 Avant to use petrol and diesel power.
And like the new e-tron, the A6 Avant gets greater emphasis on lighting technology than its predecessor. When the car goes on sale in the UK in April, it will come with LED daytime running lights as standard, offering owners the chance to customise the light signature to one of seven different options.
Screen-festooned interior
It also gets a very similar dashboard layout to the A6 Avant e-tron, with Audi’s latest-generation touchscreen and digital instrument cluster fitted in one massive, curved housing. The Edition 1 models available at launch will complement that with a passenger display on the left-hand side, while a head-up display will also be in the offing as part of the optional Sound and Vision Pack.
The ice- and battery-powered A6 Avants will share similar amounts of luggage space, too, with the petrol and diesel cars offering up to 503 litres of boot space with all five seats in use. That’s almost exactly the same amount as the A6 Avant e-tron, but the combustion-powered car pulls ahead slightly when the back seats – which fold individually – are tucked away. Then, the A6 Avant’s 1,534-litre luggage space outstrips the electric model’s 1,422 litres.
However, the e-tron models have a 27-litre front luggage compartment, whereas the ice A6s have … well, an engine in the engine bay.
One petrol and one diesel option from launch
At launch, just the two options are coming to the UK, both of which are 2-litre, four-cylinder engines with 201bhp and an automatic gearbox.
The petrol option is expected to be the base model, driving the front wheels alone and producing up to 251lb ft of torque (twisting force), while the diesel variant gets fuel-saving mild-hybrid technology, Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system and a meatier 295lb ft of torque.
As a result, the diesel will accelerate much faster than its petrol-powered counterpart, eclipsing its 8.3-second dash to 62mph with a 0-62mph time of seven seconds flat. But the petrol engine offers a slightly greater top speed of 149mph (as opposed to 148mph).
We are expecting other engine options to surface in the coming months, but for now, just the two will come to the UK.
Three types of suspension
That means there are more suspension options for British customers than engine options, with three different set-ups available.
The standard suspension is designed to be more comfortable than its predecessor, whereas the Sports suspension that’s standard on S line and Edition 1 models sits 20mm lower. Finally, the adaptive air suspension that’s available across the range is designed to offer different settings so the driver can set the suspension up to suit the situation and road conditions.
And with reworked steering and torque vectoring, which brakes the wheels on the inside of a corner to enable sharper turns, the A6 is apparently sportier to drive than ever before.
Pricing and on sale date
In the UK, the order books will open on April 1, with customers able to specify Sport, S line and Edition 1 models.
Sport models start at £52,510 and come with 18in alloys, four-zone climate control and leather seats, as well as a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control and the navigation and digital instrument cluster in the curved housing.
Moving up to the S line takes the price to £55,310 and adds 19in alloys, sports suspension and sportier styling, not to mention black roof lining, a sports steering wheel and privacy glass.
Finally, the Edition 1 will cost £60,210 and gets 20in alloy wheels, black exterior trim and red brake callipers, as well as extra safety technology, part-microfibre upholstery and the passenger display as standard.
Related articles
- If you were interested in the new Audi A6 Avant, you might like to read our review of the also-new Audi S5
- And we also have a review of the Audi Q6 e-tron
- Or you might also like to read our review of the BMW M3 Touring
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