At some point during their evolution, wagons stopped
being just utilitarian and started to become aspirational vehicles too. Audi is one of the automakers we
have to thank for the cool wagons of today. The 2019 Audi A6 Avant is one of
the finest wagons of our days: it’s luxurious, sleek-looking, and practical at
the same time.
It looks sportier than its predecessor thanks to the
more muscular wheel arches, short overhangs, and the roofline than gently
slopes towards the rear end.
Audi has also
confirmed the engine lineup of its new big wagon. In Europe, the A6 Avant will
launch with three turbocharged units. The entry-level power plant is a
2.0-liter TDI with 204 PS, labeled as A6 Avant 40 TDI. Next up is a
3.0-liter TDI V6 with 231 PS, which you’ll recognize by the 45 TDI
quattro badge. Finally, another 3.0-liter TDI rated at 286 PS will top
the range as the 50 TDI quattro.
The four-cylinder unit is mated to a seven-speed S
tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the six-cylinder engines are
hooked to an eight-speed tiptronic torque-converter auto. V6 models also get
standard quattro all-wheel drive (optional on the 2.0 TDI) and a self-locking
center differential.
Available for the 3.0 TDI models is a sport
differential that actively distributes the torque between the rear wheels
during sporty cornering. The most economical model is the base A6 Avant 40 TDI,
with a claimed average fuel economy of 4.9-4.5 l/100 km and corresponding CO2
emissions of 129-119 g/km (according to NEDC).
The increased fuel efficiency is partly due to the
mild-hybrid technology (MHEV) fitted as standard to all engines. With the V6
units, MHEV operates with 48 volts, while the four-cylinder engine uses a
12-volt electrical system. In real-world driving, Audi claims the mild-hybrid
system helps reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7 l/100 km, thanks in part to a
coasting function that deactivates the engine at speeds between 55 and 160 km/h. Later on, Audi will introduce gasoline engines as well, including the
45 TFSI 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 245 PS.
There is a choice of four suspension setups
available: the standard steel-spring suspension, sport suspension, suspension
with damper control, and adaptive air suspension. A dynamic-all-wheel steering
system is optional, helping reduce the 4.94-meter long A6 Avant’s
turning circle by as much as one meter to 11.1 meters.
Rear-wheel steering also makes the big wagon more agile on winding roads and
more stable when changing lanes at high speeds.
The new A6 Avant is already available to order in
Europe in standard, sport and design trim levels. Prices in Germany start from
€ 51,650 for the base 40 TDI model. The most expensive version
is the 50 TDI quattro in design grade, which retails from € 62,850.
