A new Audi A6 allroad has been unveiled, the fifth generation of this off-road-themed estate car based on the A6 Avant. It will be offered in plug-in-hybrid guise from the start and bridges the gap between the regular Audi A6 wagon and the German firm's range of Q-branded SUVs.
It looks quite beefy
Audi's designers have clearly sought to make the A6 allroad stand out from the A6 Avant, where the previous generation did not. A distinctive dark finish for the side sills, wheelarch extensions and front and rear bumpers is emphasised by a considerable increase in width.
The A6 allroad is 111mm wider than the standard Audi A6, giving it a much meatier appearance, more akin to an RS model's design.
Same could be said about the distinctive upright-hexagonal honeycomb motif used in the radiator grille and air vents. The dark appearance can be optionally changed by buyers that prefer a brighter, contrast finish.
The allroad marries its extra girth with chunky off-road detailing, too, including underbody protection front and rear, and it has usefully more ground clearance than any other Audi A6, sitting 34mm higher off the ground in its default driving settings.
So it has variable ride height?
Yes, thanks to the standard-fit adaptive air suspension. Choose one of the two 'offroad' driving modes from the Audi drive select system and ground clearance is increased by a further 15mm, while there's another 20mm increase available at speeds of below 35km/h for particularly tricky terrain.
Neatly, ride height, pitch and roll angles, plus the steering angle, can all be shown on the head-up display (if fitted) or on the central touchscreen.
At the other end of the scale, the air suspension reduces the ride height from the default setting by 20mm at speeds of over 120km/h (or if you've selected the 'dynamic' driving mode) to lower the centre of gravity and reduce aerodynamic drag.
Air suspension also allows for automatic self-levelling of course, which is great when towing a big load, and the diesel version of the A6 allroad is rated for up to 2,500kg, some 400kg more than the equivalent A6 Avant can manage.
Talk us through the engine options
Although not yet confirmed for the Irish market, a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine is one of the two launch powertrains, and this is one of the most electrically assisted diesels yet thanks to its mild-hybrid tech. It features a belt alternator starter, 'powertrain generator' (electric motor) and even an electrically driven compressor in place of a traditional turbocharger.
This setup produces up to 299hp and 580Nm of torque, while using 5.8-6.4 litres/100km of fuel. Its 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds is partially down to the responsiveness of the electric turbo, and of course the standard use of quattro four-wheel drive. All cars have S tronic automatic gearboxes, too.
The other powertrain we know about at this stage is a plug-in-hybrid setup called 'e-hybrid'. This pairs a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with a powerful electric motor for system maximums of 367hp and 500Nm. Its 0-100km/h time is 5.5 seconds.
Just as importantly, the A6 allroad e-hybrid gets a big 25.9kWh drive battery, of which 20.7kWh is usable energy, resulting in an electric WLTP range of up to 95 kilometres on a charge. And 11kW AC charging is possible.
While the e-hybrid's towing rating is lower than the diesel's, at 2,000kg, it does get all-wheel steering as standard.
Is the A6 allroad practical inside?
Well the e-hybrid does lose some boot space because of the battery packaged underneath. Its luggage capacity is quoted as 404 litres while the diesel model accommodates up to 466 litres with the rear seats in use.
An electric tailgate is standard, as is a 40:20:40 split for the back seats, while a sturdy roof basket is offered as an accessory.
The rest of the cabin is pretty much as found in the Audi A6 Avant, with a strong focus on digital technology and the option of a passenger-side touchscreen up front.
Highlights include the option to upgrade the standard seats and choose from a selection of coloured design themes, as Audi seeks to offer buyers more personalisation than before.
How much is the new Audi A6 allroad in Ireland?
So far, Audi Ireland has only commented on the e-hybrid version, which indicates the diesel may not be offered to Irish buyers at all. The A6 allroad e-hybrid quattro will start at €88,150 and order books open this month.