20 years of A6 Avant with offroad qualities: the new Audi A6 allroad quattro

20 years of A6 Avant with offroad qualities: the new Audi A6 allroad quattro
20 years of A6 Avant with offroad qualities: the new Audi A6 allroad quattro

20 years after its debut, the fourth generation of the Audi A6 allroad quattro is being launched. With the standard all-wheel drive, adaptive air suspension and increased ground clearance, it is just as much at home on the road as it is off. The powerful V6 TDI engines (Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.6 – 5.8*; Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 172 – 152*) offer ample pulling power for up to 2.5 tons of towing capacity. Thanks to its distinctive look and even more customized equipment options than the predecessor, the A6 allroad quattro appeals to customers that appreciate the combination of powerful design, extraordinary versatility and high comfort.

The Audi A6 allroad quattro: the big all-rounder from Audi

The A6 allroad quattro is now entering its fourth generation as it celebrates its 20th anniversary – Audi premiered this highly versatile variant of the Avant in 1999. It is at home both on and off the road and also offers ample pulling power. The standard all-wheel drive and adaptive air suspension with variable ground clearance make for enhanced off-road capabilities – yet it is just as dynamic as it is comfortable on the road. The distinctive look and extensive equipment round out the multifaceted talents of the A6 allroad quattro.

“Town, country, river” – extensive suspension features for on-road and off-road

The A6 allroad quattro body is up to 45 millimeters (1.8 in) higher than the A6 Avant. The ground clearance at standard ride height is 139 mm (5.5 in), underscoring its off-road qualities. The A6 allroad quattro is equally powerful when used as a towing vehicle – it can tow up to 2.5 tons.

The adaptive air suspension with controlled damping comes standard in the Audi A6 allroad quattro and was tuned specifically for the A6 allroad quattro to boost its off-road capabilities. It adjusts the ride height depending on the road speed and mode set in the Audi drive select system. In auto and comfort modes, the A6 allroad quattro sets off at standard ride height with a ground clearance of 139 mm (5.5 in), whichcan be actively adjusted with a speed-dependent control strategy. If the highest ride height is selected and the speed is max. 35 km/h (21.7 mph), the body is raised 45 mm (1.8 in). The body is lowered automatically when this speed is exceeded. At highway speeds above 120 km/h (74.6 mph), the ride height is lowered by 15 millimeters (0.6 in). If the A6 allroad quattro sets off in offroad mode, which covers speeds up to 80 km/h (49.7 mph), the body is 30 millimeters (1.2 in) higher than the standard ride height. Traveling at very slow speeds below 35 km/h (21.7 mph), lift mode adds another 15 millimeters (0.6 in), raising the ground clearance 45 millimeters (1.8 in) above the normal position.

In addition to the specially adapted suspension, the A6 allroad quattro offers additional comfort features including standard hill descent control and tilt angle assist that allow it to take off-road terrain in its stride. When negotiating light terrain, the driver can call up a display on the MMI monitor, which shows the current tilt angle in the longitudinal and transverse directions – where the vehicle is at risk of tipping over, a warning appears. On a steep slope the hill descent control limits the speed in the range of 2 to 30 km/h (1.2–18.6 mph) to a figure defined by the driver and brakes all four wheels selectively and individually as necessary. On loose surfaces the system provides an additional braking wedge in front of the wheel by using a special ABS brake function. In the Audi drive select offroad mode, all the relevant dynamic handling systems through to stabilization control are tailored to off-road conditions.

Distinctive character – striking design and model-specific look

The new A6 allroad quattro features an off-road look that is even more striking than on the predecessor model. This exterior and the individual, versatile interior solutions emphasize the new model’s strong character.

Special attachments on the body bring to life the robust charm of the new A6 allroad quattro. The wide, low Singleframe with its vertical aluminum struts dominates its front end. The blade and the underbody protection gleam with their aluminum-look finish. The allroad-specific roof rails mounted on bars and the window slot trims, the underbody protection as well as the diffuser trim and the band between the rear lights are finished in a choice of black or aluminum look. The wheel arch trims are finished in contrasting scandium gray as standard. They are available optionally in the body color or in gloss black. The contrasting sill trims on the sides come with allroad logos.

Two optional packages further hone the look: the aluminum exterior package and the black styling package with dark attachments and trim strips. The paint range for the new Audi A6 allroad quattro comprises eleven colors, including the new allroad-specific color gavial green, which takes its cue from the specific color of the first model in 1999.

The interior is available in three colors – black, pearl beige and okapi brown. The seats are upholstered as standard in black cloth and partial leather. Alternatively beige and brown tones as well as the stylish perforated Valcona leather grade are also available. Instead of the standard inlays in graphite gray fine paint finish, there are two wood variants and one in aluminum.

The allroad line makes the interior even more sophisticated. This option includes sport seats with upholstery made of an Alcantara/leather combination that combines two colors – petrol gray and black. Inlays and pedals made of aluminum, illuminated door sill trims with logo projection add further highlights. Optionally, the allroad line comes with many other interior decor variants – special color combinations, contrasting stitching and piping as well as decorative trims made of fine grain birch wood and the specific aluminum strip with subtle green color highlights, matching the exterior paint.

For discerning requirements – drive, suspension and equipment

The A6 allroad quattro targets a distinct customer group that appreciates the versatility of the allroad with its exclusive equipment lines and details, powerful six-cylinder engines and model-specific suspension tuning.

High torque for high pulling power – Audi offers the new A6 allroad quattro on European markets with a choice of three V6 TDI engines. All units generate their power from three liters of displacement and have been redesigned extensively compared with the predecessor model.

The 3.0 TDI is available in three output ratings. The first produces 170 kW (231 PS) and – from 1,750 to 3,250 rpm – 500 Nm (368.8 lb-ft) of torque, sufficient for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (0–62.1 mph) in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). The WLTP values correlate to an NEDC fuel consumption for the A6 allroad quattro 45 TDI of 5.9–5.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (39.9–40.6 US mpg)* (156-152 grams CO2 per kilometer (251.1–244.6 g/mi))*. In the A6 allroad quattro 50 TDI, the engine produces 210 kW (286 PS) and delivers 620 Nm (457.3 lb-ft) of torque between 2,250 and 3,000 rpm. The data: 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.9 seconds, top speed 250 km/h (155.3 mph)(regulated), fuel consumption of 5.9–5.8 liters per 100 kilometers (39.9–40.6 g/mi) (156–152 grams CO2 per kilometer (251.1–244.6 g/mi))*. The top-of-the-line engine in the new A6 allroad is the 3.0 TDI with 257 kW (349 hp) of power and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of torque between 2,500 and 3,100 rpm. It accelerates the A6 allroad quattro 55 TDI from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.2 seconds and consumes 6.6–6.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (35.6–36.8 g/mi)* 
(172–168 grams COper kilometer (276.8–270.4 g/mi)*.

The three TDI units transfer their power with an eight-speed tiptronic. The wheel-selective torque control is the ideal complement to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system that is also fitted standard. When driving at speed, it brakes the two wheels with reduced load on the inside of a bend slightly before they can begin to spin. The drive torque is redirected to the wheels with better traction as a result. As an option, the sport differential distributes the power infinitely variably between the rear wheels – this active torque vectoring provides the ultimate boost in terms of dynamic handling and traction.

The three TDI units come standard with Audi’s mild hybrid technology (MHEV = Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle), which makes driving even more convenient and can reduce fuel consumption in real driving conditions by up to 0.4 liters per 100 kilometers. It works on the basis of a new 48-volt main electrical system.

The belt alternator starter as the central MHEV component recovers up to 8 kW of power during braking and feeds the electricity into a separate lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 10 Ah. The new Audi A6 allroad quattro can coast with the engine switched off over wide speed ranges; start-stop mode kicks in right from 22 km/h (13.7 mph).

The suspension of the A6 allroad quattro combines sporty character with very high comfort and enhanced off-road capabilities. Apart from the adaptive air suspension with controlled damping it offers other highlights. The standard progressive steering becomes increasingly direct with increasing steering angle. Its control concept keeps away unpleasant jolts from the steering wheel, yet transfers transparent feedback from the road. The optional dynamic all-wheel steering combines agility and stability. At speeds up to 60 km/h (37.3 mph), the rear wheels turn as much as five degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels, reducing the turning circle and making the steering response even more spontaneous. At higher speeds the front and rear wheels turn up to two degrees in the same direction, thus enhancing stability when traveling in a straight line or changing lanes.

Apart from the shock absorbers and bellows, the electronic chassis platform (ECP) also manages the dynamic all-wheel steering and the optional sport differential. In the Audi drive select system, the driver can adjust the operation of the controlled functions and components in six modes (dynamic, automatic, comfort, efficiency, allroad and lift). The Audi A6 allroad quattro is fitted as standard with 18-inch wheels with 225/55 size tires. The largest optional wheels – from the Audi Sport range – measure 21 inches in diameter.

As an alternative to the standard seats, which can be equipped with seat heating and ventilation, Audi also supplies sport seats. Top-of-the-line equipment comes in the shape of the electrically adjustable customized contour seats, which can be supplemented with a massage function. Optional equipment further boosts comfort: The air quality package adds subtle fragrances to the interior and includes an ionizer. The panoramic glass sunroof brings light and fresh air into the car. In the dark, the contour ambient lighting package floods the interior in a special look.

The new Audi A6 allroad quattro is 4.95 meters (16.2 ft) long, 1.90 meters (6.2 ft) wide and 1.50 meters (4.9 ft) high. The wheelbase of 2.93 meters (9.6 ft) provides the basis for generous amounts of space including the extensive elbow room in the front and rear and spacious knee room in the rear. Like the A6 Avant, it offers a luggage capacity of between 565 liters (20.0 cu ft) and 1,680 liters (59.3 cu ft) with the rear seats folded down. The rear seats can be split-folded 40:20:40 as standard. Standard equipment also includes the electric tailgate and the automatically opening luggage compartment cover. A rail system, a tensioning strap, a net and two bag hooks also form part of the standard specification. The optional load-securing kit with telescopic bar and strap allows the luggage compartment to be divided up into individual sections. The trailer hitch features an electric release function. There is a sense of quiet on board – courtesy of the stiff body made from an aluminum hybrid construction and the sophisticated aeroacoustics.

Digital native – infotainment, connectivity and driver assistance

The A6 allroad quattro features the same extensive infotainment range found in its A6 and A7 sister models. The all-digital operating system comprising a top large screen – measuring 10.1 inches in the top-of-the-line version – is used to control the infotainment. On the 8.6-inch display below, the driver operates the climate control, the comfort functions and the text input. The natural-language voice control uses both onboard information as well as knowledge from the cloud to process all input. Optionally the new A6 allroad quattro also includes the Audi virtual cockpit – its 12.3-inch display is controlled with the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel. It is complemented by the likewise optional top-of-the-line infotainment control center – the MMI navigation plus including LTE module and Wi-Fi hotspot. The navigation learns based on previous journeys and can provide the driver with suitable suggestions when choosing a route. The route is calculated online on the servers of service provider HERE and also onboard. Audi also supplies a head-up display as an option.

The Audi connect online services are split into two packages – navigation & infotainment and emergency call & service. The myAudi app connects the user’s smartphone seamlessly with the MMI; the Audi connect key lets the driver unlock/lock the vehicle, and start the engine using an Android smartphone via near field communication (NFC). The optional Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, which incorporates 19 loudspeakers and a subwoofer, also delivers 3D sound to the rear. Up to seven drivers can store around 400 functions in up to seven individual profiles. The driver assist systems in the new Audi A6 allroad quattro provide even more comfort and safety. They are divided into two packages: The Tour assist package includes functions such as efficiency assist, adaptive cruise assist and emergency assist. The City package features the intersection assist and the exit warning. The central driver assistance controller (zFAS), which continuously calculates a model of the vehicle environment, provides the data source for all these systems.

Exclusive for the market introduction – the “20 years allroad” edition model

To coincide with the introduction of the new A6 allroad quattro, Audi is launching the “20 years allroad” edition model. Both its exterior and interior have been put together individually. Three paint colors are available: gavial green as well as glacier white and Soho brown. The black styling package has been extended with specific Audi rings and exterior mirror housings. Exclusive 19-inch wheels complete the striking look. Black sport seats with leather/Alcantara upholstery, aluminum inlays and illuminated door sill trims add prominent highlights in the interior.

The new Audi A6 allroad quattro is due to go on sale in Germany and other European markets in June. The list price of the entry-level TDI in Germany will be 61,500 euros.

Courtesy: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/

Avant-garde: the new Audi A6 Avant

Avant-garde: the new Audi A6 Avant

Avant-garde: the new Audi A6 Avant

The new Audi A6 Avant combines dynamic design with superb everyday utility and excellent adaptability. The rear has a striking design, yet offers a flexible luggage compartment concept with 565 to 1,680 liters (20.0 – 59.3 cu ft) of capacity. The drive and suspension are designed with comfort and sportiness in mind. The standard mild hybrid system boosts efficiency while the dynamic all-wheel steering enhances maneuverability and agility. With its intuitive operation, the fully digital MMI touch response operating system offers a high level of convenience for driver and passengers.

Aesthetics and functionality – the exterior design
Attractive station wagons go by the name of Avant – the new A6 Avant continues this aspiration of the Audi brand. With sharp lines, large surfaces and the distinctive low-profile rear window, the exterior design reflects new design language of the brand. At just under five meters (16.4 ft) long, the Avant exudes elegance, sportiness and sophistication with its long front end and gently sloping roofline.

A wide, low Singleframe grille dominates the front, while the elongated silhouette and trapezoidal window surfaces dominate the side view. Distinctively shaped blisters, which visually emphasize the quattro drive, extend over the wheel housings. The muscular roofline flows into the low-profile D-pillar. The roof edge spoiler extends the silhouette and underlines the sporty look of the A6 Avant. At the rear, a decorative trim provides a link between the lights. In addition to the twelve paint colors, customers can choose from the optional sport and design exterior equipment lines as well as the S line exterior package.

Inviting – body, spaciousness and luggage compartment
The new Audi A6 Avant is 4.94 meters (16.2 ft) long, 1.89 meters (6.2 ft) wide and 1.47 meters (4.8 ft) high. Its interior is even larger than on the predecessor model. It beats the competition with front and rear elbow room as well as with knee room in the rear seat area.

Despite the sporty lines, the new A6 Avant retains the spacious luggage compartment capacity of its predecessor. The luggage compartment provides a loading width of 1,050 millimeters (3.5 ft) and a capacity 565 liters (20.0 cu ft) in the basic configuration, increasing to 1,680 liters (59.3 cu ft) with the backrests folded down. The tailgate and the luggage compartment cover open electrically as standard; an optional sensor control is available for the tailgate. The rear seats can be folded 40:20:40 as a standard.An electric release function is available for the optional trailer hitch.

The luggage compartment is equipped with the proven rail system as a standard. Customers can individually position four variable lashing points to secure objects. The A6 Avant also includes a tensioning strap, a net and two hooks. The optional load-securing kit with telescopic bar and strap allows individual sectioning of the luggage compartment.

The new A6 Avant is at home on long journeys, also thanks to the low interior noise level. The aerodynamics and aeroacoustics are top-class; the drag coefficient of the entry-level engine, which will go on sale after the market launch, is 0.27. The body made of steel and aluminum components offers extraordinary rigidity.

Safety first – lighting technology and driver assistance systems
The A6 Avant comes with a comprehensive package of safety systems, including lighting technology, assistance systems and passive safety. LED headlights are standard on the new Audi A6 Avant. Three versions are available, with the HD Matrix LED headlights with high-resolution high beam as the top-of-the-line version. Five horizontal lines draw the daylight running light signature with this option. The dynamic turn signal and the pulsating coming-home and leaving-home sequences emphasize the distinctive character of the A6 family. The optional contour ambient lighting package brings the interior design specifically to life.

With frequent drivers and commuters in mind, the A6 Avant provides an extensive range of driver assistance systems, divided into the “City” and “Tour” packages. In addition to the standard emergency braking assist Audi pre sense front, the driver assistance systems also include adaptive cruise assist with narrowed road assist. It supports longitudinal and lateral control in stop-and-go traffic right down to a standstill and at driving speeds up to 250 kilometers/hour (155.3 mph) and supports the driver by accelerating and braking. The assistance function also helps maintain the set speed and the distance to the vehicle ahead in congested traffic as well as in narrow situations.

For the additional efficiency assistant function, the adaptive cruise assist predictively factors in speed limits, bends, roundabouts and – if route guidance is active – also turnings as part of the cruise control function. Besides the predictive information in the instrument cluster, the efficiency assistant also provides haptic feedback via the active gas pedal. Together with the MHEV system, these assistance functions can help promote fuel economy.

Emergency assist enhances safety by recognizing when the driver fails to act and providing a visual, acoustic or haptic warning. If the driver fails to respond, the system takes over, turns on the hazard warning lights and automatically brings the A6 to a stop in its own lane. The system activates Audi pre sense protection measures, such as seat belt tensioning, window closing, and automatically makes an emergency call.

Five functions support the driver in urban traffic: Crossing assist detects critical crossing traffic in front of the car; the Audi pre sense 360° system detects collision hazards; rear cross traffic assist monitors slow reversing, such as exiting a parallel parking space. Exit warning and lane change warning supplement the package.

These functions are managed in an Audi high-end module, which is fitted in the new A6 Avant as a standard: the central driver assistance controller, which continuously computes a differentiated image of the car’s surroundings. To do this, depending on the equipment level, it uses data from as many as five radar sensors, five cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors and the laser scanner.

Efficient and powerful – all engines with mild hybrid technology
All engines are fitted as standard with a mild hybrid system, which further increases comfort and efficiency and can reduce fuel consumption in real-world driving. The belt alternator starter, the heart of the MHEV system, recovers up to 12 kW with the 48 V system during braking and feeds the electricity into a separate lithium-ion battery. With the engine switched off, the new Audi A6 Avant can coast between 55 and 160 km/h (34.2 – 99.4 mph); the start-stop already kicks in at 22 km/h (13.7 mph).

The engines put their power onto the road with a seven-speed S tronic or an eight-speed tiptronic and the quattro all-wheel drive. The optional sport differential that actively distributes the power between the rear wheels when cornering at speed provides the ideal complement.

Comfortable and agile like never before – the suspension
The suspension on the new A6 Avant offers an even larger spread between dynamics and comfort than its predecessor. The standard progressive steering is highly comfortable to use. With an already sporty steering ratio, it becomes increasingly direct with increasing steering angle. The new control concept for the electromechanical steering also provides intense feedback from the road while eliminating unpleasant jolts from the steering wheel.

Audi offers the dynamic all-wheel steering as an option, which makes the A6 Avant highly maneuverable. At speeds up to 60 km/h (37.3 mph), the rear wheels turn as much as five degrees in the opposite direction. This reduces the turning circle of the nearly five-meter long (16.4 ft) Avant by up to one meter (3.3 ft) to 11.1 (36.4 ft) meters. Whether parking, maneuvering or driving in urban traffic – you do not notice the size of the A6 Avant in everyday situations. The dynamic all-wheel steering also increases agility in corners and driving stability at higher speeds above 60 km/h (37.3 mph). In this situation, the front and rear axles steer in the same direction to enhance stability.

Customers have a choice of four suspension variants: the standard steel-spring suspension, the sport suspension, the suspension with shock absorber control and the adaptive air suspension, also with controlled shock absorbers. In addition to the shock absorbers and the air springs, the electronic chassis platform (ECP) also controls the dynamic all-wheel steering and the updated sport differential, which actively distributes the drive torque as needed between the rear wheels during fast cornering. The driver can adjust the settings for all controlled suspensions in the Audi drive select dynamic handling system – in the modes comfort, auto and dynamic. The dynamic all-wheel steering varies its ratio and the degree of feedback, for example. The new Audi A6 Avant stands on wheels measuring up to 21 inches, which provide exceptional ride and noise comfort even at this size.

House beautiful – interior and equipment
The interior of the new Audi A6 Avant features stylish, minimalist architecture which fuses harmoniously with the operating concept. A black panel surface with the embedded top MMI touch response display dominates the sleek instrument panel. Just like the bottom display on the center tunnel console, it is angled slightly toward the driver. The horizontally oriented lines in the interior reinforce the impression of a large space where all elements relate logically to each other.

Depending on the customer’s wishes, the interior of the new Audi A6 Avant can take on entirely different personalities. In addition to the basic version, four equipment lines are available, each with its own color concept: sport, design, design selection and the S line sport package. The colors seem progressive and elegant, the materials – through to the Valcona leather and the trim strips in open-pore wood – are sophisticated, as one would expect from Audi. The S line exterior package is also available for all equipment lines.

The seats in the Audi A6 Avant were completely redeveloped. The top-of-the-line options include the customized contour front seats with numerous adjustment functions, optionally fitted with ventilation and massage function, as well as the S sport seats with integrated head restraints.

Other options include the air quality package with two different fragrances as well as the ionizer, the large panoramic glass sunroof and the adaptive windshield wipers with integrated washer jets in the wiper blades on the windshield and rear window.

Intuitive and logical – the MMI touch response operating system
The driver executes nearly all functions on two large displays in the MMI touch response operating concept of the new Audi A6 Avant. The driver manages infotainment and navigation on the top display with its 10.1-inch screen diagonal – if MMI navigation plus is fitted.

The 8.6-inch display below is used for climate control, comfort functions and text input. The driver’s wrist can rest comfortably on the selector lever while operating the functions. Thanks to its haptic and acoustic feedback, the MMI touch response technology is fast and reliable. The MMI menu structure is logical and flat like on a smartphone; the driver can customize the arrangement of many icons on the bottom start screen.

MMI navigation plus also includes the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit with its 12.3-inch screen diagonal, which is operated with the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel. The optional head-up display projects information onto the windshield. The natural language voice control turns the new A6 Avant into an intelligent dialog partner. It replies to commands and questions in two ways: with data stored onboard and knowledge from the cloud. The standard personalization offers up to seven individual profiles, allowing several drivers to store up to 400 settings from many areas.

Attentive and accommodating – navigation and Audi connect
The optional MMI navigation plus is the top-of-the-line component in the infotainment range for the new Audi A6 Avant. Its data transfer module supports the LTE Advanced standard and incorporates a WiFi hotspot. The navigation system recognizes the driver’s preferences based on previous journeys and generates intelligent suggestions from this information. The route is calculated online on the servers of service provider HERE and also in the car.

The Audi connect portfolio offers numerous online services, including several Car-to-X services. The optional Audi connect key locks and unlocks the new A6 Avant via an Android smartphone. The myAudi app connects the car with the owner’s smartphone. The Audi phone box supports telephony with the highly convenient Voice-over-LTE protocol. The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System delivers fascinating 3D sound through a total of 19 loudspeakers, including in the rear.

courtesy: www.audi-mediacenter.com