- Audi’s most versatile car is back.
- The new A6 Allroad has standard quattro and a raised suspension.
- The all-wheel-drive wagon’s body is wider than the regular A6 Avant.
- This is the first time that Audi is selling a plug-in hybrid Allroad model.
It’s been over a year since Audi introduced the A6 Avant, and now it’s time to meet its allroad sibling. The firmer wagon follows the tried-and-tested formula by ditching the suspension and making quattro standard. However, there is one feature that very few people saw coming. Yes, it has a wider body, a feature previously reserved for the flagship RS6.
The new Allroad looks like an A6 Avant on stilts because that’s essentially what it is. Audi has increased ground clearance by 34 millimeters (1.3 in) compared to the regular wagon. Also, the body is 111 mm (4.3 in) wider, making it the first Allroad to have a stronger body than the donor car.
Both the front and rear axles have also been widened to accommodate up to 21-inch wheels wrapped in 285/35 tyres. If that’s too much for off-road duties, the standard 19-inch setup comes with 265/45 tyres, while the 20-inch alloys wear 275/40 rubber. Audi says the tires are wider than before.
Photo by: Audi
Standard all-wheel steering
Like all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering comes out of the box. It rotates the rear wheels by 5 degrees at low speeds to improve maneuverability. At higher speeds, they turn in the same direction as the front wheels to increase stability. Audi equips its go-anywhere wagon with a standard adaptive air suspension that’s tuned specifically for allroad duty.
For the first time in the history of the Allroad model, Audi is offering a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor for a total system output of 362 hp and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. The electrified setup helps the A6 Allroad reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.5 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).
The A6 Allroad E-Hybrid has a 20.7-kWh battery pack with an electric range of 59 miles (95 kilometers) in the WLTP combined cycle. It takes two and a half hours to refill the battery using up to 11 kW of AC charging.
If you want to stick with a more conventional powertrain, the diesel option is the tried-and-tested 3.0-litre V6 TDI with a mild-hybrid twist and claims of zero turbo lag. The six-cylinder engine produces 295 hp and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) of torque, enough for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h), the same as the plug-in hybrid.
Audi will have the new A6 Allroad in dealerships across Europe this autumn. In Germany, prices start at €77,250 for the diesel and go up to €80,250 for the plug-in hybrid.
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Source: Audi
Motor1’s Opinion: The Allroad remains the Four Rings’ best one-car-garage solution, capable of doing almost every job. Until the RS6 Allroad is ready, this will be our pick from the Audi lineup. However, we are somewhat disappointed by the lack of pure gasoline engine options in Europe, although diesel and plug-in gas hybrids should meet most customer needs.
We’re also not entirely convinced by the glossy black accents, as a matte finish would be a better fit for the A6 Allroad’s strong character. The same criticism applies to the piano black interior trim, which is a fingerprint magnet waiting to happen.
