Audi A6 2005 Review

When Joerg Hofmann arrived Down Under last year as the new Managing Director of Audi it was just in time for the launch of the TT V6. At the time he promised that all new Audi models would lob sooner than they had in the past. With the A4 sedan, A3 Sportback, A6 sedan and just a week or so ago the A6 Avant he has certainly kept his word. You can always trust a German to be on time.

Sales of Audi's are up 35 per cent this year in a luxury market that is showing little if any growth over 2004. The other Germans should be worried as it's no mean achievement and shows that old adage that it's "all about product" has never been as true.

The A6 Avant is more than just being a wagon version of the Wheels Automotive Design Award (WADA) winning A6 sedan. The A6 sedan won a WADA gong for best exterior design and the Avant has just as an impressive visage if not better. Indeed, the Avant is a bang up to date interpretation of a lifestyle wagon that offers up space and practicality in a beautifully styled (and precision made) package that's both distinctive and also pretty good value.

The signature Audi single frame trapezoidal grille and the clear Audi architecture below the beltline are enhanced by a very stylish greenhouse and tapered roof. The way that the body wraps over the wheels is both sexy and menacing at the same time, all the time in a very upmarket manner, of course. The polished aluminium roof rails follow the top contours and enhance the coupe like profile of the Avant.

There are two, petrol-only models offered at this stage, though Audi has not ruled out adding the 3.0lt turbo-diesel V6 if demand warrants. For now the choice is between the front drive 2.4lt 130kW/230Nm V6 with the clever and effective seven-speed multitronic CVT box for $84,990 or the Quattro all-wheel-drive 3.2lt 188kW/355Nm FSI V6. This is coupled with a six-speed tiptronic transmission and is priced from $104,500.

Not surprisingly, they are very different cars in the way that they drive.

Defying its relatively modest engine power and capacity, the 2.4lt A6 Avant is a rapid and smooth performer by virtue of the constantly variable multitronic transmission (Damm clever it is, too!) that keeps the engine in its torque band. Audi has really got the electronic mapping sorted out with this transmission and it's smooth as the proverbial yet delivers a sporty and very fluid driving experience. While the 2.4's 130kw/230Nm might not sound like anywhere near enough to move the Avant's considerable 1670kg along with any authority it does so very, very well. The quoted 0-100km/h time is 9.5sec, but on the road it feels a helluva lot quicker.

The 3.2 has a meaty 188kW/355Nm driving through the six-speed tiptronic auto which offers a choice of normal, sport or manual modes. The 'big block' Avant might carry a weight penalty of around 100kg over the 2.4, but it lunges toward 100km/h in a commendable 7.4sec.

In practice, the 3.2's performance is in another league again with loads of midrange torque and a willingness to rev that impresses as does the smooth as silk delivery. Both wagons are capable of more than double the highest legal speed in Australia unless you are lucky enough to live in the Northern Territory.

The chassis of both Avants is more than up to the task. All is not rosy though as while the steering is direct it's still vague off centre and there's too much road harshness fed back through the wheel.

Audi's made some progress in this regard and the current crop of cars are better than they were. The A6 is no exception but there's still some way to go before the maker can claim it has "fixed the steering". The steering feedback doesn't ruin having a good drive in the Avant; it just makes it a bit less complete than the chassis is capable of delivering.

The ride is smooth and supple at highway speeds, but can be a bit thumpy at lower speeds. The option of air suspension will help with load carrying duties as well as delivering even better body control and perhaps a better low-speed ride. The brakes are strong and progressive and are mated with premium tyres on the standard 16 (2.4) or 17-inch (3.2) alloys.

The front drive 2.4 feels very surefooted despite a bit of understeer. Still it intrudes only when you are having a fair old go. The 3.2 Quattro showcases Audi's 25 year history of making all wheel drive work, and work well. A slight rear bias to the drivetrain delivers a sportier more responsive chassis. There aren't many station wagons that feel as well planted on the road or are as enjoyable to drive enthusiastically. Now if they could just tweak the steering!

On the inside the A6 Avant is pure A6 sedan to the back of the rear seat and that's a very good thing indeed. Superb interior finish quality and great ergonomics are Audi trademarks and never more convincingly delivered than in the A6 Avant. A blend of sports and luxury themes is what this car is all about and Audi's interior team has executed this concept just about perfectly. It is without doubt one of the nicest cockpits around and a very pleasant place to spend time.

The seats are supportive and will deliver you refreshed at the end of a long day's driving. Four passengers get the leg and head room they expect at this price, but to be frank five blokes could be a pinch. A full complement of eight airbags and a new stronger luggage net make the A6 Avant's interior one of the safest places to be in a collision. Combined with the full complement electronic chassis control gadgetry, the A6 Avant is one of the safest cars around. It has a five-star Euro NCAP rating.

In the area behind the rear seats there lurks a full sized spare wheel (Hooray!) under the beautifully trimmed and finished load area. You can configure the load area to secure objects of just about any shape. There are two rails recessed into the floor at the sides that come with four sliding and adjustable and lockable lashing points. There's also a sliding aluminium telescoping rod which can be fixed to both side rails. This rod ingeniously makes securing loads diagonally or horizontally beautifully simple. The restraint 'finale' is a strap that can secure items against the sides of the load area.

The underfloor storage is just as beautifully trimmed as the load area. As a further touch of luxury the tailgate is available with an optional automatic tailgate that opens and closes at the push of a button.

All-round the A6 Avant is an impressive vehicle. It has a unique look all of its own and sets a benchmark for stylish load carriers. The superb textures and quality evident in the interior compliment its practical load carrying ability. A pair of very good V6 engines and a more than competent chassis simply seals the deal.

Like the 5 Series Touring, it's a sporting wagon (When are we going to see the first 21st Century shooting break?)rather than a seven-passenger hauler. If that's what you're after, the E Class Estate is your target. That said, Audi reckons it will sell around 100 A6 Avants a year... Somehow we think that might be a touch conservative.

Check out Audi's press blurb on the latest A6 Avant and you'll find little about extreme load-lugging ability, or the availability of 11-seat conversions... Indeed, promoted under the theme of 'beautiful estate cars are called Avant', the classy five doors eschew box-like lines for svelte oversized coupe/hatch looks.

And the styling works -- a runaway success in Europe, the Avant is the best looking of the German prestige marques' wagons. In fact, with its strong shoulders, abbreviated glasshouse and Sportback-style tail it is arguably the best looking Audi on the market today.

Our seven-dayer came equipped with the 3.2lt FSI V6 coupled with Audi's excellent six-speed automatic transmission. Boasting a handy 188kW/330Nm and Quattro all-wheel-drive underpinnings, it was a rapid rather than blisteringly quick device in a straight line. Add a few corners and the big five-door lifted its skirts but didn't exhibit the precision of our long-term BMW 530i Touring.

Interior fit and finish is exemplary - from the dash through to the plush split-fold rear seats. Every manufacturer out there should take a long hard look at Audi's latest. They remain the benchmark. This counts for Audi's MMI navigation, audio and system interface as well - it's easier to use than BMW's iDrive even after a month or so onboard the Bimmer.

Our tester also came equipped with Audi's elaborate luggage restraint system. I know we should have read the instructions but to be honest we pushed it aside and just dumped the stuff on in. Like the BMW, ultimate load lugging ability is not what this car is about, yet there remains plenty of room for the rough and tumble of family life. If you need prodigious luggage space and a German badge take a look at the E-Class Estate, it easily out-litres the Avant (and Touring).

Other options fitted included DVD Navigation and television tuner ($6900), a BOSE speaker upgrade ($1850), Flexibility package ($1300) and parkling sensors front and rear ($790). The Flexibility package includes manual blinds for rear and rear side windows, load through facility with removable ski bag and luggage compartment area reversible mat. Like the Touring, the A6 Avant can be had with an (optional) automatic tailgate. This might sound like the height of laziness but once you've tasted the convenience you'll miss it on wagons without this feature.

Much of our week with the Avant was spent in normal ‘around town' duties. In this sort of going the 3.2/autobox combo provided instant urge to cope with the cut and thrust of Melbourne traffic, alas economy wasn't all that flash. A brief open road jaunt showed that sub-10lt/100km economy should be available to the more economical among us, however.

In Europe the A6 Avant can be purchased with Audi's excellent 3.0Tdi turbodiesel powerplant. Given the oiler's local success in the A6 sedan, it shouldn't be too long before the muscular torque-rich 165kW/450Nm powerplant makes it way Down Under in Avant form. Can't wait...