Audi adds Avant wagon to A6 lineup

Audi has announced pricing and specs for its new A6 Avant. The wagon version of its midsize platform will launch this month, initially with a choice of 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines; both mated to the company's multitronic CVT auto gearbox.

Pricing for the Avant has barely changed from the previous version released here in 2008, starting at $81,800 for the petrol powered 2.0 TFSI, and $82,900 for the 2.0 TDI diesel. Both engines have auto stop/start and multitronic CVT with eight fixed gears.

Predictably for new product from one of the industry's most weight conscious players, bulk is down by as much as 70kg on superseded models. The Avant is light for a vehicle of its dimensions, capacity and equipment levels, weighing in at 1630-1650kg.

By comparison, BMW's 520d Touring weighs 1715kg, Mercedes-Benz's E250 CDI wagon 1845kg.

The benefits show up in both fuel efficiency and performance. Fuel consumption has been pared back by up to 21 per cent, with the 2.0 TDI good for a claimed 5.1L/100km for a combined cycle and the TFSI 6.5L/100km. Both sit at the pointy end of the emissions scale for cars of this ilk; the TDI giving off just 135g/km and the TFSI 152g/km combined.

Performance is sprightly for engines that are relatively small (albeit becoming the base-spec norm) in a body of this size. Unusually, the diesel has the advantage here as well as in fuel consumption.

Rated at 130kW, the diesel option comes near to matching the TFSI's 132kW but serves up 60Nm of extra torque. The unit makes its 380Nm available through a relatively narrow rev band, from 1750-2500rpm, a key element in keeping it tight on fuel. The TFSI makes up the shortfall in twist by delivering its peak 320Nm across a broader band, from 1500-3900rpm.

In conjunction with its 60Nm of extra torque, slightly shorter fixed gear ratios at the lower end help the TDI not just keep up with its petrol counterpart but beat it to 100km/h by a tenth of a second -- 8.5 seconds against 8.6.

With both incarnations specced identically beyond the powertrain, standard kit is what you'd expect of an $80K German luxe model. Both get the MMI central control system and Audi's drive select, allowing you to switch between comfort/auto/dynamic/individual/efficiency modes.

The A6 Avant models also get 17-inch alloy wheels, sat-nav, cruise, park assist, electronically dimmed interior and wing mirrors, sensor-driven lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and go, full leather interior with electrically adjustable front seats and a decent 10-speaker audio with Bluetooth streaming and iPod compatibility.

An interesting inclusion is the sensor-controlled auto tailgate. Turning up with an armful of shopping, you just need to move your foot under the rear bumper with the key fob in your pocket and it opens for you. The electric luggage cover opens and closes automatically with the tailgate. Cargo capacity varies from 565 litres with the rear seat up to 1680 litres with it folded flat.

Individual options include sports suspension ($830), adaptive cruise ($3650), night vision ($4270), head-up display ($2950), quad-zone climate control ($1390), panoramic sunroof ($2980), sports seats ($1360-2060, depending on leather grade), ventilated comfort front seats with massage ($8850), sports wheel with paddles ($530), park assist with 360-degree top-view camera ($2170) and audio upgrades by Bose ($1950) or Bang & Olufsen (ouch -- $12,340).

And in keeping with current value trends, they've bundled them, too. The Technik package adds xenon headlights, quad-zone climate control, sports steering wheel with paddles and the 360-degree top-view camera for $3360, while the S line Sport package adds xenons, sports suspension and sports seats, upgraded leather, sports steering wheel with paddles, and upgrade trim inside and out, with 18-inch alloys ($9350) or 20-inch ($11,750).

2012 Audi A6 Avant pricing
2.0 TFSI from $81,800 plus ORCs
2.0 TDI from $82,900 plus ORCs

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