The Audi A6 Avant.
My first foray into the world of wagons happened when I bought a Swedish 3-litre turbo model four years ago in preparation for the purchase of a German Shepherd. But before I could buy the dog, I picked up a drain kitten near my clinic! With a cat in my house and my advancing years, I figured maybe the best option would be to keep the cat and forget the dog.
Even though my primary reason for buying a wagon was no longer tenable, I never regretted climbing aboard the, um, wagon bandwagon. My love of estate cars has grown since then. When my urge for even more power got the better of me in late 2010, I swapped my Swede machine for a supercharged German 3-litre station wagon with 333bhp. With the cat in tow and so much space for everything else, I often wonder why estates are not more popular here.
The cockpit of the Audi A6 Avant makes an excellent office for the boss of a logistics firm who wants a continental limousine with a good payload.
In any case, I think that the new A6 Avant (Audi-speak for estate) deserves to outsell the “host” saloon. With its long, sweeping lines and a beautifully proportioned rear end, the A6 “hatch” looks classier, more streamlined and more charismatic than the notchback. It exudes greater presence, too.
With 565 litres of boot space (all seats in place), the A6 Avant is not just a pretty face. Folding down the rear seat-backs expands the load capacity to 1,680 litres – enough for lots of bulky stuff. Useful luggage organisers hold cargo, especially small items, in place, and a clever privacy screen that rolls out of the way when the tailgate is opened keeps the trunk’s contents from prying eyes.
Packages placed in the Audi A6 Avant’s cargo hold are gift-wrapped in Teutonic luxury and delivered in double-quick time.
Another clever trick is the automatic opening of the powered tailgate when a foot is placed beneath the rear bumper, provided the key is in close proximity. This feature is much welcome when your hands are occupied.
The cabin is beautifully finished and extremely well equipped. A huge 7-inch colour display folds out of the dashboard when the engine is started, with navigation, audio and vehicle settings all controlled via the intuitive MMI “mouse”, which even a digital dummy like me can operate with ease!
Top up $1.8k for a set of 20-inch wheels that makes the Audi A6 Avant look sharper.
A Bose infotainment system offers multi-format playback, Bluetooth connectivity and superb surround sound, with concert hall-like music reproduction. The cockpit settings include an “Individual” mode that lets the driver choose his preferences for the suspension, transmission and steering.
The 3-litre TFSI A6’s powerplant is the same highly rated V6 fitted to the S4, but detuned to 300bhp. This motor is smooth and free revving, and its supercharged 440Nm of torque translates into exhilarating performance. The 7-speed S tronic gearbox responds instantaneously.
Audi A6 Avant’s 3-litre V6 produces 300bhp and 440Nm, put through quattro all-wheel-drive.
Although 50kg heavier than the saloon with the same drivetrain, the wagon feels almost as lively. Its century sprint time of 5.7 seconds is just 0.1 of a second slower, in fact. The A6 Avant feels just as agile, too. Over fast sweeping corners and through tight turns, this wagon is every bit as competent as the saloon.
Handling is nearly neutral, with just a trace of stabilising understeer in extremis. The electro-mechanical steering fitted to the A6 and the A7 is an improvement over the system in the A4/A5 models – its sensation is more natural, with none of the “sticky” artificial stiffness when Sport mode is selected.
The badge of the Audi A6 Avant.
One advantage the Avant has over the saloon is its comfortable ride. Even when fitted with optional 20-inch rims (like our test car), the wagon feels more composed over ridges and undulations than a regular A6 with the same wheels.
The A6 Avant 3.0 is a delightful vehicle – quick, refined, practical and luxurious. Its main rivals are the BMW 535i Touring and Mercedes E350 estate. The A6 out-accelerates both its similarly priced German rivals and has the edge in overall fit and finish, but the 535i still scores with its steering purity and on-limit handling, while the E350 has a noticeably stronger aura of prestige and social acceptance in towkay town.
The Audi A6 Avant viewed from the rear.
Personally, if I were willing to give up a bit of performance for quite a bit more room and comfort, this new Audi would be a tempting proposition. My cat Foufi would definitely approve of it!
2012 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 (A)
Engine 2995c, 24-valves, V6, supercharged
Max power 300bhp at 5250-6500rpm
Max torque 440Nm at 2900-4500rpm
Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
0-100km/h 5.7 seconds
Top speed 250km/h (governed)
Consumption 12.2km/L (combined)
Check out the 2018 Audi A6 Avant here
Audi A6 Avant with 3-litre TDI engine is powerful and economical
