2012 Audi A6 Allroad Quattro – Price €54 600
We are all familiar how successful were the first two generations of the Allroad Quattro from the years 2000 and 2006. Now Audi has revealed the third generation of the famous model. The new A6 Allroad Quattro extends the range of uses for the A6 Avant. Moreover there is also a significant improvement in performance, as well as in fuel consumption, which was reduced by as much as 20 percent compared with the previous model.
What are the dimentions of the new A6 Allroad Quattro: 4.94 meters (16.21 ft) long, 1.90 meters (6.23 ft) wide and 1.47 (4.82 ft) meters tall. This makes it making it a few millimeters bigger than the Avant. Thank to the aluminum components included in the body of the vehicle, its total weight has been reduced by as much as 70 kilograms (154 lb) compared with the previous model. Furthermore the exterior of the Audi is designed in order to give a sportily distinctive road stance. It includes balanced proportions; sharp lines, which delineate taut surfaces; and the roof line which flows into flat D-pillars. In addition Audi offers progressive LED technology as an option for the headlights and tail lights. The xenon plus headlights can be also combined with adaptive light. Another important highlight about the body pf the new A6 Allroad Quattro is that it sits six centimeters (2.36 in) higher than that of the A6 Avant. Further improvements are made by the stainless steel covers, which protect the underbody at the front and rear of the car, and the exhaust system ending in two large, flattened tailpipes. The wheel well edges, the bumpers and the sills are painted in a contrasting color. In combination with the optional aluminum exterior package, Audi also offers a full paint finish. For example, the color called Java Braun is available exclusively for the new Audi model.
Is there anything different in the interior? Yes; but let's see it in particular. The interior of the Audi A6 Allroad Quattro now offers plenty of space. This is due to the long wheelbase of 2.91 meters (9.55 ft). It also features a lean, elegant design, clear ergonomics and superior workmanship. Moreover a function that depicts the car's pitch has been added to the MMI operating system, the soft keys of which are gleaming aluminum. The good news is that the MMI comes as standard, as well as the onboard computer with efficiency program. More about the interior design of the A6 are several visual cues: black carpeting and instrument panel; the interior color Santos Brown; the optional aluminum inlays; the door sill trims, which are also made of aluminum and emblazoned with "allroad."
Another important highlight in the new Audi A6 Allroad Quatro is the luggage compartment which has a capacity of 565 liters (19.95 cu ft). Furthermore, latches in the luggage compartment make it easy to fold down the rear seats, and thus increasing luggage capacity to 1,680 liters (59.33 cu ft). Other standard equipment features underline the practical character of the new model. For instance there is a rail system with an included load-securing kit for dividing the luggage compartment as needed, tensioning straps on the left wall and a double loading floor.
Next in the new model is that it includes a broad choice of options. Firstly, the head-up display projects important information onto the windshield. Secondly, ambient lighting bathes the interior with subtle LED light, and the widely adjustable deluxe front seats are optionally available with ventilation and massage function. In addition there are also four-zone automatic air conditioning, a panoramic glass roof and the convenience key, which can stay in the driver's jacket pocket. Topping the modular range of infotainment options is the hard drive-based navigation system MMI Navigation plus with touchpad operation (MMI touch) and whole-word voice control. Furtheremore The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System boasts 15 speakers. There is also an optional Bluetooth car phone which makes a connection to the Internet via UMTS, and a WLAN hotspot. Tailored services for the driver, such as the all-new Audi traffic information online or Audi music stream web radio, are also included. Attractive services from Google, including Google Earth, Google Street View and voice-activated POI search, are also available.
Driving with even more confidence – this was the aim of the Audi assistance and safety systems. The radar-based adaptive cruise control with stop & go function always keeps the new A6 at a reasonable distance from the car ahead. Moreover at speeds below 30 km/h (18.64 mph), the system initiates maximum braking in the event of a collision. ACC stop & go works closely together with the Audi pre sense safety system (available in various configurations). Furthermore Audi active lane assist helps the driver to maintain the lane; next Audi side assist helps the driver when changing lanes; the night vision assistant with marking of detected persons reduces the stress of driving in the dark. In addition there is the impressive driver information system with rest recommendation function which detects when the driver is getting tired and recommends taking a rest. Moreover a variety of high-end systems help in the process of parking: the park assist system with 360° display takes over the steering; the parking system plus with 360° camera provides good vision in all directions; and four small wide-angle cameras record images of the vehicle's immediate surroundings.
More importantly the new A6 Allroad Quattro is available with a choice of four powerful V6 engines: a TFSI gasoline engine and three TDI units. All are 3-liter engines with turbocharging and direct injection. They make use of important technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform such as the start-stop system and innovative thermal management. The highlight here is that their fuel consumption has been reduced by as much as 20 percent compared with the previous model! In details the 3.0 TFSI, which is boosted by a mechanically driven compressor, produces 228 kW (310 hp) and 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque. It accelerates the A6 Allroad Quattro from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.9 seconds on the way to electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). It consumes 8.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (26.43 US mpg).
On the other hand the three variants of the 3.0 TDI produce 150 kW (204 hp), 180 kW (245 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp); torque values are 450, 580 and 650 Nm (331.90, 427.79 and 479.42 lb-ft). The entry-level version consumes on average just 6.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (38.56 US mpg), corresponding to 159 g CO2/km (255.89 g/mile). Audi also consider soon to offer a particularly low-emissions clean diesel version of the 180 kW (245 hp) engine. The twin-turbo 3.0 TDI develops a 230 kW (313 hp) and it is a powerful, great sounding engine. It accelerates the A6 Allroad Quattro from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in only 5.6 seconds; the top speed is an electronically regulated 250 km/h (155.34 mph). The most powerful TDI delivers its power to a smooth and fast-shifting eight-speed tiptronic transmission. The three other engines are paired with the seven-speed S tronic, a sporty dual-clutch transmission. With their wide ratio spreads, the automatic transmissions are major contributors to the fuel efficiency of vehicle. They can be operated manually, including through optional paddles on the steering wheel. Moreover the Quattro permanent four-wheel drive system is paired with torque vectoring. For example during dynamic driving this system brakes the wheels on the inside of the curve, which are under a reduced load, before they can slip. Hence this further enhances traction and handling. The optional sport differential distributes the power in continuously variable proportions between the rear wheels.
How about the chassis of the A6 Allroad Quattro: it combines sportiness with comfort. This is due to the new electromechanical power steering which is highly sensitive and efficient. The optional dynamic steering adjusts the steering ratio to the speed driven. Moreover with the Audi drive select system, the driver can vary the function of the steering, the air suspension, the gas pedal, the automatic transmission, the sport differential, the automatic air conditioning, the lighting and the adaptive cruise control. In Efficiency mode, these systems work as economically as possible; their function can be very freely configured in Individual mode. Furthermore there is an adaptive air suspension, which combines air suspension with controlled damping. It comes as standard. It lowers the body by 15 millimeters (0.59 in) at high speed and raises it by 35 millimeters (1.38 in) at the push of a button. For example this Allroad mode is suitable for rough terrain. In addition, the driver can select a lift mode at low speeds. Then there are an extra ten millimeters (0.39 in) which enable the new Audi A6 to handle major irregularities in the road surface. Additional information that has to be mentioned here is that the Audi A6 Allroad Quattro rolls on 18-inch, five-arm alloy wheels and 235/55-size tires. Of course, Audi and Quattro GmbH offer optional wheels measuring 18, 19 and 20 inches in diameter. The large brakes provide powerful deceleration. The driver can activate a hill descent assist function for steep downhill passages and this results in speed limitation between 10 and 20 km/h (6.21 and 12.43 mph), depending on the surface.
The new Audi A6 Allroad Quattro will be available in Germany from spring 2012.
The 3.0 TDI developing 150 kW (204 hp) has a list price of €54,600.
Source: AUDI
