2019 Audi A6 Avant – handsome wagon hauls 1,680L

The handsome new C8 Audi A6 has a new wagon sister. The 2019 Audi A6 Avant looks really classy and can swallow up to 1,680 litres of cargo, making it quite possibly the perfect family hauler unless a high seating position is needed.

The new A6 Avant is 4.94 metres long, 1.89 metres wide and 1.47 metres tall, and that substantial footprint creates a larger interior than its predecessor. Audi claims best in class front and rear elbow room, as well as rear knee room. The cargo area takes 565 litres, or 1,680 litres with the 40:20:40 rear seats folded flat.

The tailgate and the luggage compartment cover open electrically as standard, but sensor control is available. The load bay is equipped with a rail system with four variable lashing points to secure objects. A tensioning strap, a net and two hooks are also included; while the optional load-securing kit with telescopic bar and strap allows sectioning of the load bay.

Powertrains are shared with the sedan, which can be had with two 3.0 litre V6 engines with quattro AWD. The petrol TFSI comes with 335 hp and 500 Nm of torque, and is mated to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic. Such equipped, 0-100 km/h is done in 5.1 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 km/h. The TDI is paired with an eight-speed torque converter automatic, and serves up 282 hp and 620 Nm.

All engines feature the brand’s 48 V mild hybrid system, where a belt alternator starter (BAS) works together with a lithium-ion battery to allow for coasting at speeds between 55 and 160 km/h. The start-stop system kicks in early at 22 km/h. An optional sport differential actively distributes power between the rear wheels when cornering hard.

Audi says that the new A6 offers a larger spread between dynamics and comfort than its predecessor. There’s a standard progressive steering and the optional dynamic all-wheel steering. At speeds up to 60 km/h the latter system turns the rear wheels as much as five degrees in the opposite direction. This reduces the turning circle of the big wagon by up to one metre. Above 60 km/h, both axles steer in the same direction for better agility and stability.

Customers have a choice of four suspensions – standard steel-spring suspension, sport suspension, suspension with shock absorber control and the adaptive air suspension, also with controlled absorbers. In addition to the shock absorbers and air springs, the electronic chassis platform (ECP) also controls the all-wheel steering and the sport differential. Audi drive select provides comfort, auto and dynamic modes. Wheels are up to 21 inches.

The Audi A6 Avant provides a range of driver assistance systems, divided into “City” and “Tour” packages. In addition to the standard emergency braking assist Audi pre sense front, the driver assistance systems also include adaptive cruise assist with narrowed road assist. It supports longitudinal and lateral control in stop-and-go traffic right down to a standstill and at speeds of up to 250 km/h.

Emergency assist enhances safety by recognizing when the driver fails to act and providing a visual, acoustic or haptic warning. If the driver fails to respond, the system takes over, turns on the hazard warning lights and automatically brings the A6 to a stop in its own lane. The system activates Audi pre sense protection measures, such as seat belt tensioning, window closing, and automatically makes an emergency call.

Five functions support the driver in urban traffic: Crossing assist detects critical crossing traffic in front of the car; Audi pre sense 360° detects collision hazards; rear cross traffic assist monitors slow reversing. Exit warning and lane change warning supplement the package. Up to five radar sensors, five cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanner provide the data.

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