Audi’s A6 estate goes on a diet

Audi is promising more space for less weight in its latest A6 Avant estate model.

On UK roads in November, the car will offer slightly extra luggage capacity but weigh in at up to 70 kilos less than its predecessor.

Audi says that the weight saving has been achieved by using a composite body construction mixing steel with aluminium.

The standard luggage capacity with seats up of 565 litres remains, but with the rear seat backs folded back the capacity of 1,680 litres is 20 better than the previous car’s.

A novel optional touch is the access to the load bay, which can be opened automatically by gesturing with a foot towards two sensors mounted under the rear bumper.

The four-way engine choice has been taken from the A6 saloon, comprising a 2-litre 174bhp diesel, a pair of 3-litre diesels of 201 and 241bhp and a 3-litre petrol unit offering 295bhp.

The larger diesel and the petrol will be matched to the quattro all-wheel-drive transmission and come with the S-tronic seven-speed auto gearbox. Front-wheel-drive models will use a Multitronic eight-speed ‘box, apart from the entry-level 2-litre diesel which can be supplied with a six-speed manual transmission.

Audi expects the smaller diesel to appeal on its eco credentials, offering 56.5mpg and a 132g/km CO2 emissions figure.

Later this year customers will be able to order an A6 Avant with a new 3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel of 308bhp. It will become the swiftest model in the range, with a 0-62mph sprint time of 5.4 seconds and an electronically-limited 155mph top speed.

Order books for all but the 308bhp diesel model are now open with prices ranging from £32,100 to £43,480.

Words by: Andrew Charman