2007 Audi A6 allroad quattro: Rugged Sophistication

Motoring Channel Staff - 26/Apr/2007

Botany, Australia — It's been launched to popular acclaim in Europe and is a gaining respect as an alpine vehicle, and now it's Australia's turn to try out the second generation Audi A6 allroad quattro (yes, the words 'quattro' and 'allroad' are intentionally lowercase).

Damien Tomlinson road tested the first generation Audi allroad back in April 2004, and up against the then 'new' BMW X5, it managed to keep the BMW honest. But now Audi has the larger Q7 model to tackle the X5 and M-Class, which allows the A6 allroad to slip quietly into a slightly different market segment.

While the 2007 model A6 allroad features things like air suspension with ride-height adjust and a dedicated full-time 4WD system, it's based on the A6 Avant (wagon) and as such will appeal to family buyers and those who don't want the heavy weight and fuel economy penalties that come with larger sports utility type vehicles (SUV).

As Audi explains in it's A6 allroad customer profiling, potential buyers will recognise that they realistically don’t need an SUV and find it too cumbersome.

In Australia, the A6 allroad quattro will be offered with a single engine type to begin with, priced at $106,000. Powered by Audi's 3.0-litre V6 twin turbo diesel engine, the A6 allroad has a V8-like 450Nm of torque @ 1400rpm, while using 8.8L/100km which is very efficient for a car of this size.

The twin turbo V6 engine develops 171kW of power @ 4000rpm, and is mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Audi says that the new tiptronic gearbox allows for more accelerating power in low gears and a decrease in engine speed in the upper speed
range, which helps to reduce both noise levels and fuel consumption.

In addition to the new bent 6-cylinder engine, the Audi A6 allroad also ships with a number of practical features, which are as follows:

 17-inch alloys
 quattro permanent four-wheel drive
 adaptive air suspension
 Speed-sensitive servotronic power steering
 Electromechanical parking brake
 Light and rain sensors
 Headlight washer system
 Multi Media Interface: MMI (with 7-inch screen)
 Parking sensors

Cost options include things like 'adaptive light' dynamic cornering xenon headlights, a more comprehensive parking system that adds a rear-view camera, and an advanced keyless access system.

Built in Germany, the new A6 allroad has air suspension that can change the ride height at the push of a button from between 125 185mm, giving the vehicle more scope to tackle 4WD trails and unsealed roads without snagging the undercarriage. There are four modes for the air suspension system:

• Dynamic mode: 125mm ground clearance

• Automatic mode: 140mm ground clearance

• Allroad mode: 175mm ground clearance

• Lift mode: 185mm ground clearance

As well as it's off-road abilities, the new Audi is being marketed a high end luxury vehicle, with leather seats for all five passengers, electric everything (windows, mirrors etc), climate controlled air-conditioning and rain-sensing windscreen wipers. 

The new A6 allroad has grown in size as well, which benefits interior space and off-road stability. Audi says the A6 allroad quattro is longer (+124mm) and wider (+10mm) than its predecessor, while the wheelbase has been extended by 76mm which benefits front and rear passenger room. With 565 litres of cargo space the A6 allroad's boot is large and incorporates a twin rail securing system and tie-down facilities to ensure that cargo doesn't end up rolling around.

Audi is pitching the car not only at the executive end of the market but also for sports-loving families and travel-savvy drivers. The car can be configured to transport skis, surfboards, luggage, children and even the family pet says Audi, offering the best-possible compromise between family estate, performance car and larger SUV model. 

Joerg Hofmann, who is the managing director of Audi Australia, said the new A6 allroad quattro is a popular vehicle with a loyal customer base: "The second generation of the A6 allroad quattro will be sought out by customers who want authenticity and performance, knowing they possess the ability to escape from the urban jungle, whilst maintaining an appreciation of style, quality and workmanship.

"This new model exists in a very popular niche with those customers who find themselves wanting all-terrain flexibility but don't need a vehicle quite as rugged as an SUV," Mr Hofmann said.

A6 allroad Style

Based on the A6 Avant model, the A6 allroad looks every bit an Audi, only more rugged. It's got front and rear bash plates, wheel arch cladding and a tyre package that finds the middle ground between road and off-road tyres, with 225/55 R17 rolling stock.The addition of aluminium roof rails add a sense of robustness and, just like the A6 wagon, the dynamic roof line gives the A6 allroad a sleek silhouette, and unlike its predecessor it gets the more modern Audi face characterised by a unique interpretation of the single-frame grille that's heavy on the chrome with its polished vertical bars.

With ESP as standard, the A6 allroad is suited to even the most trying of conditions, and in the event of a collision from the side, occupants are protected by side airbags fitted as standard at the front and rear and the head airbag system known as sideguard. Audi says thelatter covers almost the entire side window area.

From the rear the new model is hard to miss thanks to its bright LED brake lights. The sporting nature of the twin turbo V6 hasn't been overlooked, with twin exhaust pipes either side of the stainless steel rear bash plate. Eleven colours are available, including three new ones: Polar Blue, Condor Grey and Lava Grey. 

The Audi A6 allroad is on sale now in Australia, and only one model is offered, the 3.0-litre V6 diesel with 6-speed automatic transmission, priced at$106,000.