While Audi was showing off the revamped A4 Allroad (which replaces the Avant models in the U.S. market) at the Detroit Auto Show, back in Germany, the brand with the four-ring logo introduced the brand new 2013 A6 Allroad.
The do a little bit of everything mentality of the first two generations of the original (A6) Allroad quattro continues with the third generation model that is once again based on the latest 2012 A6 Avant.
The new A6 Allroad is 4.94 meters (16.21 ft) long, 1.90 meters (6.23 ft) wide and 1.47 meters (4.82 ft) tall, making it a few millimeters bigger than the station wagon variant. Furthermore, the body of the new Allroad sits 60mm (2.36 in) higher than that of the regular A6 Avant.
Along with the massive front grille with the chromed vertical slats, the Allroad version of the A6 gets new bumpers, more widely flared fenders, stainless steel covers to protect the front and rear of the car, as well as the exhaust system in the rare case someone actually goes off road, and chunkier roof bars.
It also rides on bespoke 18-inch, five-arm alloy wheels shod in 235/55-size tires, though Audi does offer 19 and 20 inch rims as an option.
What really sets apart the A6 Allroad from its smaller A4 sibling is the standard, adaptive air suspension that 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. Moreover, a special lift mode at low speeds adds another ten millimeters (0.39 in).
As with the other variants of the latest A6 series, total vehicle weight on the Allroad has been reduced by as much as 70 kg (154 lb) compared with the previous model.
In Europe, there are four available powerplants including one TFSI gasoline engine and three TDI diesel units.
The 3.0-liter V6 TFSI is rated at 310HP and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) and accelerates the Allroad to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.9 seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155mph). It consumes 8.9 liters of fuel per 100km (26.4 mpg US).
All three diesel engines are based on Audi’s 3.0-liter V6 TDI producing 204HP, 245HP and in the case of the twin-turbocharged version, 313HP. The most powerful diesel, which is linked to an 8-speed auto, allows for 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.6 seconds and an electronically regulated 250 km/h (155mph) tops speed.
The TSI and the two less potent diesel engines are paired to Audi’s 7-speed dual clutch transmission.
We still don’t know if Audi will bring the A6 Allroad to North America, but in Europe, it goes on sale this spring the base 204HP TDI model starting from €54,600 (about US$70,000).
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