While everyone’s attention was turned toward the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, Audi made an interesting move: The German carmaker unveiled the first details about its upcoming Audi A6 Allroad, the popular off-roader based on the latest generation Audi A6 Avant.
For car enthusiasts familiar with the Audi A6 Allroad model, the new version won’t come with any surprises — the elegant estate silhouette being combined with details specific to car meant to drive outside paved roads such as high resistance plastics parts, chromed side sills and resistant protections under the car, on the front and rear part.
The new Audi A6 Allroad has a total length of 4.94 meters (194.5 inches), 2 cm (0.8 inches) longer than the Audi A6 Avant, while the ride height has been increased by 6 cm (2.4 inches), to make sure nothing gets into the car’s way. Anyway, the pneumatic suspension system which comes as standard can lower the car by 15 mm (0.6 inches) when driving at high speeds or lift it by 35 mm (1.4 inches) when tough terrain calls for it. There’s even a special “lift mode” that lifts the car by another centimeter (0.4 inches), when the situation is almost desperate. As standard, the new A6 Allroad comes with 18 inch wheels equipped with 235/55 R 18 tires and the optional list also includes 19 inch and 20 inch wheels for a more aggressive look. On the interior, the car offers the same generous space as the “normal” A6 Avant, luggage space varying between 560 and 1,680 liters, when the rear seats are folded.
The German carmaker will offer the new Audi A6 Allroad with four engines: three diesel units and a gasoline engine. Diesel options are based on the 3.0-liter V6 engine, which is available in three power outputs: 204 hp, 245 hp and 313 hp. The most powerful diesel, the 313 hp version, is available with an eight speed automatic transmission as standard and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 6 seconds (more exactly, 5.6 seconds). The gasoline Allroad is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 TFSI engine that delivers 310 hp, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds and achieves an average fuel economy of 8.9 liters per 100 km (26.4 US mpg). This version, plus the two lower powered diesels, is available with a double clutch seven speed automatic transmission.
The car will make its official debut at the upcoming 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March and sales are scheduled to start immediately after, the starting price in Germany for the 3.0 TDI 204 hp being 54,600 Euros (a little over $70,000).