8 February 2011
At one point it was touch and go whether our market was even going to receive Audi's latest A6 allroad Avant, (Yes, allroad's supposed to be spelt with a 'little' a) but after a rethink to Audi New Zealand's line-up the crossover station wagon is here. And it's made the conventional A6 Avant redundant.
Audi New Zealand has withdrawn the 'blacktop only' A6 Avant from sale in all but RS6 or new allroad form.
On paper the decision makes sense. According to Audi's research, the majority of the A6 Avant demographic wouldn't be deterred from purchasing an allroad, however owners of the previous allroad - many of who are rural purchasers - viewed the A6 as incapable of fulfilling their needs. While the full-size Q7 SUV is simply overkill.
New Zealand being the small market it is, offering both models is hard to justify - so, allroad it is.
Further validation of the distributor's judgement comes after casting your gaze over the allroad's new look. The plastic-lined exterior of it predecessor gives way too much more executive styling in the new model; styling errs heavily toward luxury estate rather than crossover tendencies. Albeit with a slight increase in ground clearance. Air suspension is standard across the range however so the allroad can be set to hunker down 125mm from the ground, improving dynamics on the open road and the looks around town.
The versatility of the vehicle should satisfy image-conscious style gurus and the gummy-wearing horsy set alike. Additionally, the price starts at the same price as the retired A6, but picks up the adaptive suspension package free of charge, ordinarily a $4800 option at the Audi showroom.
Indeed, the allroad ticks all the appropriate boxes in the specification department with 18-inch wheels, six airbags, 3 ISOFIX child restraints, active front headrests front and rear parking aids are all standard fare. The allroad's build quality doesn't let the team down with all interior components falling to hand easily and fitting together with typical Audi snugness.
Active safety also benefits from an ESP system that has been reprogrammed for greater control on loose surfaces (when in off-road mode) and when towing.
The choice of a six cylinder, 3.0 diesel or 4.2 litre petrol V8 spoil potential customers for choice as both are excellently suited this vehicle. Despite the claimed 1.5-second gap in 0-100 times there's little difference in real world performance, the 'slower' diesel is no sloth, reaching the speed limit in a respectable 7.8 seconds. Matched to either engine is a smooth six-speed transmission with paddle changers behind the steering wheel.
The V8 develops 257kW to the turbocharged TDi's 171kW. With crisp response, diesel-rivalling torque at low rpm and epic exhaust note, if based only on driving characteristics alone the V8 - a detuned derivative of the RS4 and R8 supercar's powerplant - would be the favoured power unit.
Here in lies a dilemma, as Audi's price point for the V8 carries a whopping $24,100 premium over the TDi.
To be fair, you also pick up Walnut interior accents, Bluetooth connectivity and an electric steering column with the V8. But the high-tech TDi is worthy of any praise it's given. It's not the resonant rev machine the V8 is, but it'll put a smile on your face nonetheless. As will the $24K balance on the monthly bank statement not to mention the continued savings at the pump for that matter. For our money, the TDi is the logical choice.
No matter what you opt for under the bonnet, the adaptive air suspension system delivers a combination of ride control and handling that will satisfy any driving enthusiast. Even on the lowest 'Dynamic' setting the allroad glides over rough surfaces without jarring or compromise to agility.
On-road agility is the Holy Grail for any vehicle that offers a modicum of off-road nouse; the allroad has it in spades. Audi's technical boffins have really gone to town underneath the vehicle to ensure it's a precise and pleasurable drive.
The air suspension is continuously adjusted according to the inputs from three lateral acceleration sensors and four wheel travel sensors, trapezoidal larms offer resistance to tow/camber changes and the torque sensing differential distributes power between all four wheels instantaneously. All obvious signatures of Audi's commitment to technology.
The allroad is more than a substitute for the defunct A6 Avant; we see it as an evolution.
The TDi allroad is priced $131,900, Audi New Zealand predict an initial 50-50 mix of both petrol and diesel purchases, but at $156,000 for the 4.2 petrol a swing in preference towards the TDi should be evident before long.