Audi's A6 sedan came storming out of the blocks last fall, and for '99, the momentum-gaining lineup will be bolstered by this handsome wagon variant. Our first hands-on encounter with the A6 Avant took place in Biarritz, France. Although trim details on the Euro-spec models we drove differed from the version we'll see here in the United States, the basic package will remain largely intact.
Sharing all key mechanicals with its sedan kin, the U.S.-spec Avant carries Audi's 2.8-liter/200-horsepower 30-valve SOHC V-6 underhood linked to a five-speed Tiptronic transmission. While there's talk of offering it here with steering-wheel-mounted shifter buttons, as well, no final decision has yet been made. All Avants sold in America also will be fitted with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
The short story on performance and handling: If you like the A6 sedan, you'll be a big fan of the Avant. It proved particularly surefooted in Quattro guise, displaying good directional stability and balance plus a smooth, compliant ride. Like the A6 four-door, the new wagon boasts a huge list of standards that includes anti-lock brakes, front/side airbags, a dual-zone climate control system, trip computer, and a full range of power amenities.
In addition to the sedan's tastefully understated interior trappings, the Avant adds a major utility boost in the form of its spacious rear bay, which can swallow from 34 to 79 cubic feet of cargo depending on how one configures the split-folding rear seat. The newest A6 also will offer a kid-size two-place rear-facing third-row bench as an option. This pert perch is far more useful than the one offered in the previous Avant and can be folded over to one side or easily removed when not needed. Along with special hot weather, cold weather, enhanced security, and convenience packages, the Avant will offer single options that include leather upholstery (in place of standard cloth or leatherette), a high-end Bose stereo with CD changer, and a dedicated hands-free telephone.
Already on sale in Europe, the new A6 Avant is slated to arrive in Audi showrooms around June. Pricing has yet to be finalized, but the U.S. model is expected to start between $36,000 and $38,000.
As icing on the cake, we also sampled the hottest version of the A6 Avant, a Euro-only model powered by a 230-horse biturbo version of Audi's 2.7-liter SOHC V-6. While not due here in the immediate future, Audi execs admit that it could see service in the U.S. at a later date. Also fitted with a Tiptronic shifter and the Quattro system, this higher-velocity hauler possessed all the utility of its naturally aspirated 2.8-liter kin, but with even more gusto. Overkill? Perhaps, but of the very best kind. Keep your fingers crossed.