New Audi A6 Avant - In Depth

Page 1 - Design
Page 2 - Engines and transmissions
Page 3 - Engines and transmissions (cont.)
Page 4 - The chassis
Page 5 - The chassis (cont.)
Page 6 - The body
Page 7 - Comfort and communication electronics
Page 8 - Comfort and communication electronics (cont.)
Page 9 - Standard equipment
Page 10 - Optional equipment

Standard equipment

Even with the standard specification, the new Audi A6 Avant comes with a level of equipment which is by no means usual even in the luxury class. This high standard is immediately confirmed by the premium quality of materials and finish, adding a new dimension to luxury in the executive class.

For example, aluminium inlays in the door panels and dashboard as well as aluminium-look features such as the instrument surrounds, the MMI control button and the trim ring around the gearshift or selector lever knob all come as standard.

It goes without saying that electric front and rear windows are part of the standard specification, as are the electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors finished in the body colour. The central locking, comprising not just the doors, but also the windows, boot lid and fuel flap, is operated by remote control.

Seats with manual fore/aft and backrest angle adjustment as well as adjustment of seat height, inclination, belt height and the head restraint provide both the driver and front passenger with good side support and a high standard of comfort. The rear-seat backrest can be folded down either in an asymmetric 1/3 : 2/3 split or completely.

The seats are upholstered in Meridian cloth as standard. On the A6 Avant 4.2 quattro, the electrical adjustment of seat functions and the lumbar support as well as Volterra leather upholstery are also part of the standard package.

Deluxe automatic air conditioning with sun sensor and separate temperature controls for driver and front passenger ensures the highest level of comfort in all Audi A6 Avant models. A6 Avant 4.2 models come as standard with deluxe automatic air conditioning plus comprising a wide range of additional functions.

Your luggage also travels Business Class in the new Audi A6 Avant. Inside, this is emphasised both by the materials and finish of the luggage compartment and by its entirely new securing concept. Countless meticulously thought-out details set the benchmark for this class thanks to their versatility and variability.

All new A6 Avant versions have two securing rails recessed into the floor of the level, 1.05 metre wide load area (through-loading width). These are fitted with a total of four sliding, adjustable and lockable lashing eyes which can be used to secure items of luggage of practically any size to suit individual needs. All A6 Avant versions have bag hooks integrated into the luggage compartment trim, as well as an additional luggage net to one side and a 12-volt power socket. A lockable side compartment can be supplied as an optional extra, for keeping objects hidden from prying eyes.

The load floor can be folded up as a standard feature and can be locked in a variety of positions to divide up the load area. This not only provides scope for stowing objects between the rear seat backrest and the raised floor to prevent them from sliding around, but also provides access to the lower load area, into which a large plastic tray is integrated.

A feature that none of the competitors has to offer is the Multi Media Interface Ã¢â‚¬Å“MMI basicÃ¢â‚¬Â' comprising not only the 6.5-inch monochrome display, but also an integrated radio with CD player and two two-way speakers.

Halogen headlights in free-form technology with clear-glass covers, electrical headlight range control and a parking light function provide intensive and homogeneous illumination of the road ahead. Fog lamps in the front air dam are a further standard feature.

A light and rain sensor which controls the windscreen wipers and low-beam headlights fully automatically is also part of the standard specification. The light sensor comprises the Ã¢â‚¬Å“coming home/leaving homeÃ¢â‚¬Â' function, a mechanism for switching on the carÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s lights automatically or switching them off automatically after a specified delay when getting in and out of the car.

The comprehensive, all-round safety concept of the new A6 generation is also exemplary Ã¢â‚¬â€œ as confirmed by the saloon in November 2004 when it received the highest score of 5 stars in the Euro NCAP test. It goes without saying that the new A6 Avant also meets the same high standards.

In the event of a collision the car's occupants are effectively protected by the robust structure of the body with predefined deformation and a highly stable passenger cell. Full-size front airbags and front side airbags as well as the head airbag system sideguard in conjunction with three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats, belt tensioners and belt-force limiters at the front offer both driver and passengers effective protection at all times.

The two full-size front airbags are activated in two stages, depending on the severity of the accident. Active front head restraints fitted as standard help to protect the occupants in a collision from behind.

Active safety benefits from the latest-generation electronic stabilisation program ESP 8.0 complete with hydraulic brake assist, anti-lock brake system ABS, electronic brake-force distribution EBD, the traction control system ASR and the electronic differential lock EDL.

New: the emergency braking function alerts vehicles behind to potential hazards by activating the hazard warning lights when the brakes are applied hard. Understeering control has been further optimised: when the vehicle understeers, the system no longer brakes just the two wheels on the inside of the bend; the brakes are applied to individual or even to all four wheels simultaneously, depending on the situation. This reduces the radius of the curve and the vehicle is kept reliably on track.

The trailer stabilisation function uses the ESP sensors to detect any swinging of the trailer and to stabilise it by automatically actuating the brakes.

The electromechanical parking brake provides a parking brake function when the car is stationary, a starting assist function by automatically releasing the brakes when pulling away and an emergency braking function at all four wheels when driving.

Also featured as standard, servotronic steering is a particular pleasure to use in combination with the new-generation four-spoke leather steering wheel which can be adjusted both vertically and axially.

16-inch cast aluminium wheels of 9-arm design, fitted with 205/60 R 16 tyres, are standard even on the basic versions of the new A6 Avant. The high-performance six-cylinder 3.2 FSI and 3.0 TDI models ride on forged lightweight wheels of 7-arm dynamic design, shod with 225/55 R16 tyres. The most powerful Audi A6 Avant, the 4.2 quattro, is fitted with 17-inch wheels of 16-spoke design and size 225/50 R17 tyres.