.jpg?p=120522_05:21)
.jpg?p=120522_05:22)
.jpg?p=120522_05:23)
.jpg?p=120522_05:24)
.jpg?p=111221_03:51)
In the wake of the all-conquering Range Rover Evoque - which we made our car of 2011 - this new Audi A6 allroad quattro seems a bit beige. But it still remains an immensely usable car and one that should question our nation's increasingly insatiable appetite for an all-singing, all-lumbering red-blooded SUV.
That penultimate suffix denotes something rather simple. It is, in a nutshell, a higher riding A6 estate. Or in Audi marketing speak, "...when the asphalt ends, it just keeps on driving".
How? FACTS: the new A6 allroad sits six centimetres higher than the standard estate and uses adaptive air suspension, lowering and raising that smart-looking body by 15mm and 35mm respectively when required. Visual indicators come via wider, flared arches, a single-frame grille, roof rails, together with stainless steel covers protecting the front and rear underbody.
See more pics of the Audi A6 allroad
It only comes as a 3.0-litre V6; Audi is offering the petrol 310bhp V6 that hits 62mph in 5.9 seconds, and three versions of the V6 diesel, in 204bhp, 245bhp and 313bhp variants. That last unit is a twin-turbo and pushes out 479lb ft of torque, coaxing the allroad to go from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds.
As the name suggests, you get all-wheel-drive, and Audi has paired the most powerful diesel to an eight-shifter auto, the other three engines using the seven-speed S tronic ‘box.
It'll go on sale in Germany from Spring 2012, with the entry level diesel costing €54,600 (approx £45k). Do you really need that SUV?
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
Satsuinkyou commented on this article
at 02:45 pm on 11 January 2012
Hint... You never, ever, need that SUV.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
One-Eyed-Jacks commented on this article
at 02:50 pm on 11 January 2012
I've always liked the Allroad. It's the kind of car a guy could own as a single man-about-town, and then when he settles down, marries and has kids, it still is easily adaptable to his new,er, more complex life. My only criticism has been that in the past they have only been powered by a turbocharged motor. At least all of the Allroads I've seen. I'm glad this one is coming with gas powered normally aspirated V6, I'm not a fan of turbos. If it weren't for that I mite very well have considered an Allroad over an A6 in the past.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
minigearhead commented on this article
at 02:52 pm on 11 January 2012
please god no, it can't offroad like the evoque so what's the point?
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
getshpongled commented on this article
at 02:54 pm on 11 January 2012
I guess you would need an SUV, if you were towing a caravan....
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
nissanGT-R2012 commented on this article
at 04:26 pm on 11 January 2012
hmmm... YAAAWWWNN
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.