Audi A6 Avant – 2018
By Ian Strachan
The latest Audi A6 Avant is a real smoothie. Smooth good looks, smooth ride and handling, and smooth power delivery.
And it’s big – longer and wider than most of its competitors with an impressively large loadspace.
I drove the sizzling six-cylinder 3.0 286bhp quattro diesel version, with a smooth, direct injection engine which can return nearly 49 miles to the gallon in mixed driving, despite being a big unit powering a big car.
This easy-revving engine will take you from 0-60 in less than five and a half seconds. Married to an ultra smooth eight speed tiptronic automatic gearbox it gives excellent sporty performance when you want it, and a smooth and sedate ride on long journeys.
Ride and handling are both refined and composed, with sure-footed cornering, even at speed. The Quattro permanent four wheel drive set-up means confident handling and superb grip in all weathers.
Inside, the new A6 Avant is roomy in the extreme, particularly in the back. Controls are well laid out and clear, with a display screen which shows radio and climate control settings. The leather sports seats are supremely comfortable.
Loadspace is as impressive as the interior of this roomy car, with a low loading sill and little wheel arch intrusion. There’s 565 litres of carrying capacity behind a powered tailgate.
Standard equipment includes cruise control, parking sensors with rear camera, satnav and an excellent sound system, automatic light and wiper activation, automatic climate control and electrically operated and heated door mirrors.
My test vehicle was also fitted with 20-inch five-spoke alloys, a panoramic glass sunroof, adaptive air suspension, an up-rated sound system, a 73-litre fuel tank, metallic paint along with comfort and technology packs. All this brings the on the road price to £64,825. The same car without the extras is £51,370, so you pay a high price for creature comforts.
That apart, this is an excellent, high performance car that is extremely comfortable and will look good on your drive.
