Author: Robin Roberts
The vagaries of British weather mean you will probably appreciate this summer’s arrival of the latest four-wheel-drive Audi A6 allroad quattro.
As Britain’s unseasonably warm spell ends and snow returns, order books open this week for the third generation A6 allroad quattro with its four-level height adjustable air suspension due to be with us in July.
The new A6 allroad quattro with four powerful V6 engine options is priced from £43,150 to £49,445.
Using the latest Audi ultra lightweight construction principles with aluminium components making up roughly 20 per cent of its body, weight has been reduced by 70 kilograms compared with the previous model.
All engines have direct injection, start-stop system and innovative thermal management, helping to improve fuel economy by as much as 20 per cent.
If you want to drive a petrol A6 allroad, then your option is the 3.0-litre TFSI, with power boosted by a mechanically driven supercharger to 310PS and 440Nm of torque.
It catapults the A6 allroad quattro from rest to 62mph in 5.9 seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph, and yet can still achieve 31.7mpg according to the combined cycle test.
- Read why the Audi A6 Avant is our Best Executive Estate 2012. Click on the link here
In the diesel TDI range there are three 3.0-litre V6 units, the first two of which deliver 204PS with peak torque of 450Nm and 245PS with 580Nm with the help of a single turbocharger. The 204PS version is the model for business drivers, with a combined economy figure of 46.3mpg and CO2 output of 159g CO2/km, despite strong 7.5-second zero to 62mph acceleration. At least for this year, this model will sit below the key 160g/km tax break, both for firms that wish to purchase their business cars and those that want to lease. Company car tax for 2012/13 will be the 26% banding.
Its 245PS counterpart runs it impressively close, with 44.8mpg potential and 165g/km CO2 output combined, along with 6.6-second acceleration. In terms of company car tax, this is a band higher.
The top-ranking diesel, the new BiTDI, uses two turbochargers to inject 313PS and 650Nm, enough to power the A6 allroad to 62mph in just 5.6 seconds on the way to a governed 155mph top speed.
It complements this sports car-style performance with a surprisingly sports car-style engine note that comes courtesy of an innovative sound actuator in an auxiliary channel of the exhaust system, but its economy figures remain resolutely diesel-like, with up to 42.2mpg possible equating to 176g/km CO2 output. Company car tax for 2012/13 will be 29%.
Audi A6 allroad quattro UK Pricing
A6 allroad 3.0 TDI quattro 204PS £43,150
A6 allroad 3.0 TDI quattro 245PS £44,690
A6 allroad 3.0 BiTDI quattro 313PS £49,445
A6 allroad 3.0 TFSI quattro 310PS £45,020
The changes make the new A6 allroad quattro a prime candidate for business car leasing but you need to seek company car advice before signing on the dotted line.