THE achingly elegant new Audi A6 Avant will debut this summer with hybrid technology.
Audi calls it mild hybridisation of its four and six-cylinder TDI and TFSI engines powering the Avant. The effect is to provide improved economy in real world driving conditions.
The mild hybrid technology works by recovering energy during braking. This energy is then stored in a separate lithium-ion battery that also enables engine-off coasting at speeds of between 34mph and 99mph to conserve fuel.
All new Audi A6 Avant models will feature either seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch or eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmissions.
Turning to the heart of the matter, the new A6 Avant matches the outgoing car for luggage capacity. It offers a loading width of 1,050 millimetres and a capacity of 565 litres in five-seat mode, increasing to 1,680 litres with the standard 40:20:40 backrests folded down.
The tailgate and the luggage compartment cover open electrically as standard, and an optional sensor is available for the tailgate which enables it to be opened using a simple movement of the foot.
The A6 Avant comes will feature a comprehensive package of safety systems incorporating the latest in lighting, assistance and passive safety technology.
There are three headlight formats, the most sophisticated being the HD Matrix LED headlights, recognisable by the five horizontal lines which form the daytime running light signature. Upgraded tail lights with a special light signature made up of a single horizontal line and nine vertical segments for each unit are available. When unlocking and locking the doors, they initiate a pulsing coming and leaving home sequence to emphasise their technological sophistication.
Inside, an ambient lighting package is standard, and can be replaced optionally by the contour ambient lighting package offering a variety of shades of light to subtly animate the space, the volume and the materials.
A range of driver assistance systems, divided into “City assist” and “Tour” packs is also available. The City assist pack includes features such as the new crossing assist system, while the Tour pack offers adaptive cruise assist, which supplements the adaptive cruise control by means of gentle steering intervention to keep the vehicle in lane.
Efficiency assist, also part of the Tour pack, promotes an economical driving style, predictively factoring in speed limits, bends, roundabouts and – if route guidance is active – turnings as part of the cruise control function and also providing haptic feedback via the active throttle pedal.
Other features include Audi’s MMI touch infotainment system with either 8.8-inches colour screen in standard form or 10.1 inches where the optional MMI navigation plus upgrade has been specified.
Other optional features include the Audi Phone Box supporting Voice-over-LTE protocol, and the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System delivering 3D sound clarity through a total of 15 loudspeakers.
The new Audi A6 Avant will be available from the summer.
