The new A6 Avant makes its world debut in Berlin this week, promising more luggage space and – thanks to substantially reduced weight – better fuel efficiency. Later this year, a potent, all-new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 TDI will be added to the range.

The low weight of the A6 Avant comes courtesy of the generous use of aluminium components, making up some 20 per cent of the body. Hence gross weight has been reduced by as much as 70kg, depending on the engine. At UK launch in June, there will be one petrol engine and three TDI units to choose from, ranging from 177PS to the 300PS of the supercharged 3.0 TFSI petrol model.

However, some buyers will want to wait for the arrival of the 313PS twin-turbo V6 TDI model, due later in 2011. Thanks to a two-stage turbocharger that delivers boost of up to 3.2 bar, the A6 Avant flagship will take an estimated 5.4 seconds to reach 62mph.

At 4.93m long, 1.87m wide and 1.46m high, the all-new Avant offers an increased carrying capacity of up to 1680 litres (with the rear seatbacks folded), plus an optional feature which allows the luggage compartment to be opened automatically, simply by ‘gesturing’ with a foot to two sensors beneath the rear bumper. Other options include a head-up display, Bluetooth internet connection and MMI Navigation Plus with MMI touch.

Transmissions are a choice of manual or multitronic CVT (front-wheel drive models) or S tronic twin-clutch (quattro models).

UK orders for the all-new Audi A6 Avant open in June, priced from £32,100 OTR. The first customer deliveries are scheduled for November 2011.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Audi