New Audi A6 goes on a diet

The all-new Audi Avant has been put on a diet – shaving 70Kg "in the interest of efficiency and agility," but the technology and specifications remain fully-loaded. There's a new 313PS bi-turbo V6 TDI engine, due in late 2011, in addition to four petrol and TDI units adopted from the A6 saloon: There's just one petrol engine and three TDI units, developing between 177PS and 300PS – the top figure belonging to the supercharged 3.0 TFSI petrol model. The line-up also includes the 3.0-litre V6 TDI in 204PS and 245PS forms and the even more efficient 177PS 2.0-litre TDI, with its 56.5mpg potential and low 132g/km CO2 output. Then, later in 2011 an all-new 3.0-litre twin-turbo TDI will be the most potent V6 and the fourth diesel-powered option in the range. Thanks to a two-stage turbocharger that delivers a huge maximum boost pressure of up to 3.2 bar, meaning just 5.4 seconds (preliminary value) to reach 62mph from rest. And A6's the new composite aluminium and steel construction means 2.0 TDI model weighs just 1,640kg, 15% less than an all-steel equivalent. There will be a choice of manual, multitronic CVT or S tronic twin-clutch transmissions - multitronic or manual for front-wheel drive models and S tronic for Quattros. Other highlights include Start/Stop technology, new energy-efficient electromechanical power steering, Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system, Multi Media Interface (MMI) screen, Navigation with Google Earth mapping and options like a night vision assistant using a thermal-imaging camera to highlight ‘warm-blooded’ road users in front of the car, a head-up display and a park assist system, Audi's side assist blind spot warning system, the Audi lane assist lane departure detection system and the Bang& Olufsen Advanced Sound System. Two specification levels - SE and S line – will be offered in the UK, each including alloy wheels, leather upholstery, cruise and front and rear parking controls, SD-based satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone preparation, split/folding rear seats and light and rain sensors. S line models will add larger 18-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, sports suspension, upgraded Valcona leather upholstery and an exclusive S line exterior and interior styling treatment. Order books open in the UK in June, priced from £32,100 OTR, with first customer deliveries expected in November 2011. Looks like another Audi Avant cracker... what do you think folks?

A6 Avant 2.0 TDI SE	Manual six-speed, 177PS	£32,100 OTR
A6 Avant 2.0 TDI SE	Multitronic eight-speed 177PS	£33,630 OTR
A6 Avant 3.0 TDI SE	Multitronic eight-speed, 204PS	£36,200 OTR
A6 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro SE	S tronic seven-speed, 245PS	£40,950 OTR
A6 Avant 3.0 TFSI quattro SE	S tronic seven-speed, 300PS	£41,130 OTR
A6 Avant 2.0 TDI S line	Manual six-speed, 177PS	£34,450 OTR
A6 Avant 2.0 TDI S line	Multitronic eight-speed 177PS	£35,980 OTR
A6 Avant 3.0 TDI S line	Multitronic eight-speed, 204PS	£38,550 OTR
A6 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro S line	S tronic seven-speed, 245PS	£43,300 OTR
A6 Avant 3.0 TFSI quattro S line	S tronic seven-speed, 300PS	£43,480 OTR