The new Audi A6 Avant rolls off the assembly line in Neckarsulm, we took the time to compare the new vehicle with its own predecessor, but also with the two toughest market competitors. At Audi they say that you call beautiful station wagons Avant, but there are also touring or estate models, right? You call it comparison? We call it the new AutoHub test.
Engine & power - the Audi A6 Avant (C8) in the AutoHub comparison
The Audi A6 Avant predecessor model could be configured with many different gasoline and diesel units. The performance range was in series models between 136 and 333 PS. The diesel share for approvals in Germany was approx. 80%.
It is no wonder that the new car has three diesel engines at the market launch. If we simply leave out the new cryptic performance data on the rear (45 TDI, 50 TDI etc.), then 2.0 liter 4-cylinder and 3.0 liter 6-cylinder remain under the hood. The output is currently between 204 and 286 horsepower, further engines will follow after the market launch, they are currently stuck in the WLTP loop and have not yet been released. The approved engines, however, all meet the strict Euro 6d-Temp emissions standard. The smaller motors deliver the power via a 7-speed S tronic, the larger via an 8-speed automatic. Optionally, the power is still distributed across all four 17-21 ″ wheels. According to the measurement sheet, the new engines have become cleaner and more efficient than their predecessors.
Audi A6 Avant 50 TDI quattro driving impression
For our test drive from Frankfurt to Neckarsulm, we chose the Audi A6 Avant 50 TDI quattro. Here is the currently most powerful unit, a 286 hp 3.0 liter 6-cylinder diesel. Smooth running, 500 Nm strong and pleasantly quiet inside. Like all current models, the new Audi A6 Avant has a synthetic steering in terms of feedback, otherwise it is direct. The brake system has a pleasant pressure point and the braking force can be metered well. The comfort depends on the chosen suspension, with air suspension you hardly feel the loss of comfort due to the 20 ″ tires, with the dynamic steering you can reduce the turning circle of 11,1 meters by one meter, making the Audi A6 Avant really agile.
Dimensions and trunk - The Audi A6 Avant (C8) in the AutoHub comparison
The predecessor is 4,92 meters long, without exterior mirrors 1,87 meters wide (including exterior mirrors 2,08) and 1,46 meters high. The wheelbase is 2,91 meters. Leer brings the Audi A6 Avant (C7) between 1,67 and just over two tons on the scales. The trailer load is specified with 1400-2100 kg. The trunk volume of 565 liters could be increased by turning the rear seat backs to 1680 liters.
Purely from the facts and data, the new Audi A6 Avant (C8) is more of a cosmetic change in that point. The wheelbase and height have remained almost identical. The new model is two centimeters longer, with outside mirrors - which are now sitting on the doors and no longer in the window frame - but also three centimeters wider. This brings with it a small but fine problem: The new Audi A6 Avant (C8) is too wide for most motorway construction sites.
This ends at 2,10 meters. Even if many construction sites are now getting wider (2,20 meters) and the latest generation Audi A6 Avant is allowed to go back into the left lane, this would have been known during development, design, final acceptance and in our opinion need to fix. Even if Audi is not alone on the track with its “too wide” vehicles, because the market competitor from Munich, the BMW 5 Series Touring, is 2,12 meters too wide for the left lane on the construction site and that Fate does not apply to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class as a T-model, because it is just 2,06 meters wide including the exterior mirror.
Everything in the interior is of high quality and everything you need to touch and handle feels good too. The two large displays for infotainment and climate control pollute heavily in no time, so you should always carry a good cleaning cloth with you or keep your hands off and control the vehicle via the voice, but then you do not feel the haptic feedback that the displays can convey.
The space is, as with the market companions also more than adequate, four adults drive comfortably over longer distances and enjoy, depending on the equipment line, if necessary, on Kontour seats with memory and massage function.
When it comes to Vorsprung durch Technik, Audi wants to score points, for which there are up to 39 assistance systems that are designed to make life not only easier but also safer. From the intersection assistant to the cross traffic warning system to an adaptive speed assistant. High beam assistant, night vision assistant, traffic sign assistant and efficiency assistant. The Audi A6 Avant warns of course when changing lanes, initiates emergency braking if necessary and therefore also has the two visible sensors on the front. One of them is a laser, which is attached there because, unlike the radar sensor, it has to “see”.
Audi A6 Avant (C8) trunk volume
The boot volume has remained the same or has grown only minimally, compared to its predecessor, this is 6 liters for the new Audi A8 Avant (C565). If you reverse the rear seat backrests, which is optionally possible in the ratio 40: 20: 40, a load volume of up to 1680 liters is also available.
Compared to its strongest competitors (Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5er Touring), Audi is losing out here.
The new Audi A6 Avant (C8) compared to the current Mercedes-Benz E-Class (T-model)
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a trunk volume of 640 liters, you put the rear seat backs to increase the load volume to 1820 liter.
The cheapest Audi A6 Avant you can currently order from 51.650 Euro. The E-Class rolls as a T-model from 48.248,55 Euro off the line. The engines currently have a range between 184 and 612 PS in the petrol engine (including the E 63 S 4MATIC + T model) and 150 to 340 PS in the auto-igniters used.
All engines meet the Euro 6d-TEMP emission standard, and the gears are changed via an 9 automatic transmission. With the fastest Mercedes-Benz E-Class T-model, the E 63 S 4MATIC +, which has a 4.0 liter V8 petrol engine, it's time to move to country road speed within 3,5 seconds. The maximum torque of 850 Nm provides a temporary face lift during acceleration. Now it is time for Audi to reload the RS6.
The new Audi A6 Avant (C8) compared to the current BMW 5er Touring
Even the 5 BMW Touring has a trunk volume of 570 liters. So still five liters more than the new Audi A6 Avant (C8). Folded seat backs in the rear provide for the 5er BMW Touring for an increase to 1700 liters, here too the Munich trumps the Neckarsulmer, if only just.
From 51.100 Euro it starts at the 5er Touring, under the hood comes a power range between 184 and 340 PS in the gasoline and between 190 and 400 PS in the diesels. The fastest diesel accelerates the 5er Touring from 4,6 to 0 km / h within 100 seconds.
And finally ... Undeniably! All three vehicles have their own charm, their individual qualities. If you let hard facts speak, then you have to opt for the E-Class as a T-model, because this vehicle brings for a company car, which is likely to arrive most of the time on the highway, not only the largest trunk but also the fact with it being allowed on the left lane in most motorway construction sites.
From a price point of view everyone is playing in the same league, in the end some controller has to check off the new application for a company car. Of many optionalities you have to say goodbye, because they drive up the prices in all three models. For all models, there are LED headlights with high beam assistants, there are numerous connectivity solutions for all models and if we did not talk about a station wagon, then the subjective taste would probably decide and the new Audi A6 Avant looks really good with its wide backs especially if you just "hide" the tailpipe dummy.
Conclusion of the AutoHub test: When it comes to space in the trunk - and we take that for a station wagon, touring, T-model, Avant, the main criterion is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class T-model in front of the 5-series BMW Touring in front of the new Audi A6 Avant.
