| Nobody does diesel like Audi. And no-one makes a | | | | worry about with Audi is build quality. Doors shut with a |
| more exciting estate car, either. So put the two | | | | satisfying thud and are perfectly weighted to balance |
| components together and it's one impressive package. | | | | open at a number of points, and shutlines and |
| The car in question is the awesomely powerful, sleek | | | | paintwork are top quality. The Avant's interior is typical |
| and rather beautiful Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro - a | | | | Audi - smart but understated and very tasteful. The |
| V6 diesel-powered luxury estate with devastating | | | | test car's all-leather seats were wide, with long |
| acceleration, the smoothest of smooth deliveries, | | | | cushions and generous side support. Surprisingly in |
| incredibly useful luggage area and the ability to still | | | | such a high-tech car they were manually adjustable |
| return around 33mpg overall. No wonder Audis are so | | | | but could be easily fine-tuned for exactly the right |
| popular. Audi's big A6 Avant estates are even more | | | | position. A low-level dashboard slopes downwards and |
| versatile than their predecessor, being 14cm longer and | | | | takes up little space, so the front of the car doesn't |
| 4.5cm wider, though the sleek roof is actually 1.4cm | | | | seem to remote, and major displays are a stylish white |
| lower, giving it a more sporty side profile. New A6s are | | | | on black for clear readout, though the speedo |
| also considerably more rigid and boast a longer | | | | numbering runs 20/40/60, making the important 30mph |
| wheelbase, so that ride and handling are improved - | | | | and 70mph marks harder to spot. Extra cockpit space |
| and front and rear passengers also gain more knee | | | | is freed up by an electromechanical parking brake - a |
| room. The long, elegant estate version I have been | | | | small and simple trigger lever than can be touched on |
| testing is powered by Audi's amazing 3.0 V6 turbo | | | | and off by fingertip, replacing the traditional |
| diesel engine - just one of Audi's oil burners that is so | | | | cumbersome and dated central handbrake. Delving into |
| hushed and refined that it seems it must be a petrol | | | | the complicated and user-unfriendly information and |
| model. The growling, lightweight engine also has a | | | | audio displays brings up a whole new world of |
| sporty rasp that's decidedly non-diesel and huge | | | | on-screen technology that I really don't have time or |
| performance right through the rev range - it storms to | | | | inclination to scramble my brains over. Yes, I know |
| 62mph in 7.6 seconds and can make it all the way to | | | | there has to be a way of storing and accessing such |
| more than twice the legal UK limit, given the right track | | | | a mountain of information but do we really need it all |
| or autobahn to really opens its lungs and let go. Even | | | | and couldn't it be made easier to use on the move? |
| within our own road restrictions, it's a highly satisfying | | | | But if you have a 10-year-old in the car, they'll probably |
| drive. The A6 Avant always feels well planted on the | | | | think it's a piece of cake... Factfile: Audi A6 Avant 3.0 |
| road, authoritative and commanding, with superb | | | | TDI quattro (A6 prices from |
| steering control and plenty of involvement. On the test | | | | £24,535-£45,000). Even more versatile |
| model, the legendary all-wheel quattro drive enabled | | | | Avant estate now boasts 1,660 litres of load space. |
| the big estate to tackle cornering with complete | | | | Powered by 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine with 233PS and |
| confidence and massive adhesion. Practically, the A6 | | | | six-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox. Ride and |
| Avant is a highly competent luggage lugger. When the | | | | handling benefit from 34 per cent increase in body |
| rear seats are folded, the almost-flat load floor could | | | | rigidity compared with previous model and 83mm extra |
| easily sleep two people side by side if push came to | | | | wheelbase length. Quattro permanent four-wheel drive. |
| shove. The load floor is also bumper-level, making it | | | | Electromechanical parking brake as standard, freeing |
| easy to slide stuff on and off, and chrome slide rails | | | | up space. Light and rain sensor as standard. |
| and a kickplate are classy touches. The floor can also | | | | Speed-dependant servotronic steering as standard. |
| be folded up as a standard feature and be locked in a | | | | Avant luggage capacity 565-1,660 litres. Avant length |
| variety of positions to divide up the load area. A lower | | | | 4933mm. Servicing up to 22,000 miles or two years |
| load area has a large, integrated plastic tray, useful for | | | | for six-cylinder TDI models. Warranty: 3 years/60,000 |
| storing muddy boots etc. One thing you never have to | | | | miles; 3 years paint; 12 years rust protection. |