AUDI A6 AVANT SPECIAL EDITIONS 2.0 TDI Quattro 204 Launch Edition 5dr S Tronic

Audi rejuvenates its big A6 Avant estate - for those who don't want an EV. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Audi proves that - for the moment - it also remains committed to combustion power, at least with this car, the rejuvenated C9-generation A6 Avant. It's not the most practical large premium badged estate you could choose, but it's the sleekest, possibly the smartest and certainly the nicest to sit in.

Background

You might not expect the most aerodynamic combustion model Audi has ever made to be a big A6 Avant estate, this six generation C9-series model. But perhaps you should. Slippery bodywork has always been a calling card of this model line. The very first C4-series version of 1994 was a re-badged version of the most slippery big car of the '80s and '90s, the Audi 100. And the first bespoke design with an A6 badge, the C5-series model of 1997, set another new standard for how slippery a big estate could be. It's successors, the C6 design of 2004, the C7 model of 2011 and this current car's predecessor, the C8 design of 2018, continued the trend of form over function. Customers could fit much more in a rival Mercedes E-Class Estate, but the A6 Avant always vastly out-sold that model in our market, whilst also trumping the other big segment player, BMW's 5 Series Touring. This C9-generation model, announced in early 2025, was originally supposed to switch to 'A7' badging so as not to cause confusion with the all-electric A6 Avant e-tron launched in 2024. But a last-minute change of policy by Audi saw this combustion model keep the 'A6' moniker. It's still offered in diesel form as well as in petrol guise - it'll actually be one of the last diesel models Audi will ever launch. And there's a saloon version too. But here our focus is on the Avant.

Engines and Tech Spec

In a market where rivals are starting to wonder whether they should have been quite so hasty in dropping diesel power, this A6 Avant celebrates the black pump, reserving arguably its most sophisticated engine tech for the TDI version, which uses the company's usual four cylinder 2.0-litre unit. As with the A5 Avant, this means installation of the brand's MHEV plus system, which offers a big step forward from Ingolstadt's previous mild hybrid technology. For one thing, it uses a much bigger e-motor, providing 24PS and 230Nm of torque. For another, it acts as more than just a starter generator, also able to drive the car on its own at parking speeds. Plus, using a brake-by-wire set-up, the system can also regenerate energy at up to 25kW, so the compact lithium battery will always be topped up. As we said, the 2.0 TDI unit in question is a familiar one - and the quattro 4WD system it must be paired with is familiar too. Total output is 204PS, which is the same as the alternative four cylinder engine on offer, the 2.0 TFSI petrol. This can only be front-driven and makes 62mph in 8.3s en route to 144mph, respectively 1.3s and 5mph slower than the diesel. The UK won't get the 3.0 V6 TFSI petrol unit offered on the continent. But we will in future see a range of Plug-in Hybrid TFSI e powertrains, including those likely to be used in the future high performance S6 and RS 6 models. Audi claims drive dynamics have been improved with this C9-generation design. To that end, there's a stiffer torsion bar, stiffer control arm bushings, a more rigid steering rack and increased front camber. All of this is supposed to improve steering feel and road feedback. Plus the sleeker bodywork should help refinement.

Design and Build

This is by far the most dynamic-looking A6 Avant there's ever been. With its lower roof line and pumped-up wheel arches, even an entry-level variant appears to have an S6-vibe. Aerodynamics have been prioritised over practicality, resulting in a low drag coefficient of just 0.25Cd. So it's just as well that the 4,990mm body length is a full 60mm longer than the previous C8-series model. The front end borrows cues from the A6 e-tron and the e-tron GT, with the familiar Audi rings moved from the enormous grille up to the bonnet and the headlights placed higher and wider across the new nose. The sculpted rear has a striking light bar that sits below bright brake lights with OLED panels. Wheel sizes are between 18 and 21-inches. Inside, Audi serves up most premium-feeling cabin in the segment, its architecture similar to recent models like the A6 e-tron, the Q6 e-tron and the Q5 (all developed at much the same time). Which means a huge central fascia panel called the 'digital stage' that houses an 11-inch instrument screen and a 14.5-inch central infotainment monitor in a single curved housing. There's no lower centre stack screen as in the old model, but customers can specify an optional 10.9-inch passenger side display. As long as you don't mind shiny black trimming, you should feel it to be all quite high-end, with high quality soft-touch finishes and leather-like materials wherever you look. There are some nice tech touches, like the optional 'dynamic' sunroof which can be switched between translucent and clear - and also has an interim slatted 'pergola' mode. We're pleased to see the retention of some proper physical controls around the dashboard too. Rear seat space is impressive; even a lanky passenger stuck behind a tall driver will have plenty of leg room. And the swept-back roof line doesn't seem to compromise head space too much. It has though, affected boot space, which once the kick-operated tailgate rises is revealed as 503-litres (down from 565-litres in the old car). That figure rises to 1,534-litres with the rear seats down. These are the smallest-capacity figures in the class, but Audi thinks they'll be quite sufficient for the target market. Thanks to its width of 1,050mm, this is at least a practical space - two large suitcases can fit in side by side. The standard 40:20:40 folding rear seats enable variable loading for items such as ski equipment. A rail system and a partition net come included. 

Market and Model

Let's get to the pricing, pitched from launch from £52,510. There are the usual 'Sport', 'S line' and 'Edition 1' trim levels. Opt for mid-range 'S line' trim (as most customers will) and you'll be offered the change to find an extra £2,650 to get Audi's optional 'Sound and Vision Pack'. This includes a head-up display, headrest speakers, increased charging capacity for the USB ports and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with 3D sound. The pack also includes Audi's 'ambient lighting package pro' set-up, which means you get the useful 'dynamic interaction light' which arches around the top of the dash and illuminates in different colours to warn you of safety issues, drive mode selections or 'phone settings. Many customers will also want to pay extra for the optional 'dynamic' panoramic sunroof. Matrix LED headlights come as standard - with a choice of seven digital light signatures for the daytime running lights at the front. Alloy wheel rim sizes range from 18 to 21 inches across the range. The central screen has the latest version of the "Hey Audi" voice-activated Audi assistant, which puts you on speaking terms with numerous vehicle and infotainment functions, from adjusting heating to weather information. And you can control a lot of these features remotely via the my Audi app. 'S line' models get sport exterior touches. And a few well-chosen sporty cabin embellishments, including branded contoured front sports seats. All the usual camera driver assistance safety systems you'd expect are of course included.

Cost of Ownership

Expect around 45mpg on the combined cycle and around 140g/.km of CO2 from the TDI diesel; obviously, you'll do a little worse than that with the 2.0 TFSI petrol version. The key engineering efficiency development with this new A6 Avant is, as we told you in our 'Driving' section, the new 'MHEV plus' mild hybrid system that features on the diesel versions. This is based on a 48-volt on-board electrical system that supports the combustion engine and reduces CO2 emissions while increasing performance. Its added powertrain generator (the 'PTG') enables electric driving components that contribute to a reduction in fuel consumption. The 'MHEV plus' system offers advantages in CO2 emissions compared to the previous MHEV set-up. Over the WLTP driving cycle, these total up to 10g/km of CO2 in the 2.0 TDI. The PTG can also add up to 24PS of electric power to the output of the combustion engine. When decelerating, the PTG feeds energy back into the battery at up to 25kW. As a result, purely electric manoeuvring and parking are possible to a limited extent. Thanks to the option of using an electric air conditioning compressor, the air conditioning system can also be operated when the vehicle is stopped at traffic lights and the combustion engine is switched off. With the integrated and blending-capable brake control system, the brake pedal and the brake hydraulics can be completely decoupled. In models with the 'MHEV plus' system, it achieves the necessary deceleration without using the friction brakes thanks to regenerative braking. This means that deceleration is initially achieved solely by recuperation. The friction brakes only kick in when the brake pedal is pressed harder. The brake feel remains unaffected by this.

Summary

This, even BMW and Mercedes would reluctantly have to admit, is a beautiful piece of engineering. It always has been. The A6 Avant was, after all, the first cars in its class to offer things like bonded-in flush glazing, a galvanised bodyshell, V6 TDI power, four wheel drive and advanced twin-clutch automatic gearboxes. And in this improved smart-suited sixth generation C9-series guise, the cleverness continues, an extra dose of visual charisma blended with high technology and premium quality unsurpassed in this sector. This car's drawbacks, such as they are, don't appear to bother many potential buyers. No it's still not the most spacious large executive estate in its class - but these days, it's large enough for that not to matter. Yes, the extras can be expensive, but then that's the case with any premium executive car. And it's true that the handling still isn't especially aimed at driving enthusiasts, though you can go a long way towards sharpening it by ticking the right options boxes. This then, is a very complete product, perhaps a fitting sign-off for the combustion A6 Avant model line, if that's what this C9-era design is. A thorough case, if ever there was one, of vorsprung durch technic.

Body Glass

Windscreen with heat insulating and acoustic glazing

Electric front/rear windows

Rain and light sensors

Rear wiper

Rear and side windows with heat insulating glass

Acoustic glazing for the door and side windows

Privacy glass

Brakes

EBD - Electronic brakeforce distribution

Electromechanical parking brake

Red brake calipers

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) including ABS, ASR and EDL

Carpets/Rugs

Black front and rear floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Sports suspension

Communication

Audi smartphone interface includes wireless Apple carplay/Android Auto

Audi connect emergency call and service

Audi connect with Amazon Alexa Integration

Audi application store

Voice control system

Audi phone box with wireless charging

Bluetooth interface

Driver Aids

Audi drive select

Lane departure warning with emergency assist

Side assist and exit warning with rear cross-traffic assist and rear turn assist

Power assisted steering

Audi digital key

Audi assistant

Adaptive cruise assist plus

Driver Convenience

Automatic start/stop system with coasting functionality

Driver Information

MMI navigation plus with high resolution 14.5" OLED touchscreen colour display

Service interval indicator

MMI 10.9" front passenger touch display

Audi virtual cockpit

Driving Mirrors

Door mirrors - electrically adjustable, heated, folding and auto dimming on both sides

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Frameless auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Embellishment Trims

Carbon square structure inlays

Upper and lower interior elements in dinamica microfibre

Accents in the interior in aluminium look

Engine

Quattro with ultra technology

Entertainment

USB ports with charging function

Audi sound system impressive sound with 10 loudspeakers including centre speaker and subwoofer, 6-channel amplifier with a total output of 180 watts

DAB Digital radio

Exterior Body Features

Exhaust-pipe in dark chrome

Black door handle inserts

Rear side wing doors

S line exterior styling

Black roof rails

Front illuminated door sill trims with aluminium inlay

Exterior Lights

White rhombus logo projection light in exterior mirrors

Dipped beam, main beam, position light, dynamic indicator and cornering light

Automatic-dynamic headlight range control

Dynamic light scenarios of the coming home/leaving home function when stationary

Audi Matrix LED technology

LED rear lights pro incl. brake lights, tail lights, rear number plate lights, reversing lights, continuous light strip

LED third brake light

Headlight cleaning system

LED headlights Plus incl. digital daytime running lights, turning light, all-weather light, motorway light, manouevring light and intersection light

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

4 zone deluxe automatic climate control

Interior Features

Net partition

3-spoke Sport leather steering wheel flat top and bottom with multifunction and shift paddles

Manual steering wheel adjustment

Stainless steel pedals and footrest

Centre armrest, front- adjustable angle with four settings

Dinamica microfibre/Artificial leather upholstery

Packs

Ambient lighting package pro - A6

Black exterior package - A6

Drive and Park assistance package - A6

Protective warning assistance package - A6 Launch Edition

Safety

Seatbelt monitoring

Electric rear child safety lock

Proactive occupant protection, front, side and rear

Side airbags in front and rear with head airbag system and front interaction airbag

Acoustic vehicle alerting system

Driver and front passenger airbags

3x3 point rear seat belts

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Black seat belts

First aid kit with warning triangle and vests

Seats

Electrically adjustable front seats

Single front passenger seat

Sport front seats

4 way electric lumbar support for driver and front passenger

Front head restraints

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Rear headrests

Heated front seats

i-Size child seat mounting on the front passenger side and outer rear seats, i-Size and top tether on the outer rear seats

40:20:40 split folding rear seat bench with centre armrest and cup holders

Security

Anti theft alarm

Keyless Go

Anti-theft wheel bolts

Immobiliser

Remote central locking

Towing

Towbar preparation

Wheels - Alloy

21" Multi spoke twist audi sport alloy wheels in black metallic

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 148

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 148

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 148

Engine and Drive Train

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Gears: 7 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Catalytic Convertor: No

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Camshaft: DOHC

CC: 1968

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 49.6

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 49.6

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 49.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 5.7

General

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: No

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 40E

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 88

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 78

NCAP Safety Assist %: 77

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Badge Power: 204

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

AdBlue: No

Generation Mark: 6

Coin Description: TDI Quattro 204

Coin Series: Launch Edition

Performance

Engine Power - RPM: 3800

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 204

Top Speed: 147

Engine Power - KW: 150

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 295

Engine Torque - NM: 400

Engine Torque - MKG: 40.8

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7

Engine Torque - RPM: 1750

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Wheel Type: 21" ALLOY

Wheel Style: MULTI SPOKE

Tyre Size Front: 255/35 R21

Tyre Size Rear: 255/35 R21

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Vehicle Dimensions

Width (including mirrors): 2099

Wheelbase: 2932

Length: 4999

Height: N

Height (including roof rails): 1491

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 68

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2000

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 625

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 466

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2625

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.3

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1497

Minimum Kerbweight: 2000

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Pearlescent paint

Special metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Grenadine red

Metallic - Mythos black

Metallic - Firmament blue

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Daytona grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Arkona white

Paint - Special

Special metallic - Ascari blue

Trim - Cloth

Dinamica microfibre/Artificial leather - Black with steel grey stitching + black headlining, carpet and dashboard + S embossed