AUDI A6 E-TRON AVANT SPECIAL EDITION 210kW 83kWh Edition 1 5dr Auto

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

Rear wiper

Privacy glass

Acoustic glazing for front door windows

Windscreen with heat insulating and acoustic glazing

Brakes

Hill hold assist

Red brake callipers

Front emergency brake assist

Standard steel disc brakes front and rear

Carpets/Rugs

Black carpets

Black front and rear floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Dynamic suspension

Communication

Audi smartphone interface

Audi connect emergency call and service

Audi application store

Audi connect remote and controls

USB ports with charging function in the first and second seat row - 15W output

Driver Aids

Front cross traffic assist

Progressive steering

Driver attention alert system

Rear cross traffic assist

Lane departure warning including emergency assist

Proactive occupant protection

Side assist

Exit warning function

Fatigue monitor

Audi assistant

Audi drive select (Balanced/Individual, effeciency, comfort and dynamic)

Rear turn assist

Swerve assist and front turn assist

Driver Convenience

Luggage compartment lid with Electric opening / closing

Driver Information

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

Audi virtual cockpit plus with 11.9" OLED colour display

MMI 10.9" front passenger touch display

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Black exterior door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Black dashboard

Accent surfaces and control buttons in gloss black

Accents in the interior in vanadium look

Carbon square structure inlays

Upper and lower interior elements in dinamica microfibre

Engine

E-tron sport sound

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Smartphone compartment with wireless charging

Audi sound system - 10 loudspeakers including centre loudspeaker and subwoofer

Exterior Body Features

Black door handle inserts

Roof spoiler

Black diffuser

Rear side wing doors

Electric charging cover

Electrically operated frunk

Trim on roof edge spoiler in black

Door sill trims with aluminium inlays in front with illuminated

Window trim strips and attachments, dark with audi rings, front and rear in anthracite grey

Black single frame ornaments and black air intakes

Exterior Lights

High beam assist

LED third brake light

Headlight cleaning system

Matrix LED headlights

Digital light signature with eight combination of daytime running light

White rhombus logo projection light in exterior mirrors

Illuminated audi rings in rear

LED rear lights pro

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Heat pump

3-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning

Convenience auxiliary air conditioning

Interior Features

Heated steering wheel

Black cloth headlining

Stainless steel pedals and foot rest

3 spoke flat bottomed multi-function leather sport steering wheel with gear shift paddles

Steering wheel with trim in chrome look, S emblem, steering wheel grips in perforated leather and contrast stitching

Manual steering wheel adjustment

Front centre armrest adjustable angle with four settings

Trim elements in the instrument panel and doors in black with contrast stitch in steel grey

Centre armrest, centre console and door armrests in dinamica microfibre black

Packs

Ambient lighting pack - A6 E-TRON

Assist package drive and park plus - A6 E-TRON

Safety

3 point seatbelts on all seats

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Acoustic vehicle alerting system

Tyre pressure loss indicator

Airbags - Front side, front and rear including head

Manual child proof rear door locks

Rear seat alert

ISOFIX child seat mounting for front passenger seat and ISOFIX child seat mounting with Top Tether for outer rear seats

Convenience key with safelock

First aid kit with warning triangle and high visibility vests

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

Occupant detection in rear seat area

Seats

Rear headrests

Front head restraints

Electrically adjustable front seats

40/20/40 split folding 3 rear seat bench in 3 parts with rear centre armrest

Front and rear outer heated seats

4 way electrically adjustable lumbar support for driver and front passenger

Memory function for driver seat

Single front passenger seat

Security

Anti theft alarm

Anti theft wheel bolts

Digital key

Towing

Towbar preparation

Vehicle Charging

Compact e-tron charging system

Wall mounted bracket for compact e-tron charging system

11 kW AC onboard charger

Industrial connector CEE 32A, 230V, long and straight for the e-tron charging system

On-board charger up to 270 KW (DC)

Mode 3 charging cable for public charging, 22 KW (AC)

2 charging ports - Charging port via charging (mode 2 and mode 3) + Charging port via DC charging (mode 4) driver side

Household plug tyre G for the e-tron charging system

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 2400

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 480

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 21

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 225

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 83

NEDC Electricity Consumption kWh/100 km: N

NEDC Maximum EV Range Miles: N

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 534

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 544

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 521

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 16.1

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 15.9

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 16.5

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.9

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.8

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.9

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 332

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 324

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 338

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 75

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 75.8

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 270

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: GH5ABA

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: Edition 1

Coin Description: N

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

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

Special Edition: No

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: 106887

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 44E

Service Interval Mileage: 999999

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 92

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 91

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 75

NCAP Safety Assist %: 80

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 286

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 7

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 6

Top Speed: 130

Engine Power - BHP: 286

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 210

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 321

Engine Torque - NM: 435

Engine Torque - MKG: 44.4

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/40 R21

Tyre Size Rear: 275/35 R21

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 21" ALLOY

Wheel Style: MULTI SPOKE

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4928

Wheelbase: 2950

Width (including mirrors): 2137

Height: 1493

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 2110

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2685

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2100

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 575

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 502

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1422

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.3

Driving Mirrors

Virtual exterior mirrors

Exterior Body Features

Pearlescent paint

Panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency

Metallic paint

Interior Features

Cascade cloth upholstery

Additional Dinamica/leather upholstery with front sports seats S embossed logo

Packs

Storage and luggage compartment pack - A6 E-TRON

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Glacier white

Metallic - Mythos black

Metallic - Plasma blue

Metallic - Siam beige

Metallic - Malpelo blue

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Daytona grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Magnet grey

Towing

Mechanically swivelling trailer towing hitch

Trim - Cloth

Cascade cloth - Black with cardamom beige stitch + front sport seats with waterfall pattern

Trim - Part Leather

Dinamica/leather - Black with steel grey stitching + Front sports seats with embossed 'S' with waterfall pattern

Dinamica/leather - Black with express red stitching + Front sports seats with embossed 'S' with waterfall pattern

Wheels - Alloy

21" 5 arm dynamic black metallic gloss turned finish sport alloy wheels

21" 5 arm dynamic black metallic sport alloy wheels