2025 Audi A6 revealed as petrol and diesel Avant wagon

03/04/2025 04:25 PM

Audi has unveiled the next generation of its BMW 5 Series competitor – the 2025 Audi A6 – which keeps petrol and diesel power under its current badge after a late backflip on a proposed name change.

The new petrol and diesel-engined A6 – shown first in Avant wagon form – was previously planned to switch to the A7 name, leaving the A6 badge free for the unrelated A6 e-tron electric car.

It formed part of plans to give non-electric Audis odd-numbered names, commenced with the smaller A5 liftback and wagon with which the A6 seen here shares its ‘PPC’ underpinnings, technology and styling cues.

Those plans were scrapped one month ago, leaving Audi’s second-largest passenger car with the name it has worn since 1994.

MORE: Audi backflips on odds-and-evens naming strategy to split electric from combustion models

Power comes from a range of four-cylinder and V6 engines fuelled by petrol or diesel, ahead of a new-generation RS6 flagship reportedly planned to move from V8 to plug-in hybrid V6 propulsion.

Australian showroom arrival timing is yet to be confirmed, but local buyers may need to wait until a higher-riding A6 Allroad or hotter S6 becomes available as a conventional A6 wagon has not been sold locally for a decade.

A new A6 sedan – either with a conventional boot lid, or a hatchback tailgate – is due to follow at a later date.

The new internal combustion-engined A6 draws styling cues from other new Audis, with smoother surfaces than its predecessor, more restrained air intakes, and a full-width light bar.

Flagship versions are equipped with matrix LED headlights – offering 48 LED segments and a choice of seven selectable signatures – as well as digital OLED tail-lights that can display warning triangles or other symbols to cars behind.

S Line variants gain sportier bumpers and the option of black badges, while alloy wheels between 18 and 21 inches in diameter are available.

Measuring 4.99 metres long and 1.88 metres wide – on a 2927mm wheelbase – the new A6 is said to be 60mm longer bumper to bumper, but almost identical between its front and rear axles.

It’s claimed to be the most aerodynamically-efficient Audi wagon ever, while measures such as 30 per cent more sound deadening at no weight penalty, foam in the tyres, and new engine mount bushings are said to reduce noise and vibration.

Boot space is quoted at up to 503 litres, with up to 1534L available in the cargo area – fitted with a rail system and partition net – once the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats are lowered.

Inside, the A6 borrows from other new Audi models with three screens: an 11.9-inch instrument display, a 14.5-inch central infotainment touchscreen, and an optional 10.9-inch passenger-side touchscreen.

The touch displays run new software based on Android Automotive – more akin to a version of the Android operating system used on a smartphone, rather than the Android Auto app in most new cars – with over-the-air software updates.

Occupants can download apps such as Spotify and YouTube through an in-car app store, while the passenger screen features a ‘privacy mode’ allowing videos to be streamed without the driver being able to see them.

ChatGPT is built into the infotainment system to answer voice command prompts, and it is expected there will be wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Technology on offer includes a head-up display with an 85 per cent larger visible image area than before, and a panoramic sunroof with nine segments that can switch from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button.

Buyers can order seats trimmed in Kaskade fabric or Dinamica microfibre – both incorporating recycled materials – as well as conventional leathers.

The ambient lighting system includes what is known as an ‘interaction light’, a strip stretching across the dashboard under the windscreen which can show the indicators when activated, as well as decorative light sequences when the vehicle is unlocked or locked.

Available features include a choice of 16- and 20-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound systems, four-zone climate control, soft-close doors, and a wireless phone charging pad.

Powering the first A6 wagons to reach European showrooms will be a choice of three engines, two petrol and one diesel, all matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder develops 150kW/340Nm, the 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 quotes 270kW/550Nm, and the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder produces 150kW/400Nm.

Audi’s new ‘mild-hybrid plus’ technology is available on the latter two engines, and unlike a conventional mild-hybrid system – which can only assist the engine – is capable of driving the wheels on electricity alone.

Its battery runs at only 48 volts, but its 1.7kWh capacity makes it bigger than many 200V-plus Toyota hybrids, and it is charged at up to 25kW under deceleration.

The 18kW/230Nm electric motor can propel the car without the engine running in particular conditions, such as in slow-speed traffic, or under light throttle load on country roads.

Quattro all-wheel drive is standard on the V6 version, or optional on the turbo-diesel.

Coil-spring suspension is standard, which is swapped for a 20mm-lower ‘sports’ tune with the S Line pack.

Adaptive air suspension is available on select variants, which matches the sports springs’ ride height in its standard setting, but can drop a further 10mm in Dynamic mode or at speeds over 120km/h, as well as lift by 20mm on request.

Drivers can even command the air suspension to raise or lower with voice commands.

Audi touts the option of a ‘sport’ rear differential on V6 models, capable of routing more torque to the outside wheel to boost traction in corners, while the all-wheel-drive system can send up to 70 per cent of power to the rear axle.

Also optional on all-wheel-drive models is rear-wheel steering, which can rotate the back tyres up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the fronts at speeds under 60km/h – claimed to cut about a metre off the turning circle – and in the same direction at higher speeds.

Brake torque-vectoring technology, smarter vehicle control software, and new steering and suspension systems are said to deliver a more supple ride and sharper handling than the previous A6.

Available advanced safety features include lane centring assist technology that can communicate with other, appropriately-equipped vehicles on the road, alongside adaptive cruise control, cross-traffic alerts, and more.

The 2025 Audi A6 Avant is available to order now in Europe ahead of first deliveries in May.

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