Press Release
The 2.7 V6 TDI
In addition to the 3.0 TDI, the A6 Avant is starting out with a further representative of the latest V6 TDI engine generation with common rail system and piezo inline injectors: the 2.7 TDI.Like its big brother, which has a capacity of three litres, it makes use of the latest injection technology and consequently already undercuts the demanding EU4 emission limits, which will not take effect until 2006, even without a diesel particulate filter.
A new crankshaft with the stroke reduced by 8.3 millimetres, new connecting rods and different pistons result in an overall swept volume of 2,698 cm3. This engine’s key performance data are a power output of 132 kW (180 bhp) in a speed range of between 3,300 and 4,250 rpm and a peak torque of 380 Nm which is available from 1,400 rpm and remains at this high level all the way up to 3,300 rpm.
The result is a spontaneous response and tremendous pulling power even from the lowest revs. The 100 km/h mark is passed after just 8.3 seconds on the way up to a top speed of 225 km/h. But it is the mid-range sprints that are the outstanding discipline of this new high-performance engine.
The pioneering common rail injection system with piezo inline injectors permits up to five separate amounts of fuel to be injected per working cycle, at an injection pressure of 1600 bar. Piezo technology enables considerably smaller and more precisely metered injection quantities. At the same time, the system responds twice as fast as conventional solenoid-valve injectors thanks to the higher speed of the injector needle. This effect is particularly important in maintaining brief intervals and high precision between the separate multiple injection processes, of which there may be up to five.
The fuel is injected into the combustion chamber via eight-hole nozzles. In conjunction with the combustion chamber recess, this results in excellent fuel preparation and consequently in particularly efficient combustion.
These measures result not only in high performance and an enormous torque plateau, but also in low fuel consumption (7.0 litres per 100 kilometres), extremely low emissions and outstanding acoustics. It is especially in this latter area that the new engine undoubtedly represents the new benchmark in this class.
Driving dynamics and ride comfort
A gain in torsional rigidity of up to 25 percent: this advance compared with the bodyshell of the predecessor version – in itself widely praised as very robust – is reflected in the new model's vibrational comfort, road behaviour and interior acoustics.The rigidity of the steel bodyshell is itself the result of methodically enhanced joining technologies plus optimised panel profiles. The improved vibrational behaviour moreover lays the foundations for the harmonious but nevertheless sporty tuning of the chassis. In conjunction with the direct, extremely stable link connecting the steering column to the module subframe, this body configuration is the basic prerequisite for the precise handling of the A6 Avant.
The Audi dynamic suspension layout as featured on the new A6 Avant is based on proven sports technology: the refined four-link front suspension acknowledged as a typical Audi feature and the self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension carried over from the Audi A8 – a combination used on both the front-wheel-drive and quattro models.
The result is a standard of dynamic driving behaviour that is beyond compare, plus ease of control far superior to the competition. This is also due in no small measure to the speed-dependent servotronic power steering featured as standard, supplementing the precise handling of the new A6 Avant with even more sensitive steering precision.
Available as an option: adaptive air suspension
The new A6 Avant – and, at the same time, the A6 saloon – is available with the adaptive air suspension system as featured on the A8 as an optional extra. The combination of air suspension and an electronically controlled damping system produces the perfect synthesis of decidedly sporty handling properties and superb suspension comfort.A choice of three different characteristics ranging from very sporty to relaxed can be selected via the central Multi Media Interface MMI control element.
The automatic mode represents the perfect all-round setting. At speeds of more than 120 km/h, the body is lowered by 15 millimetres. The change in ride height produces first of all a lower centre of gravity. At motorway speeds, the lower settings in addition reduce drag and therefore fuel consumption. If the driver then slows down to less than 70 km/h, the air suspension raises the vehicle body again to its starting position.
Gentle compression and excellent long-distance comfort are the characteristics of the "comfort" setting. If the "comfort" mode has been selected, speed-dependent lowering of the body at motorway speeds is suppressed.
The performance in the "dynamic" setting is a match for steel-spring sports suspension. In the "dynamic" mode, the car's ride height is lowered permanently by 15 millimetres.
At low speeds the adaptive air suspension establishes greater ground clearance of 15 millimetres in the lift mode if the driver so wishes. This is an additional bonus on uneven terrain. At road speeds of more than 100 km/h, the vehicle is then automatically lowered to its standard height.
In all selectable ranges, the continuously variable dampers are in addition automatically adapted to the type of road and driving style.
The classic conflict between sportiness and comfort is thus overcome.
The new A6 Avant comes with air spring struts on the front wheels, with the air suspension gaiters arranged concentrically around the infinitely adjustable shock absorbers. The air suspension gaiters consist of a special, multi-layered elastomer material with polyamide to increase strength. The advantage of this design is that the thin-walled and consequently soft-rolling gaiters lend the new A6 Avant excellent rolling properties and make the suspension highly responsive even to minor jolts.
On the rear axle, the air springs and fully controlled dampers are separated from one another. The main advantage of this configuration, as with conventional suspension, is that it allows a large through-loading width and helps to keep the floor in the luggage compartment as low as possible.
The car's ride height is held constant independent of the load by fully load-bearing air springs at the front and rear.
Thanks to its concept, air suspension provides a number of inherent advantages: the occupants benefit from a constantly smooth ride at all times, regardless of the load the vehicle is carrying. This is because the firmness of the springs adapts to the load situation at all times.
The equipment
Even with the standard specification, the new Audi A6 Avant comes with a level of equipment by no means usual even in the luxury class. And this superiority is immediately borne out by the use of premium materials and the perfect quality of finish.
MMI - Multi Media Interface
The integrated user interface which goes by the name of Multi Media Interface MMI is unparalleled by anything on offer from the competition. This infotainment platform and control concept on the new A6 Avant combines the advantages of simple operation, a perfect position and consistent operating logic.With MMI having already set the standard in the luxury-class Audi A8, it is now continuing its story of success in the executive segment. As in the Audi A6 saloon before it, the system is available in three different configurations: as MMI basic (standard), MMI basic plus, and MMI.
The Audi A6 Avant comes as standard with MMI basic, featuring the terminal, a 6.5-inch monochrome display, as well as an integrated radio and single-disc CD player. Music output is via a 2x20 Watt amplifier and four loudspeakers in the front doors. Like all radios, the basic system comes with speed-dependent volume control and, thanks to the diversity aerial, excellent radio reception. As well as the radio functions and the broadcasting of traffic information, numerous vehicle functions such as the air conditioning and interior light configuration can be controlled via MMI basic, as on the Audi A8.
On MMI basic plus, available as an optional extra, the radio system of MMI basic can be further upgraded with extra components. A TP memory, for example, is able to record traffic messages lasting up to four minutes. Over and above the basic unit, MMI basic plus comes with a sound system incorporating a total of 10 loudspeakers (three-way combinations at the front and two-way combinations at the rear).
MMI basic plus can also be combined with a CD-based navigation system featuring optical destination guidance using arrow pictograms and additional text information in the driver information system presented exactly in the driver's line of vision. The system also indicates the route acoustically to the driver. Route planning takes all information provided by TMC traffic radio messaging into account.
Fitted as an option with the full range of features, MMI comes with a 7-inch colour monitor in the new Audi A6 Avant. In addition to the high-quality audio system already featured with MMI basic plus, a double tuner and a six-disc CD changer are included in the radio system.
Yet a further option also available in combination with MMI and MMI basic plus is the all-new BOSE surround sound system, no less than five amplifier channels distributing sound around the listener like in a concert hall – and in the process creating an experience in sound which sets new standards even in the supreme luxury range. The BOSE system provides an equalizer function that adapts the sound output to the speed-dependent level of background noise in the vehicle.
As on the A8, MMI can also be supplied with DVD navigation. A DVD provides more than ten times the storage capacity of a conventional CD ROM, coupled with a noticeably faster access time. This kind of capacity is able to cover not only the route directions for one country but almost the entire Western European road network on one single data carrier, relieving the driver of the annoying job of changing the CD when crossing borders.
A further advantage is that the navigation system calculates the route much more swiftly than on CD-based systems. This is particularly noticeable during map loading and when using the zoom function. This allows a flowing zooming in and out and enables the map to be moved in all four directions. As an alternative, the navigation system can also be operated using voice control.
