New Audi A6 Allroad Is Bigger, Meaner, and a Damn Good Omen for the RS6 Avant

Audi’s return to form continues and enthusiasts should be cheering.

On Tuesday, the next-generation Audi A6 Allroad debuted globally with a new design, new tech, engines that definitely won’t be coming to the U.S. market, and a butch presence that makes a visual statement. For on-road enthusiasts, the debut also provides a glimpse at the upcoming RS6 Avant.

An Audi USA spokesperson told The Drive the new A6 Allroad will arrive in the U.S. next year.

Based on the latest A6 and Audi’s new design language, which has quickly infiltrated the lineup from the Q3 and both gas and electric A6 models to the upcoming Q7 and Q9 SUVs, the new A6 Allroad leans into the future. The configurable LED daytime running lights are split from the headlights, which are the automaker’s fancy new adaptive Matrix LED technology. But the flared fenders and 4.3-inch wider body over the standard A6 is what catches the eye. The stance on this thing is massive and menacing. Gaping intakes do some heavy lifting up front while the flared fenders vent out just ahead of the front doors, like on the latest RS5. Wheels on the global model are said to range from 19 to 20 inchers, and they are outlined by shiny black plastic around the wheel wells.

Inside the A6 Allroad mimics what we’ve seen in the latest Audi models. The dashboard combines an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system under one piece of curved glass. It’s augmented by a 10.9-inch touchscreen mounted in front of the passenger. There’s a real volume knob on the center console, but that’s about as far as hard controls go. Unfortunately, the center console is slathered in shiny piano black plastic and the wretched single panel of plastic that houses everything from lighting and mirror adjustments to door locks and memory seating functions makes an appearance here as well. But we can take solace in the fact there are real stalks, though, oddly, they are the old style and not Audi’s new trick one-piece stalk design, which is actually awesome. There are also actual vent controls for the climate control system, which Editorial-In-Chief Kyle Cheromcha will praise.

The powertrains revealed are irrelevant and don’t matter here. The turbodiesel V6 will absolutely not be coming to the U.S. and the plug-in hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four likely will not appear here either. Diesel is dead with the Germans in the U.S. and the plug-in hybrid powertrain isn’t homologated for our market. The A6 Allroad will likely have the same 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque as the gas A6 sold here today. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic will likely handle shifting duties and quattro all-wheel drive will obviously be standard. There’s an outside chance, with a prayer, that 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 that just debuted in the new Q7 with 429 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque could make its way into this A6 Allroad for the U.S., but it’s not likely given the cost of homologating that engine for this car for our market.

Adaptive four-corner air suspension will be standard that provides a 1.3 inch lift over the standard A6. The system can raise or lower the car 2.1 inches. Four-wheel steering with the ability to dial in up to five degrees of steering in the opposite direction at low speeds, and up to two degrees in the same direction as the front wheels at higher speeds, should theoretically increase stability and improve maneuverability.

Expect U.S.-specific powertrain and packaging details, along with pricing, to arrive later this year or early next.

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