Latest A6 Avant gets more usable space, plus an all-new motor that's most likely to reach Porsche cars too.
That's a nice-looking weekend car...
This is the all-new A6 Avant launched in Germany last week. Simply put, the Avant is essentially the estate version of the A6 executive car rivalling the BMW 5-series Touring and Mercedes-Benz E-class T-model.
Although the A6 Avant has the same generous dimensions as before, it is some 70kg lighter thanks to more use of aluminium body panels. There is 565 litres of load area which can be increased to 1,680 _ more than in the 5-series but less than the E-class' seat-down layout.
Even so, the A6 Avant helps extend the brand's appeal among Europeans who need practical transport with car-like driving manners.
So why are they unpopular in Thailand?
It's probably because Thais prefer saloons. And if they really need more than just a four-door, they would immediately crave an SUV. That's why practically no luxury carmaker is selling estates anymore in Thailand.
Audi now sells the Q7 and Q5 in the country instead of the A6 and A4 Avants. Soon, the Q3 would come. The same goes for BMW which prefers to sell the X1, X3 and X5 over their Touring models.
Similarly, Volvo has ditched sales of the V70 in favour for the XC90 and XC60. The Swedes are still selling the V50, though, because the smallest of Volvo's crossover has yet to come: the rumoured XC30.
Mercedes-Benz still sells the E-class (but not C-class) estate because the M-class SUV, at 6 million baht, can be pricey for many. That explains a recent report suggesting that Mercedes will build the next-generation M-class in Thailand.
So, get ready to give a final goodbye to sensible, efficient cargo-carriers in Thailand.
The bi-turbo 3.0-litre diesel produces 313hp.
Shame. At least SUVs will get estates' fine tech...
Yes, since all kinds of body derivatives within a specific model range share platforms, engines, transmission and internal parts.
Although the 204/245hp 3.0-litre V6 diesel-turbo _ four-pots will eventually follow, of course _ is not making the headlines, another one is doing so.
Audi has used the A6 Avant to showcase the brand's all-new twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel to lock horns with BMW's bi-turbo 3.0-litre inline-six variation (used in the 335d, 535d and X5/X6 35d). Audi claims a 0-100kph time for the A6 Avant with this new motor at a cool 5.4sec.
The Avant lives on, despite the booming crossover trend.
Will it come to the Porsche Cayenne?
Most likely, given that Audi shares technologies with Porsche. The Cayenne itself is part of the VW Group SUV programme that also underpins the Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg.
But when the 313hp oil-burner will replace the Cayenne's single-turbo 240hp unit is another thing. Don't forget that the second-gen Cayenne has just been on the market for only a year or so. So don't cancel that cheque for the Cayenne Diesel (or Panamera Diesel) yet; it will surely be some time before an update takes place.
What about the petrol heads?
The A6 Avant has either a 204hp 2.8-litre non-turbo (FSI) V6 or 300hp 3.0-litre supercharged (TFSI) V6. Porsche already uses the latter application, albeit for the petrol/electric hybrid in the Cayenne and Panamera.
And since you might be curious, that 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 powerplant Bentley has officially announced for the Continental GT late this year might appear in an Audi first. The maiden car in question is the forthcoming S6 (not to be confused in the RS6).
See? Audi is quite a force to be reckoned with in the politics-ridden VW Group empire.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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