2012 Audi A6 Allroad Quattro

Elegance and versatility – the new Audi A6 allroad quattro

Audi is again expanding its A6 model family – the new A6 allroad quattro will arrive at dealerships in early 2012. Built to handle every road and byway, the large Audi is the most expressive way to drive an Avant. Equipped with standard adaptive air suspension, the four V6 engines develop between 150 kW (204 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp).

The new Audi A6 allroad quattro – a car that knows no boundaries
The first two generations of the A6 allroad quattro from model year 2000 and 2006 were already huge successes – Audi now carries the line into its third generation. With its universal talents, the new A6 allroad quattro takes the sporty character of the A6 Avant one step further: It forges ahead, even where the asphalt ends. Its four engines develop between 150 kW (204 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp), summoning their superb power with convincing efficiency.

Measuring 4.94 meters (16.21 ft), the new Audi A6 allroad quattro is closely related to the A6 Avant yet projects its own, rugged style in a great many details. Its lightweight body, which incorporates large areas of aluminum, provides slightly more ground clearance. Its design has been noticeably reworked; the slats in the single-frame grille run from top to bottom, for example. Audi also offers the headlights in Xenon plus or LED technology.

For the exterior and spacious interior, the Audi designers have created custom colors and new materials for the seat covers and trim. The luggage compartment provides a volume of 565 to 1,680 liters (19.95 to 59.33 cu ft), along with practical features such as a load-securing kit. An optional automatic tailgate combined with a retractable electric luggage compartment cover makes loading even easier.

For driving on rough terrain, a tilt angle display and hill descent assist come standard. Audi offers a number of features for maximum comfort and convenience, culminating in the head-up display and seats with a ventilation and massage function. The range of infotainment modules tops out at the versatile MMI navigation plus and the full-sounding Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. The latest member of the Audi family bests the competition with its Audi connect Internet services as well as its capable driver assistance systems.

The Audi A6 allroad quattro is launching onto the market with four powerful V6 engines. The TFSI and the three TDI units develop between 150 kW (204 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp) and outperform their predecessors in fuel economy by up to 20 percent. Depending on the engine, the seven-speed S tronic or eight-speed tiptronic transits power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which works together with the torque-vectoring system. Úpon request, Audi will add to it the sport differential, which actively distributes torque to the rear wheels.

Two standard features of the new A6 allroad quattro are the Audi drive select dynamic handling system with 'efficiency' mode and adaptive air suspension. The air suspension with controlled damping varies the ride height of the body to suit current requirements. The standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, with 19- or 20-inch wheels available on request. The electromechanical power steering is highly responsive and efficient, and Audi will soon offer dynamic steering with variable gear ratio.

Sales of the generously equipped Audi A6 allroad quattro began in Germany in December 2011. The 150-kW (204-hp) 3.0 TDI lists for 54,600 euros.

Body

The body follows the Audi ultra lightweight concept – approximately 20 percent is made of aluminum, a material with which the brand with the four rings has had a clear lead over the competition for quite some time. The body weighs approximately 15 percent less than a comparable all-steel construction.

In the A6 allroad quattro, the cross-strut in the engine compartment and the cross-members behind the front and rear bumpers are made of aluminum sections. The suspension strut domes at the front of the car are aluminum castings. The previous model required ten sheet-steel components each in this area, and these were 10.9 kilograms (24.03 lb) heavier. The integral subframe behind the instrument panel, the rear shelf, the cross-member in the trunk, the front fenders, the doors, the hood, and the trunk lid are all made of aluminum panels.

For Audi, the principle of ultra lightweight design means using the right material in the right place to achieve optimum function. This is why the body of the A6 allroad quattro also comprises high-end steels of various strength classes, alongside the many aluminum components. The strongest of these are the hot-shaped steels. An external temperature differential during the shaping process gives them an extremely high tensile strength. They require relatively thin wall thickness and are accordingly lightweight.

Hot-shaped steels are used in the B-pillars, in the transition from the front section of the car to the passenger cell, in the A-pillars and the roof arches, in the center tunnel and the side sills, at the transition of the side sills to the rear section of the car, and in the floor panel. In many areas, Audi uses tailored blanks, panels of various thicknesses within the component geometry.

Other strong points: stiffness, acoustic comfort, and safety
The body features many other strong points in addition to its light weight. It achieves best-in-class figures for static and dynamic torsional stiffness, thus providing the basis for the excellent production quality, the precise handling, and the quiet ride the Audi A6 allroad quattro offers. The hydraulically cushioned rear axle bearings also make a significant contribution to the outstanding vibrational and acoustic comfort. The windshield incorporates a standard noise-insulating safety film, and there are three sealing strips on each door.

The Audi A6 allroad quattro achieves a drag coefficient of 0.31 and has a frontal area measuring 2.36 m2 (25.40 square ft), clearly outperforming its predecessor in total aerodynamic drag. Its paneled underbody channels air in a controlled manner, and air also flows through the engine compartment with minimal losses.

The body also achieves top scores in terms of passive safety. In the interior, the Audi adaptive restraint system provides optimum protection through a precisely harmonious interplay among components and networking with the Audi pre sense safety system.

The safety system comprises two airbags at the front, two in the backrests of the front seats (and optionally, two in the rear), and two in the roof frame; the Audi integral head restraint system, and the power belt force limiters for the front seats. Isofix child seat anchor points in the rear are standard.


The exterior of the Audi A6 allroad quattro has sporty-progressive styling with rugged accents. Its proportions are balanced; sharp lines delineate taut, muscular surfaces, and the low roofline transitions elegantly into the relatively shallow D-pillars. The tornado line, another typical Audi design feature, lends strength to the body's shoulders. Above the side sills lies the dynamic line, turning up slightly at the rear of the car.

The single-frame radiator grille with upper beveled corners dominates at the front. Its frame gleams in an aluminum look, and the 23 Platinum Gray slats are positioned vertically. The tapered headlights give the A6 allroad quattro a determined look. The engine hood shapes their top edge, and the bottom edge forms a wavelike contour. A washer system for the headlights is standard.
The bumper is painted in one of two available contrasting colors: anthracite matt or black matt. Aluminum-look strips adorn the slats in the air intakes, and aluminum-look rings frame the fog lights (when equipped with halogen headlights). An underbody guard finishes off the bumper at the bottom.

Seen from the side, a striking feature of the Audi A6 allroad quattro are its broad fenders, filled by large wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The edges of the wheel wells and the side sills, featuring angular overlays, are painted in contrasting color. The window capping strips are painted black, and the roofrails, also black, are mounted on crossbars. The third brake light is integrated into the roof spoiler.

Trapezoidal lights divided into two parts emphasize the width at the sculpted, three-dimensional rear of the car. A matt black diffuser insert envelopes the two flat-bottomed tailpipes for the exhaust system, with surfaces covered in chrome. A stainless-steel underbody guard finishes off the tail end at the bottom. Like at the front end, the bumper is painted in a contrasting color.

The paint finish Java Brown is available exclusively for the A6 allroad quattro. Other colors are Brilliant Black, Dakota Gray, Ice Silver, Glacier White, Garnet Red, Havana Black, Ibis White, Moonlight Blue, Oolong Gray, Phantom Black, and Deep Green. Audi also offers an aluminum-look exterior. Here, the strips on the window cappings and the inlays in the door handles gleam with an aluminum look, and the side sills feature stainless-steel strips.

Leading the competition: LED headlights
The headlights are available in a choice of three versions. Halogen lights are standard, with optional xenon plus lights or LED headlights – a technology in which Audi has a clear lead over the competition. For the two optional headlight versions, there is a separate high-beam assistant (standard with LED headlights) that switches automatically between dipped and main beams.

The xenon plus technology includes an LED daytime running light strip and new all-weather lights that replace the fog lights. On request, Audi will also upgrade the xenon plus lights with the optional adaptive light system, which illuminates the road excellently in all situations, for example using junction light or cornering light; their control unit makes use of route data from the optional MMI navigation plus. The variable headlight range control, another feature of the adaptive lights, switches between the dipped and main beams with soft transitions.

The top version in the new A6 allroad quattro are the LED headlights. With a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin, their white light resembles daylight, which is easier on the eyes at night.

With their custom design, the LED headlights are visually impressive; they are maintenance-free, long-life, and extremely energy-efficient. The all-weather lights, the high-beam assistant, and the highway lights also come standard with this headlight version.

In combination with the xenon plus and LED headlights, Audi offers tail lights with LED technology, giving a three-dimensional effect to their light pattern. The tail lights, which are generated by 90 individual LEDs, give the appearance of a broad, visually homogeneous arc owing to the upstream diffused optics.

Interior


Thanks to the long wheelbase measuring 2,905 millimeters (114.37 in), the interior of the Audi A6 allroad quattro offers plenty of room even for tall people. Compared with the predecessor, the front headroom, the length of the interior and the shoulder width have increased slightly; the front seats are now 20 millimeters (0.79 in) further apart.

The interior design takes up the sinewy lines of the exterior. The large wrap-around inlay begins at the driver's door and runs in an arc, passing beneath the windshield and on to the front passenger's door. The wide, asymmetric center console is oriented toward the driver. The instrument panel rounds off the concept of the taut lines with an elegant sweep.

The front seats can be adjusted to a variety of settings. Audi offers optional luxury features, such as sport seats with electric four-way lumbar support, a seat heater, and electric adjustment plus memory function for the driver's seat. The comfort seats feature a particularly versatile electric adjustment range. Optionally, they can include a ventilation system for the seat surface and backrest and a massage function with ten air cushions, five programs and five intensities to pamper the back.

There are spacious, practical storage features at every seat, and the front door pockets can hold a one-liter bottle. A tilt-adjustable armrest at the front, complete with a storage compartment, and an optional storage package ensure the interior remains tidy.

The A6 allroad quattro has clearly structured, intuitive ergonomics. The instruments are easy to read, and a start-stop button replaces the conventional ignition switch. In trim levels featuring MMI radio plus and above, the driver information system is available in a choice of two versions. The system combines all key information and settings in an intuitive menu structure; it also includes the efficiency program, which give the driver tips on efficient shifting.

The driver information system is operated via the standard leather multifunction steering wheel. Its buttons and roller switches are also used to control the phone and audio devices. Audi offers a choice of various steering wheels, including optional shift paddles for the automatic transmission (standard on the 230-kW 3.0 TDI).

The MMI with its elegant, electrically retractable onboard monitor serves as a second control unit. The latest generation of the system is used, with gleaming aluminum-look softkeys. An exclusive feature on board the A6 allroad quattro is the angle of inclination in the lateral and longitudinal direction – helpful information when traveling off-road.

Among the special high-end equipment features in the Audi A6 allroad quattro is the head-up display. All key information from the navigation system, traffic signs, car, and assistance systems is projected onto the windshield in full color, appearing to hover in the air at a distance of approximately 2.5 meters (8.20 ft).

No compromises: the finish
The quality without compromise with which Audi builds cars can be experienced in every detail of the interior. The materials have been selected and processed with the utmost care. The switches, levers, and control knobs move easily and precisely. The gaps are even and narrow. Chromed-covered trim and discreet inlays add visual touches in many areas. A ÚV-cured topcoat makes heavily used components in Piano finish black extremely scratch-resistant.

The carpet and instrument panel in the A6 allroad quattro are consistently black. The aluminum molding in the door sills is emblazoned with 'allroad' badges. Special welcome messages appear on the driver information system display and MMI monitor when the ignition is switched on.

In the standard trim level, the seats are covered with the material Sierra/mono.pur 350. Audi also offers the Milano and Valcona leather grades as well as an Alcantara/leather combination. Contrasting stitching adds an elegant touch to the seat covers, available in black, velvet beige, titanium gray and – an A6 allroad quattro exclusive – santos brown. Other customization features, for example from the Audi exclusive line by quattro GmbH, are in preparation.

The inlays are coordinated with the interior colors. Audi offers aluminum trim and three grades of wood: Fine grain ash in natural brown, Walnut dark brown, and the layered wood Beaufort oak.

Engines

The uprated 3.0 TFSI, with a displacement of 2,995 ccm, now develops 228 kW (310 hp) and applies 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque, combining powerful low-end torque, revving ability, and a sporty-sophisticated sound. This gasoline engine accelerates the A6 allroad quattro from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.9 seconds, and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). On average, it covers 100 km on 8.9 liters of fuel (26.43 ÚS mpg).

In the 3.0 TFSI, a supercharger is used to provide boost. Located in the V-angle of the aluminum cylinder banks, it obtains its power from the crankshaft. Two rotary pistons in its interior rotating in opposite directions at over 20,000 rpm compress the intake air at pressures of up to 0.8 bar. The supercharger is located downstream of the throttle valve – a layout that improves efficiency and enables early, spontaneous torque build-up. Adjustable intake camshafts and tumble flaps in the intake ports provide for good charging efficiency in the combustion chambers.

The ultra-modern 3.0 TDI, with its 2,967 ccm displacement, is available in three versions: 150 kW (204 hp), 180 kW (245 hp), and 230 kW (313 hp), with torque values of 450 (331.90 lb-ft), 580 (427.79), and 650 Nm (479.42), respectively. The defining characteristics of all of these versions are a low weight of less than 200 kilograms (440.92 lb), an energy-efficient chain drive, low internal friction, and a regulated oil pump. The crankcase and the cylinder heads have separate coolant circuits connected to one another via valves.

The 150 kW (204-hp) 3.0 TDI is specifically optimized for maximum fuel efficiency: from the camshafts' control times through the turbocharger, to the common rail system providing injection pressures up to 2,000 bar. It accelerates the new A6 allroad quattro from a standing start to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 223 km/h (138.57 mph). On average, it requires just 6.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (38.56 ÚS mpg) and emits only 159 g CO2 per km (255.89 g/mile).

With the middle version of the TDI, developing 180 kW (245 hp), the A6 allroad quattro accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 6.6 seconds, and top speed is 236 km/h (146.64 mph). It consumes on average 6.3 liters per 100 km (37.34 ÚS mpg), corresponding to 165 grams CO2 per km (265.54 g/mile). Audi will soon add a particularly low-emission version of this engine, which will adhere to the limits of the future Euro 6 standard.

With biturbo technology: the most powerful TDI
The top-of-the-line engine is the 3.0 TDI with an output of 230 kW (313 hp). It employs a biturbo concept, in which a flap joins two series-connected chargers. At low revs it is closed, the small charger with its variable turbine geometry does most of the work, and the large charger does the pre-compression. From about 2,500 rpm, the valve starts to open, and the small charger increasingly transfers the major share of work to its counterpart. In the range between 3,500 and 4,000 rpm, the valve opens completely, and only the large charger still operates.

This high-performance concept necessitated extensive modifications in the engine and its surroundings. These were made to the cylinder head cooling system, the timing and lift of the intake cam shafts, the pistons and their oil jet cooling, and the piston pins.

The common rail system develops up to 2,000 bar of pressure and injects as many as eight partial amounts of fuel per firing cycle into the cylinder. The oil pump and the water pump have been optimized for maximum efficiency. A sound actuator in the exhaust system gives the engine a full, resonant sound.

The 230 kW (313 hp) 3.0 TDI accelerates the Audi A6 allroad quattro from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.6 seconds; the electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph) is a mere formality. Its average consumption is 6.7 liters per 100 km – a CO2 emission of 176 grams per km (283.24 g/mile).

The new Audi A6 allroad quattro comes factory-equipped in all versions with an automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The 3.0 TFSI and the TDI, developing 150 kW (204 hp) and 180 kW (245 hp), are fitted with the sporty seven-speed S tronic, and the 230-kW (313-hp) TDI employs the eight-speed tiptronic optimized for fast shifting times.

Both of these transmission types are at the leading edge of technology. They are part of the innovative thermal management concept, stand out due to their high efficiency, and work together perfectly with the start-stop systems.

Their lower gears feature short, sporty ratios, while the upper gears are long to reduce revs and fuel consumption. The differential is upstream of the clutch or torque converter, shifting the front axle far forward.

The transmissions receive route data from the navigation system so as to incorporate upcoming curves in their gearshift strategy and avoid unnecessary gear changes on narrow roads, for example.

The seven-speed S tronic comprises two transmission sections; these are operated by two clutches, the larger of which encloses the smaller one. Direct shifting takes place as the clutch changes. The process takes only a few hundredths of a second and is so smooth that it can hardly be felt at all.

The electronic control system has a fully automatic mode at the ready, with two types of operation: D (Drive) and S (Sport). Alternatively the driver can shift manually, also via optional shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The eight-speed tiptronic is a classic torque-converter transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) It lowers fuel consumption by around six percent compared with the six-speed tiptronic in the previous model. The wheelsets and shift elements have been redesigned for compact installation space. All gear changes are flexible, spontaneous, fast and ultra-flexible.

The torque converter lockup clutch contributes significantly to the efficiency. Únder normal driving conditions, it connects the transmission directly to the engine. It works with limited slip in certain situations, which permits very low engine speeds in interplay with the integrated shock absorber, without the occurrence of vibrations. When the A6 allroad quattro is not moving, the transmission is disconnected from the engine. The Dynamic Shift Program (DSP) offers a D mode, an S mode, and a manual mode.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive employs a purely mechanical concept and therefore operates without any lag. In the basic power-distribution ratio, its self-locking center differential funnels 60 percent of engine torque to the rear axle and 40 percent to the front – a sporty characteristic. If one wheel slips, most of the power goes to the other axle at lightning speed. Úp to 70 percent can flow to the front wheels and up to 85 percent to the rear wheels.

The quattro drive works closely together with torque-vectoring. This intelligent software solution will detect and respond if an inside front wheel loses grip while the vehicle corners at a high speed. In this case it brakes the wheel just slightly, almost unnoticeably, making the handling even smoother.

For all engines Audi offers the sport differential, which actively distributes torque to the rear wheels via two superposition gears whenever the driver adopts a dynamic driving style. In faster cornering, the system literally pushes the A6 allroad quattro into the radius. Its electronic control system is built into the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.

When the sport differential is on board, torque vectoring only acts on the front wheels.

Infotainment

The infotainment selection in the Audi A6 allroad quattro takes a modular format. The MMI radio is standard. Next in the lineup comes the MMI radio plus with dual tuner, driver information system, two card readers, and Bluetooth interface. Sound is output via the Audi sound system. Further up the modular lineup is MMI navigation. (posted on conceptcarz.com) Its data come from an SD card; a voice control system and dynamic navigation are standard.

The top of the line is MMI navigation plus, which includes a 60 GB hard disk, a DVD drive, and a voice control system. It allows the driver to operate important features of the audio, navigation, and phone systems and to enter the complete navigation destination – house number, street, and city – with a single sentence. Alternatively, the driver can use the classic Audi control area with the large rotary pushbutton.

A graphics processor from market leader NVIDIA generates top-quality, three-dimensional images. The map is a high-resolution 3D model with points of interest in many cities recreated in great detail. Thanks to its high resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, the 8-inch diagonal MMI monitor presents all images crystal clear and in vibrant colors.

MMI touch features the trend-setting touchpad. The driver enters a destination or the telephone number by drawing the letters and numbers – even using characters from Asian languages – on the control panel with a finger. The system provides acoustic feedback after each character so that the driver's eyes can stay on the road. The push of a button transforms the pad into a control panel containing six freely selectable radio stations.

MMI navigation plus works closely together with additional driver assistance systems in the new Audi A6 allroad quattro. Its database describes the entire European road system. The navigation system evaluates these data predictively. It reads the selected course in advance and forwards all relevant data to the control units that govern the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, the headlights, and the automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) This enables these systems to precisely adapt their function to the given conditions in advance.

Other optional modules complete the infotainment program in the Audi A6 allroad quattro. These include a dual tuner for digital radio reception, a digital TV tuner, and the Audi music interface for convenient integration of a mobile player.

The optional Bose surround sound system carries the sound to 14 speakers via an amplifier with an output of over 600 watts. The alternative to this system is the Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen, which uses two amplifiers and 1,300 watts to control 15 active aluminum-paneled speakers. Located in the instrument panel are two acoustic lenses for the high frequencies. They extend outward when the system is switched on.

Audi connect

The term Audi connect denotes all applications and developments that connect Audi cars to their owner, the Internet, the infrastructure, and other vehicles. The hardware module for this is the Bluetooth car phone online, an additional component of MMI navigation plus. It connects to the Internet via a ÚMTS module. The built-in WLAN hotspot allows passengers to connect up to eight mobile terminal devices so that they can surf and send e-mail to their hearts' content.

For the driver, the Bluetooth car phone online allows the Audi A6 allroad quattro to retrieve personalized Internet services, a number of these in cooperation with Google. These range from navigation with images from Google Earth, voice-controlled Google point-of-interest searches, and Google Street View, all the way to the new Audi music stream web radio.

An especially attractive service is Audi traffic information online. This service is based on the motion profiles of hundreds of thousands of smart phones and navigation devices that people carry with them in their cars. Processed at a central location, it provides an up-to-the-minute picture of the traffic situation that also covers interurban roads and cities in Germany and other European countries. The driver's individual route is displayed on the MMI monitor in green, yellow, orange, or red, depending on the level of congestion.

The Bluetooth online car phone is operated via the MMI navigation plus terminal, using the multifunction steering wheel or by voice control. Data are encrypted and transferred via the roof antenna at rates of up to 7.2 megabits per second. If the A6 allroad quattro is traveling outside the ÚMTS network, the system switches to the EDGE standard.

Source - Audi