Audi A6 allroad 3.0 TDI quattro

Sep 27 2009 Peter Keenan

THE Audi A6 allroad is aimed at buyers who want a classy estate that offers a little bit more.

It is based on the A6 Avant with the Germans bolting on quattro four-wheel drive and other nifty bits and pieces to give the allroad the ability to perform in off-road surroundings.

In keeping with the tougher image a number of exterior changes are made. The face of the allroad is striking - courtesy of a unique grille, while the front and rear bumper design is exclusive to the model.

Other tweaks to the exterior include flared wheel arches, extended sills and stainless steel under-body protection panels to allow the allroad to cope with rougher terrain.

The idea is to give the model a go-anywhere appearance to signal it means business. And make no mistake this is a serious car combining top quality engines that only Cameron Diaz can match in terms of pulling power, with the legendary quattro system incorporating a mechanical self-locking centre differential.

This clever addition allows the car to extricate itself from tricky situations no normal estate could cope with - such as the farmer's field I parked in at a village fete that turned into a quagmire after a downpour.

Also in the allroad's armoury are a height adjustable air suspension and a specially revised version of the Audi's electronic stabilisation programme. Pressing the ESP button activates an off-road mode that primes the system to cope with the lower speeds and different hazards faced in off-road driving.

Audi offers all-terrain tyres and a reinforced engine under-guard as optional extras for those intent on pushing the car to its limits.

However, don't confuse a car that can extricate itself from the mud for a serious off-roader capable of going up and down mountains. The allroad is great off-road for an estate, but if you want to do some serious trekking then a traditional four-wheel drive giant is essential.

Under normal road conditions though, the car is quite simply breathtaking. The 3.0-litre diesel engine in the car I tested rockets the allroad from 0-62mph in a shade over seven seconds - it becomes essential to keep your eye on the speedo as progress is so smooth it's difficult to judge just how fast you are going - especially in the vicinity of speed cameras.

The humps and hollows that pass for roads these days are treated with equal disdain while the steering is sharp and the levels of grip outstanding making twisty country tracks a joy they shouldn't really be in a car of this size.

Climb into the A6 allroad and you immediately realise the uncompromising approach of the exterior is abandoned in the cabin.

Supple leather upholstery, comfortable seats and an airy atmosphere combine to make any journey a pleasure. The driving position and steering wheel are fully adjustable and there's plenty of head, leg and shoulder room both front and rear.

The boot is cavernous at 565-litres and positively gargantuan when the rear seats are lowered offering the ability to store 1,660-litres of luggage. The cabin is also dotted with numerous cubby holes and power points that make the A6 allroad a family friend.

FAST FACTS

Audi A6 allroad 3.0 TDI quattro auto

Price: £39,490

Mechanical: 240ps, 2,967cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 6-speed automatic gearbox

Max speed: 144mph

0-62mph: 7.4 seconds

Combined mpg: 37.7

Insurance group: 16

CO2 emissions: 199g/km

BiK rating: 28%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles