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By Jonathan Crouch

Audi rejuvenates its big A6 Avant estate - for those who don't want an EV. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 51

Audi proves that - for the moment - it also remains committed to combustion power, at least with this car, the rejuvenated C9-generation A6 Avant. It's not the most practical large premium badged estate you could choose, but it's the sleekest, possibly the smartest and certainly the nicest to sit in.

Backgroundword count: 242

You might not expect the most aerodynamic combustion model Audi has ever made to be a big A6 Avant estate, this six generation C9-series model. But perhaps you should. Slippery bodywork has always been a calling card of this model line. The very first C4-series version of 1994 was a re-badged version of the most slippery big car of the '80s and '90s, the Audi 100. And the first bespoke design with an A6 badge, the C5-series model of 1997, set another new standard for how slippery a big estate could be. It's successors, the C6 design of 2004, the C7 model of 2011 and this current car's predecessor, the C8 design of 2018, continued the trend of form over function. Customers could fit much more in a rival Mercedes E-Class Estate, but the A6 Avant always vastly out-sold that model in our market, whilst also trumping the other big segment player, BMW's 5 Series Touring. This C9-generation model, announced in early 2025, was originally supposed to switch to 'A7' badging so as not to cause confusion with the all-electric A6 Avant e-tron launched in 2024. But a last-minute change of policy by Audi saw this combustion model keep the 'A6' moniker. It's still offered in diesel form as well as in petrol guise - it'll actually be one of the last diesel models Audi will ever launch. And there's a saloon version too. But here our focus is on the Avant.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 301

In a market where rivals are starting to wonder whether they should have been quite so hasty in dropping diesel power, this A6 Avant celebrates the black pump, reserving arguably its most sophisticated engine tech for the TDI version, which uses the company's usual four cylinder 2.0-litre unit. As with the A5 Avant, this means installation of the brand's MHEV plus system, which offers a big step forward from Ingolstadt's previous mild hybrid technology. For one thing, it uses a much bigger e-motor, providing 24PS and 230Nm of torque. For another, it acts as more than just a starter generator, also able to drive the car on its own at parking speeds. Plus, using a brake-by-wire set-up, the system can also regenerate energy at up to 25kW, so the compact lithium battery will always be topped up. As we said, the 2.0 TDI unit in question is a familiar one - and the quattro 4WD system it must be paired with is familiar too. Total output is 204PS, which is the same as the alternative four cylinder engine on offer, the 2.0 TFSI petrol. This can only be front-driven and makes 62mph in 8.3s en route to 144mph, respectively 1.3s and 5mph slower than the diesel. The UK won't get the 3.0 V6 TFSI petrol unit offered on the continent. But we will in future see a range of Plug-in Hybrid TFSI e powertrains, including those likely to be used in the future high performance S6 and RS 6 models. Audi claims drive dynamics have been improved with this C9-generation design. To that end, there's a stiffer torsion bar, stiffer control arm bushings, a more rigid steering rack and increased front camber. All of this is supposed to improve steering feel and road feedback. Plus the sleeker bodywork should help refinement.

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