2007 AUDI A6 AVANT. Interior and cargo area

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1 2007 AUDI A6 AVANT Introduced in the 2005 model-year, the current generation of the A6 is relatively unchanged this year, apart from the fact that the V8 now develops 15 extra horsepower and that an S6 version with a 435-hp V10 is available. The Avant, as Audi names its station wagon models, is offered with a 3.2L V6 and Quattro full-time all-wheel-drive. Interior and cargo area As the vehicle is a bit low, front as well as rear access is relatively easy. The front seats are very comfortable thanks to such features as adjustable height and lumbar support. With tilt and telescoping steering, drivers easily find a very good driving position. Legroom is good, while headroom with the sunroof is tight for tall individuals. In the back, the bench seat is comfortable for just two people because the transmission tunnel takes up the foot room in the middle. Headroom and legroom are sufficient. The seatback splits 60/40 and folds to form a floor that angles up slightly towards the front, leaving a gap behind the front seats. Fortunately, you can install a vertical net to keep animals or objects from falling into the gap. Cargo capacity is good, but the rather pronounced forward angle of the C-pillars prevents use of full height for about 40 cm. The hatch opens wide and there are four movable tie-downs. Convenience and safety features As you d expect with Audi, cabin finish and the quality of materials are impeccable. Road noise could be better dampened. Total storage space is insufficient, mainly because the CD changer and owner s manual take up nearly all the room in the glove compartment. It s been a while since we saw a CD changer in a glove compartment.

2 Instruments and controls are well laid out. The MMI system, which is supposed to make life easier for the driver, is annoyingly complex, requiring several steps to access the audio or air conditioning functions. The latter is not the most efficient, taking too much time to reach the desired temperature because of a weak blower. The windshield washer nozzles are under the edge of the hood and can easily be blocked by snow. In this price range, a rear wiper should have both intermittent and continuous cycles; this Audi s is continuous only, which is unacceptable. As the roof rails are flush to the roof, it is impossible to tie down objects without crossbars. Even with crossbars, objects cannot be tied down solidly because the roof rails are not perforated. Safety-wise, the A6 comes with six airbags (dual front, side and air curtain), five head restraints, a first-aid kit, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and stability control. Though visibility is good, the rear head restraints combined with the C-pillars create blind zones on a ¾ rear angle. The outside mirrors are a bit small. The A6 received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety s highest rating Good for driver protection in an offset frontal impact and for all-occupant protection in a side crash. For rear-impact protection, it was awarded an Acceptable rating, the second highest, for vehicles built before December 2006 and a Good rating for vehicles built after November Engine and transmission The 3.2L direct-injection V6 develops 255 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque to move the A6 along handily. Acceleration and pickup are lively and well-felt. This engine is very well matched to the vehicle. It climbs readily through the gears and easily maintains its speed. It meets strict Tier2/Bin 5 emissions control standards. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts very smoothly in normal mode but not quite as smoothly in sport mode, especially when downshifting. In both modes, you can feel a kick when you release completely the accelerator and then step on it again, like it would if you shifted from Neutral to Drive with your foot on the accelerator. Gear changes are quick in manual mode. As always, the Quattro full-time AWD system is very efficient. The system spits torque permanently 50/50 between the front and rear wheels.

3 On the road With the S Line sport package, the ride is usually smooth, but the suspension can whomp down rather hard on some bumps, unless the vehicle is loaded, which makes this harshness disappear. With the base suspension, the ride is firm, but not overly so. The vehicle is stable with a very good grip on winding roads, and drives with a sturdy feel. The suspension isolates us too much from the road, and road sensations are few and far between. In a similar vein, the power steering transmits little in the way of road sensation. The variable assistance is very well tuned, and steering is stable, precise and quick. Braking is powerful and resistant to fade. Our inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre showed that the A6 is very well built. Corrosion protection is excellent. However, the windshield washer tank is poorly located, on the left side of the engine compartment opposite the wheel. Imagine how close you d be to traffic if you had to fill the tank on the side of the road. The overhead camshafts are chain driven. Conclusion The A6 Avant is a comfortable, versatile, well-built, solid vehicle that offers undeniable performance and driving pleasure. It can also become very expensive if you go overboard with the options list. PROS: lively engine, seating comfort, road comportment, smooth transmission, quality of construction, well-tuned steering CONS: insufficient storage, small outside mirrors, ¾ rear visibility, nonperforated roof rails, seating for just 4, complexity of MMI system 2007 AUDI A6 Engine: 24-valve, 3.2-litre V6; 32-valve, 4.2-litre V8 Horsepower: 255 hp at 6,500 rpm; 350 hp at 6,800 rpm Torque: 243 lb-ft at 3,250 rpm; 325 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm Transmission: 6-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: disc/disc Wheelbase: cm Length: cm Width: cm (with mirrors) Height: cm

4 Weight: 1,830 to 1,915 kg Tires: 225/55R16; 245/45R17; 245/40R18; 255/35R19 Maximum towing capacity: not available Airbags: dual front, plus two side and two curtain airbags Fuel consumption with V6: Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 12.5 L/100 km (23 mpg) Highway: 8.1 L/100 km (35 mpg) Test result: 12.2 L/100 km (23.5 mpg) Test temperature: 12 C to 25 C Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres Fuel requirement: premium grade gasoline Acceleration: km/h: 7.9 seconds km/h: 5.4 seconds Competition: Acura RL, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac STS, Infiniti M35 and M45, Jaguar S-Type, Lexus GS, Mercedes E-Class, Volvo S80 and V70 Warranty: Full basic coverage: 4 years/80,000 km Powertrain: 4 years/80,000 km Surface corrosion: 4 years/80,000 km Perforation damage: 12 years/unlimited km Emissions control system: 4 years/80,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module, onboard diagnostic system). Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $1,170 Front brake disc: $117 Brake pads: $134 Muffler: $528 (each) Front fender: $451 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, male or female driver 30 to 40 years old): $1,026 to $1,428 Price according to trim level: A6 3.2: $62,700 A6 3.2 Avant: $66,200 A6 4.2: $75,600

5 Main options: Navigation system: $2,100 Adaptive air suspension: $3,000 $ (Avant) Adaptive cruise control: $2,700 Rearview camera : $1,000 Convenience package: $3,980 Technology package: $3,700 S-Line package: $3,450 with 18 inches wheels ($4,200 with 19 inches wheels) Price as tested: $82,470 Freight and preparation: $1,850 Dealers: Quebec: 7 Canada: 36 August All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec