2012 Audi A6 Avant launches with less weight and better engines

Audi has kept the wraps on the 2012 A6 Avant until the very last moment. The car just went on sale Germany, and Audi is rolling it in Europe through the Fall. Now Audi is telling buyers what to expect. The new Avant is lighter and comes with a suite of economical and powerful engines.

The added hatchback to the Avant gives the car a sleek, arrow-like appearance. The body is made of 20% aluminum, reduces the weight 70kg from the previous A6 Avant. In contemporary Audi style, front and rear LEDs are optional to give the wagon a little of that R8 look. Out back, the car can hold 565 liters in the trunk or an astounding 1,680 liters with the rear seats folded down. 

At launch the A6 Avant will be available with two gasoline engines and three diesels: the 2.8 FSI petrol V6, 3.0 TFSI supercharged petrol V6, 2.0 TDI and 3.0 TDI. Start/Stop functionality is standard on all of the engines.

However, Audi is promising a new, range-topping 3.0 TDI with 313hp and 479 lb/ft of torque to come later on. The engine is the same 3.0 TDI already available in the A6 Avant but modified to use twin-turbochargers. At low speeds only the smaller turbo is working, above 2,500 rpm both turbos are boosting the engine, and above 4,000 rpm a valve opens that allows only the larger turbo to operate. Fuel consumption is 6.4l/100km and it produces 169g/km of CO2. This engine will only be available with Quattro and Audi's 8-speed tiptronic transmission.

The new Avant is already full of advanced technology, but it is also available with a host of optional equipment. This includes things that you might expect like Audi's MMI in-car entertainment system, but the Avant can also be purchased with a heads-up display with a 262mm x 87mm screen and a far infrared camera for safer driving at night.

The new A6 Avant is available for sale now starting  at €40,450. Audi also allows buyers to build there own A6 Avant now but only on its German web site.