The path less travelled

Since its first appearance way back in 1999, the Audi allroad has always constituted something out of the ordinary. Arriving on the world scene before ‘SUV' became part of the everyday vernacular, or before anyone had heard of a ‘crossover’ vehicle, it represented the marriage of two disparate automotive types.

On the one hand the allroad quattro (as it became known in production form) was a beautifully appointed, luxury Avant, while on the other, it possessed a ‘go anywhere’ ability not usually associated with luxury wagons. Of course the allroad quattro didn’t have a transfer case for hardcore off-road driving, but it did have Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive and it had greater clearance than most wagon or Avant vehicles, as well as additional underbody protection against rocks and debris found on less forgiving surfaces than finished blacktop. Suspension could raise or lower the car depending on the settings and the driving style, giving additional clearance on rutted or potholed surfaces, while dropping back to more traditional ride heights once back on the freeway for seamless, more aerodynamic cruising at highway speeds.

The allroad quattro also looked significantly more robust than your common or garden Avant, with its contrasting wheel arches and aluminium protection plates visible under the front and rear of the car, striking the perfect balance between ‘tough, capable tourer’ and elegant Audi Avant.

Inside though, the allroad was 100 percent Audi luxury, with a beautifully finished cabin that wanted for nothing in terms of appointment or state-of-the-art automotive equipment.

This combination struck a chord with customers all over the world, but particularly here in Australia, where the ability to comfortably traverse unsealed roads in a refined vehicle as opposed to a more agricultural 4WD was tremendously appealing.

Now, all these years later, preparations are well underway for the Australian arrival of the fifth generation A6 allroad – due here in the first half of 2027. The all-new A6 allroad will touch down with two powertrains confirmed by Audi Australia – a 220kW version powered by a V6 TDI quattro with mild hybrid plus technology and an e-hybrid quattro variant producing 270kW. Priced from $137,900* for the V6 TDI and $127,900* for the e-hybrid model, the A6 allroad again offers tremendous versatility with its combination of luxurious Avant, but with the ability go far beyond the blacktop.

Boasting the most impressive array of technology and equipment ever seen on an allroad model, this fifth generation promises to further elevate the already revered nameplate, with standard air suspension, all-wheel steering and a giant panoramic glass roff with switchable transparency just some of the standout features of the new car. Indeed the incoming allroad features more than $10,000 more in additional standard equipment over its predecessor and the introduction of plug-in hybrid technology for the first time in an allroad, adds the ability to travel up to 87 kilometres in purely electric drive, further broadening the appeal to customers seeking that duality.

The new A6 allroad continues the tradition of a striking looking vehicle, but the new styling is quite a departure from previous models, with a distinctive wide-bodied design – 84mm wider than its predecessor – that lacks nothing in terms of road presence.

A standard black exterior styling package includes black roof rails, contrasting exterior elements and 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels in a black metallic, with a gloss-turned finish. The e-hybrid rides on larger, 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels in a six-flat-spoke design.

The A6 allroad features Matrix LED headlights and LED rear tail lights with a full-width light strip as standard, while the optional Premium package introduces digital Matrix LED headlights and digital OLED rear lighting technology for those wanting to up the ante even further.

The new allroad is unapologetically aggressive in its styling, drawing on Audi’s long and storied history of producing performance wagons, or Avants, to use the correct terminology.

When the first iteration of the allroad touched down in Australia all those years ago it was available with either TDI or 2.7-litre TFSI drivetrains. This new model also gives that choice to customers, albeit with a contemporary spin.

The new A6 allroad TDI quattro is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine producing 220kW and 580Nm of torque, with power going down to the road via a seven-speed S tronic transmission to Audi’s quattro with ultra technology. It also features Audi's latest mild hybrid plus technology which incorporates a belt alternator starter and powertrain generator, supported by an electrically powered compressor that improves engine responsiveness, particularly at lower engine speeds.

The new plug-in hybrid model combines a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver a total system output of 270kW and 500Nm. Using a high-voltage battery with capacity of 25.9 kWh (gross) and 20.7 kWh (net) it provides the aforementioned electric range of up to 87km.

Regardless of the drivetrain, the new allroad again provides a sublime ride regardless of the road surface thanks to adaptive air suspension which was specifically designed for the vehicle. It allows for a total adjustment range of 55mm allowing drivers to adapt the vehicle's ride height and suspension characteristics through the Audi drive select to best suit the conditions.

This means that the ride hide can be lowered by as much as 20mm when the allroad is in dynamic model for greater stability and handling at speed, while at the other end of the spectrum, the off-road and off-road+ modes raise the vehicle by 15mm. Where the road surface calls for even greater ground clearance, the aptly named ‘lift mode’ steps things up by 35mm (available at speeds of up to 35km/h) in order to tackle more challenging terrain. The all-wheel steering which is another standard inclusion also contributes to manoeuvrability over trickier terrain as well as adding to handing as the road surfaces improve and the speeds increase.

Indeed, out on the open road or even on the less than ideal Australian B roads, the combination of all-wheel and progressive steering, along with the quattro give the A6 allroad a surefooted feel and smooth ride that sees it fit comfortably earn its luxury label.

That luxurious side is particularly evident in the cabin, with its electrically adjustable front seats with pneumatic lumbar adjustment and massage functionality as well as heating and ventilation for maximum comfort regardless of the prevailing conditions.

There is of course four-zone climate control and the enormous panoramic glass roof with its switchable transparency, that can be fully ‘clear’ or blocked out in sections to control the amount of natural light allowed into the cabin, as well as completely changing the feel. After dark, this task falls to the dynamic ambient lighting to completely change the mood at the touch of a control.

For those customers wanting to take things even further, there will also be the option of the customised contour seats package, which introduces Nappa leather upholstery in a choice of black or Nutmeg brown with contrasting stitching, pneumatically adjustable seat and backrest bolsters, electrically adjustable thigh support, front passenger seat memory and additional interior trim treatments.

Customers seeking additional convenience and assistance features can select the aforementioned Premium package, which adds digital Matrix LED headlights, digital OLED rear lights, as well as power-latching doors, a heated steering wheel, heated rear outer seats, an electrically adjustable steering column, advanced parking functionality and manual rear-door sunblinds.

Technology and its integration serves to both enhance the interior experience and make ease of operation a priority. There is the now familiar curved OLED digital stage with 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus alongside a 14.5-inch OLED MMI touch display presenting all relevant vehicle information and allowing fingertips control of navigation, entertainment and all aspects of connectivity.

The new A6 allroad also includes a 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display as standard equipment as part of a long and impressive list of features that once again elevate the latest iteration of this iconic model.

Think everything from connect plus with its connected navigation, infotainment, security and assistance functionality, to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Smartphone charging is seamless and cordless thanks to the cooled inductive smartphone charging system, while digital radio is also standard equipment. Likewise the 16-speaker, 685 watt Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System is standard fitment, turning the cabin into the ultimate sound stage.

Less visible and but no less important should the unthinkable should happen, is the impressive standard array of safety and driver assistance system offered in the A6 allroad. These systems monitor and act on everything from warning of cross traffic on trying to exit a difficult parking sport, to protection for passengers against opening a door into an approaching hazard or warning against a potential accident. In addition, the less dramatic, but no less important in terms of day-to-day usability, the likes of A 360-degree camera system, park assist plus, speed sign recognition and a front dash camera are also standard across both variants.

The A6 allroad is an outstanding contemporary execution of that original go anywhere, luxury Avant. It showcases the advances made in engine and safety technology as well as the very latest in infotainment and connectivity, but still retains that unique character that set the original apart. Despite its extraordinary versatility, it retains the driving dynamics of an Avant, which to many is what puts the A6 allroad squarely in a class of its own. Before there was SUV, there was Audi allroad – and this new model perfectly illustrates the enduring appeal of this unique model.

The vehicles shown in these images are international press vehicles and are used for illustrative purposes only. They may not reflect exact vehicle specifications for Australia.

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)