New Audi A6 Allroad – the German alternative to the Volvo V90 Cross Country

A new Audi A6 Allroad – based on the A6 Avant – arrives 20 years on from the firts Allroad model, offering a real alternative for buyers who don’t want an SUV.

Audi has had the ‘Allroad’ market for premium butch estate cars sewn up for a long time – it’s 20 years since the first Audi Allroad arrived – but these days there’s more competition. Especially the very good Volvo V90 Cross Country.

But now there’s a new Audi A6 Allroad to tackle the excellent competition from Sweden, and it goes on sale in August in the UK priced from a round £55k, not just as competition for the Volvo, but as an ideal alternative for those who like mwaht an SUV can do, but don’t want to drive around in a Chelsea Tractor.

Based on the Audi A6 Avant, the new A6 Allroad sits 45mm higher for improved ability on rugged surfaces, comes with adaptive air suspension, tuned for a bit of off-roading and automatically adjusting to match speed and use. There’s also hill descent control and tilt angle assistance.

Audi are offering the A6 Allroad in the UK in entry-level Sport spec and also in Vorsprung spec which throws lots of toys in to the equation. Cosmetic changes from the A6 Estate include a new grille, butch plastic cladding, underbody protection, new roof rails and even a new paint job – Gavial Green.

Unlike Volvo, which has largely eschewed diesel engines, Audi will only be offering the A6 Allroad in the UK with diesel power, a choice of the 45 TDI or 50 TDI.

The A6 Allroad 45 TDI gets 228bhp and 369lb/ft of torque, and the 50 TDI 282bhp and 457lb/ft of torque, with both benefiting from 48V mild hybrid technology promising improved economy. Both come with 4WD and eight-speed auto.

Audi say the A6 Allroad won’t be on sale in the UK until August, with prices starting at around £55k.