27 Apr 06
The revisions to the interior are subtle to the point of anonymity, with only dedicated A6 spotters noticing the difference. New carpet and monoPur upholstery is designed to withstand the abuse of 'sporty' living, even if most owners are likely to swap it for leather. Aluminium fascia inserts and bespoke 'Allroad quattro' sill plates are standard, but customers will also be able to choose from a selection of woods.
The rest of the cabin is classic A6, which is no bad thing. Beautifully appointed, logically laid out and impressively spacious, it's a haven of good taste. It's also impressively well-equipped, with luxuries such as air suspension, Audi's excellent MultiMedia Interface (MMI) control system, cruise control, climate control and a 10-speaker stereo fitted as standard. So too is Audi load bay system, which allows individual objects, such as a suitcase, to be secured. The benefits of this for regular load-luggers should not be underestimated.
Given that this is an Audi, there's also a plethora of optional extras, shared with the A6. Everything from a TV to voice control and a wooden gearknob can be added to the standard specification. A new addition to the list is a reversing camera, which displays the rear-view on the MMI display screen. It's works superbly but, at £950, it's a pricey luxury - a similar system is fitted as standard to a Nissan Primera.
