Audi will launch the Allroad in June with a choice of two turbodiesels, a 2.7-litre and a 3.0-litre TDI. Both will initially only be available with a Tiptronic automatic transmission, although a manual 3.0-litre will follow in August. Next January, the range will be supplemented with the arrival of 3.2-litre and 4.2-litre FSI engines, featuring direct injection petrol technology.
The 2.7TDi is likely to be by far the biggest seller - and it's not difficult to see why. Developing 178bhp and 280lb-ft of torque, its performance is adequate rather than blisteringly quick - 0-62mph takes 9.3sec - but it's impressively refined and offers plenty of lazy mid-range pull.
The 3.0TDi is £2,850 more expensive, but there are significant performance gains. It delivers 230bhp and 332lb-ft of torque, which is enough to propel the Allroad from 0-62mph in just 7.8sec and on to 143mph. This is one of the world's great engines, delivering performance with refinement. Both diesel models better 32mpg on the combined cycle, making them significantly more fuel efficient than an equivalent SUV. A 3.0TDI Q7, by contrast, manages 26.9mpg.
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| Compares favourably against the regular A6 |
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At the car's Italian launch, we were also able to drive the petrol models. The 3.2-litre, 252bhp V6 sounds terrific, returns 25.6mpg and will have plenty of appeal for those who've sworn allegiance to the green pump. The 4.2-litre V8 is the performance flagship. It offers 346bhp and a 0-62mph time of 6.2sec, but anyone using its thrust to the full is unlikely to match the claimed consumption of 25.2mpg.
The Allroad 3.0TDI costs £2,280 more than an Avant and £780 less than a Q7 fitted with the same engine. But if you add air suspension (a £1,500 option) to the A6, the differential is all but negated. Stir in the fact that the Allroad's residual values are likely to better those of the standard A6 and it starts to look like good value.
Audi's target of 700 sales for the Allroad this year and 900 next might prove pessimistic. This Allroad is a fine car with a broad appeal. It builds on the strengths of the standard A6, without calling for any major compromises. Anyone looking for something a little different in the executive sector should look no further.
