Audi has revealed the new A6 allroad quattro, the third, which, like its predecessors, gets a suspension lift, tough-looking contrasting wheelarch extensions and some brushed metal additions underneath that are meant to look like they might help when the going gets rough.
Six centimetres higher than the regular Avant, it's not going to conquer Everest or the Amazonian jungle, but it'll look great in a ski area or garden centre car park. The air suspension drops by 15mm at speed, while the raised 'allroad' mode gives greater clearance on rough terrain. Likewise, should you be faced with a steep downhill passage the allroad has a hill descent assist function to retain control.
Engine choices include a 3.0-litre TFSI petrol unit with 309hp and a 3.0-litre TDI engine with 204-, 244- or 312hp, though it's unlikely that all powerplants will be offered on the Irish market. The highest output diesel delivers 650Nm of torque and drives through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, its plentiful grunt allowing a 0-100km/h time of just 5.6 seconds. The 204hp model returns 46.3mpg (6.1 litres/100km) on the official combined cycle, with a CO2 figure of 159g/km.
Inside, the A6 allroad quattro gets Audi's usual interpretation of a rugged makeover, with dark black carpeting and instruments as well as aluminium inlays with 'allroad' stamped on them.
It's little more than a jacked up Avant admittedly, but somehow a good bit more desirable, despite an anticipated price hike over the equivalent, non-allroad Avant. Not that it will worry buyers, as Audi admits that it's the allroad over every other car in its range that attracts its highest net worth customers.