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2009 Audi A6 Avant 3.0T
Winnipeg, Manitoba – I’ll admit it right from the start: I’m a wagon man. It’s a body style that has been shunned by a whole generation to the point where automakers have had to come up with hipper names than “wagon” to stir up interest in their hatched conveyances, usually with the word “sport” strategically placed in the title. Today it’s more common to see companies jacking them up a couple of inches, changing the name completely, and calling them crossovers. But there’s no way around it: a wagon is the best way to get practicality and performance in one vehicle. And done right, it can be quite the looker as well. And my, has Audi done this one right.
The subject of my adoration this week is Audi’s A6 Avant with the company’s new supercharged 3.0-litre V6 powerplant, which I’ll get to in a moment. Before you accuse Audi of using the Avant name to make its wagons sound cool, let the record show that the company has been using this name in North America since the ‘80s when the minivan was in its infancy and wagons were actually still cool.
The A6 is Audi’s mid-sized car line, slotting neatly between the A4 and A8 in size and price. While a variety of engines (two V6s and one V8) and drivetrains (front- and all-wheel drive) are available in the A6 sedan – and then there’s the V10-powered S6 – the Avant comes exclusively with the mid-level 3.0T V6 and quattro all-wheel drive.
  2009 Audi A6 Avant 3.0T. Click image to enlarge |
Audi has long used a “T” suffix to denote that forced induction in the form of turbocharging was taking place under the hood, but this one is different. The 3.0T is actually force-fed its air via a mechanical supercharger, providing up to 11.6 psi of boost to the tune of 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Yes, it thinks it’s a V8, with the zero-to-100 km/h sprint taking only 6.1 seconds according to Audi.
A six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission manages power delivery, and my tester had optional shift “paddles” on the backside of the upper steering wheel spokes.
The A6 Avant features the latest in Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive developments, with a torque-sensing centre differential that apportions motive force front-to-rear according to traction demands (the default power split is a rear-biased 40:60). Front and rear differentials can further influence left-to-right power distribution using electronic differential locks.
As a system, this drivetrain is superb, providing effortless thrust and seamless shifts accompanied by a spirited soundtrack, even though the expected supercharger whine is absent. The big Audi has a tight suspension yet it swallows uneven pavement in stride. Surprisingly, steering effort is a little too light under low-speed conditions, but dial up the g-forces in the corners and the wheel tightens up appropriately.
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at 6:33 am
As much as I like wagons, why do the Germans have to charge so much more for them than their “crossover” or SUV brethren? Why pony up $67,000 for an A6 when its stablemate the Q7 offers 7 seats (at extra cost) and starts at $54,200. I’d love to own an A6, but its too expensive, along with all its German wagon competitors.
I ended up buying a 2008 Saab 9-5 Sportcombi (wagon) last year for substantially less money but similar in size and still delivers 260 HP from a 4 cylinder engine. Its also great on gas. It doesn’t have the driving dynamics of the Germans, but its still plenty of fun to drive.
at 8:21 am
I would like to see what this wagon looks like. where is the side and front view?
at 8:58 am
I love wagons, too, but as Randy Plunkett points out, the SUV equivalent is usually markedly less expensive. Until manufacturers bring down the prices in line with or less than those of SUV’s, it will be hard to justify throwing down the sizeable premium for the wagon.
at 9:30 am
The sad thing is that all of the wagons are always loaded down with options, and for some models, are not available. Cases-in-point: The Mercedes C-class wagons are not sold in Canada, the Mercedes E-Class comes only with a huge engine, leather, automatic, and all-wheel drive, and the Audi A6 wagon as well. Years ago I had a beautiful A6 wagon as a rental in Germany, with a 2.4 litre engine, manual cloth seats, manual transmission, and none of the gizmos. If a basic A6 was available in Canada for around $40,000, I’d buy it in a second. But who in their right mind buys a car in the $70,000 price range?
at 9:52 am
@Tall One, well there IS the new Golf Wagon, which drives well (though no AWD), is available with a diesel, and tops out at ~$40k fully loaded.
at 10:00 am
I agree with all of the above when you guys mention the outrageous pricing on these wagons….i love wagon as well and they add more cargo room and most actually look real nice but when it comes to Audi and VW you always have to be careful due to the bad reliability they are known for. Plus for any Audi you are also looking at premium fuel…another great alternative along with the Saab would be the Subaru Outback….You can load it up with all the goodies and its a lot more capable off road then any other wagon and you will only pay $40,795 so you can buy one fully loaded and one thats not for the price of one Audi.
Seriously just look at the test drives on YOUTUBE for the Outback and see how great it drives both on and off road. Subaru Outback would be my choice.
at 10:38 am
I love wagon as well, and Audi always make beautiful wagons.
As with you guys, I too think the price is way too high for these premium German uber wagons. I can only look at the R class, which is almost $20000 cheaper than the E klass wagon (especially with discounts), it also offer much better space and budget.
I would love to see a E280 or even E200 Kompressor/CDI E Class Wagon, preferably RWD. Just where are all these smaller European engines? even these 1.4/1.6 TSI VW engines are great now selling oversea.
I guess the demand/concept is way too differ than Europe/Asia.
I had a Jetta Wagon TDI loaded before, as well Subaru/Saab/Toyota… but they will never drives like a MB/Audi… especially RWD wagons.
at 11:12 am
This is the car that will be replacing my 06 V70R next spring. I tested a 2008 and found the 3.2 weak in the kees. This has been corrected for 2009+. That being said I have a few issues with the review:
Why are you reviewing a 2009 when the 2010s are available? Has this review been lying around for a year? The 2010 A6 Special edition includes all the optional equipment listed plus more for around $67k. Again pricey but Audi has done a major price chop on the A6 Avant. Probably becuase nobody was buying them and the Cdn dollar has tightened to the US again.
Try to get some timely relevent info when releasing a review. You are more out of date than a paper car rag.
at 11:14 am
$20k difference between an R-Class and comparable E-class wagon?? That is unbelievable. I am reminded of the saying about a fool and his money.
at 11:19 am
Beautiful, but where is the 3.0 litre diesel option?
at 1:05 pm
70k for a wagon????
Thats why I hold on to my 2002 Honda CRV 5 speed manual, it is the only Honda may wagon like with AWD, happy reving 5 speed maunal 4 cylinder and less than $30K.
Too bad that even Honda stopped producing 5 speed CRV.
at 1:11 pm
I agree with the whole cost thing. I have a Mazda6 GT Wagon, 6spd auto V6 with every option available at the time (GPS etc.) It topped out just over $40,000. Considering a comparable Cx-7 or Cx-9 was around the same price, how is it that the Germans have such a gap between SUV and Wagon. I have to say this Mazda6 is one of the best cars I’ve ever had. Quick, comfortable, great looking and roomy. I’d get another wagon in a second.
at 6:27 pm
Har har har! A $75k V6 wagon. No thanks.
at 9:54 pm
I owned a 84 AVANT 5000 5 cylinders. new cost $24000. drove it till 280,000 km. Presently I have a 2008 Passat wagon (trendline) $32000. Why pay twice as much for the A6 Avant?
at 10:10 pm
KTM: Good point with the currency exchange.
While let say, the R350 is only $42000 USD down there, and is loaded with options all you needed including parking sensors / bixenons…etc prem features.
at 5:47 pm
KTM: I blame Audi Canada. They are always very slow at bringing new models here.
at 1:28 am
I’d like to see how the 2009 Passat 3.6 4MOTION with all options fares against her cousin on paper. Versus the 328xiT & A4 Avant the Passat 3.6 makes sense but the A6 goes against the 535xiT and E500 Tourer so in that case, this is actually priced accordingly. Too bad Volvo will be sold shortly and Saab is gone. I think in time, people will appreciate what the Scandi’s brought to the table. The Volvo V70 & Saab 9-5 wagons always seemed right in the middle of VW & the fancy 3 Germans which appealed to buyers who didn’t want a Subaru Outback or a VW Passat. The new CTS Caddi wagon should also, in theory, do very well against the 535xiT, A6 Avant & E500 Touring. Similar size, AWD optional and good pricing, advanced engines and solid warranties. I think a wagon renaissance is coming… albeit, a pricey one for Canada. PS: Wouldn’t a Taurus SHO wagon look good too?
at 9:28 am
It was frustrating to read through the article and not find any … PICTURES OF THE CAR being reviewed! We did get a pointless photo of the “3.0T” lettering. Gee thanks.
at 6:35 pm
Louka should also point out that wagons in general don’t sell, and at the end of the day you get killed on resale value…but he loves em.