2005 Audi A6 Avant Preview

Other driver aids available to A6 Avant buyers include adaptive cruise control which uses radar to maintain a safe distance from

All A6 Avants will feature MMI, Audi's version of the BMW iDrive interface. (Photo: Audi Canada)

cars in front, an electro-mechanical parking brake, rain-sensing wipers, stability and traction control, understeer control and the new trailer oscillation logic which automatically applies the brakes on a trailer preventing it from swaying. Front side and window airbags are also standard equipment.

As for power, the large A6 Avant will be available with a host of gasoline and diesel engines, all in six or eight cylinder configurations. Base models in Europe will feature a 2.4-liter V6 that makes 177 horsepower, with middle range models, and base models in North America, being equipped with an all-new 3.2 liter V6 that features Audi's famed direct injection FSI technology. At 255 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque, it's an immense improvement over the current model's 230 horsepower fare. To compete with the V8-powered competition, Audi will also offer a 335 horsepower 4.2-liter, DOHC, 40-valve V8 with 317 lb-ft of torque.

Two diesel powerplants will also be made available to the A6 Avant, at least in Europe with potential for North American sales

The large A6 Avant will be available with a host of gasoline and diesel engines (the latter not available in North America), all in six or eight cylinder configurations. (Photo: Audi Canada)

after 2006 when new regulations set to clean up the quality of diesel fuel go into effect. These engines include a 225 horsepower3.0-liter V6 TDI with 332 lb-ft of torque and a 2.7 liter V6 TDI which features the advanced piezo injector system. The advanced diesels take common-rail technology one step further by allowing up to five separate injections of fuel into the cylinders per combustion cycle at a mind-bogglingly high pressure of 1,600 bar (23,206 psi). Despite its small size, the 2.7 V6 TDI produces 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, making it capable of propelling the A6 Avant to 100 km/h in just 8.3 seconds while returning a 7.0 L/100 km (40.3 mpg) combined city and highway rating.