This week’s debut

New Audi A6 Allroad: the third generation is also available as a plug-in hybrid

It is over 11 centimetres wider, rises by over 5 cm when needed and, for the first time, has an electric range of almost 100 kilometres. Prices start at over 82,000 euros

by Simonluca Pini

5' min read

Translated by AI
Versione italiana

5' min read

Translated by AI
Versione italiana

 

Are you looking for a vehicle with a spacious load compartment that can handle off-road terrain, but are you fed up with the usual large SUVs? The solution comes in the form of the new Audi A6 Allroad, now in its third generation and boasting a long list of new features, starting with a body that’s a full 11 centimetres wider. Whereas in the past the main aesthetic differences centred on a series of additional protective features, for the first time in its 27-year history the car has been noticeably widened with brand-new parts. Compared to the A6 Avant on which it is based, it is 11.1 centimetres longer and 8.4 cm wider than the previous model. The technical package includes adaptive air suspension as standard, variable ride height of up to 55 millimetres, quattro ultra all-wheel drive and off-road driving programmes.

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Audi A6 Allroad 2026: dimensions and styling

The Audi A6 Allroad is 5.02 metres long, 1.99 metres wide and 1.51 metres high, with a wheelbase of 2.93 metres. As with the Audi A6 Avant, the boot capacity ranges from 466 to 1,497 litres (404 to 1,423 litres for the plug-in variant). As standard, the rear seats split 40:20:40; the tailgate and overhead storage compartment are electrically operated; and there is a rail system with four lashing points, plus a lashing strap, a net and two hooks. The optional lashing kit, comprising a telescopic bar and strap, allows the luggage compartment to be divided to suit specific requirements. The off-road styling is emphasised by a minimum ground clearance that is 3.4 centimetres greater than that of the Audi A6 Avant and 1.6 cm greater than that of the previous generation. At the front, the large three-dimensional single-frame grille in the classic allroad style stands out, featuring advanced digital Matrix LED headlamps and OLED 2.0 light clusters. The lower sections of the bumpers, the wheel arch trims and the side skirts are finished in black as standard, as are the underbody protection, the specific roof rails, the window surrounds and the inserts around the air extractor. A contrasting matt silver aluminium styling package is available as an option. There are eight body colours to choose from, whilst the wheel range includes wheels with diameters of up to 21 inches; the tyres fitted to these feature acoustic foam inserts to reduce rolling noise. The optional tow bar can be unlocked electrically: depending on the engine variant, the towing capacity is 2,000 kg for the plug-in hybrid or 2,500 kg for the V6 TDI. This latter figure is 400 kilograms higher than that of the Audi A6 Avant.

Audi A6 Allroad interior

Inside, we find the same interior layout as seen on the A6 Avant, with three 11.9-inch monitors on the dashboard in front of the driver, a 14.5-inch OLED display at the centre of the curved infotainment system, and a 10.9-inch screen dedicated to the front passenger. The vehicle’s electronic architecture is underpinned by five ‘IT platforms’ that control the vehicle’s functions. This platform enables interaction between artificial intelligence (ChatGPT) and the voice assistant, as well as the use of the Android Automotive OS.

PPC platform

The PPC thermal platform has been developed and promises a highly enjoyable driving experience thanks to its high torsional rigidity and features such as the standard all-wheel steering on the plug-in variant: the rear axle, via a screw-and-transverse-link system, causes the rear wheels – at low speeds and up to 60 km/h – to turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels by up to 5 degrees, thereby enhancing agility on tight, winding roads and improving handling. Conversely, at medium and high speeds, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front wheels, improving directional stability.

allroad adaptive air suspension

The Allroad’s adaptive air suspension is fitted as standard and features specific settings tailored to both on-road and off-road use. The maximum travel is 55 millimetres: 25 mm more than the Audi A6 Avant.

The ride height varies depending on speed and the driving mode selected via Audi drive select. At motorway speeds – that is, from 120 km/h – and in ‘dynamic’ mode, the ground clearance is reduced by 20 mm to improve handling and aerodynamics. In “balance”, “comfort” and “efficiency” modes, the ride height is +34 mm higher than on the Audi A6 Avant with air suspension. When selecting the ‘offroad’ and ‘offroad+’ settings, the minimum ground clearance increases by 15 mm compared to the standard setting (up to 85 km/h). At the same time, the calibration of the electro-hydraulic dampers adapts to the new ride height. In “offroad+” mode, the traction control system also allows for moderate tyre slip, enabling the accumulation of dirt and snow to improve traction in low-grip conditions, whilst the S tronic dual-clutch transmission holds the gear for longer, shifting at higher revs than usual to maximise responsiveness and power delivery. Finally, when ‘lift’ mode is selected, the ride height is raised by a further 20 mm (up to 35 km/h) compared with the level associated with the ‘offroad’ and ‘offroad+’ setups, thus reaching +35 mm compared with the base setup. When the Audi drive select assistant is activated, it automatically selects the most appropriate programme. As with the previous model, the car features standard equipment that facilitates off-road driving via the MMI display; thanks to the tilt angle display function, the driver can monitor the vehicle’s longitudinal and lateral tilt. If there is a risk of the vehicle rolling over or the bodywork being damaged, a warning alerts the driver. The dedicated screen also displays the steering angle of the wheels and the air suspension level.

Audi A6 Allroad plug-in hybrid

At launch, the third-generation A6 allroad is available with the 3.0 TDI V6 48-volt mild-hybrid plus engine featuring two-stage turbocharging and delivering 299 cavalli, or – for the first time in the model’s history – with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Specifically, the 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder engine (turbocharged direct-injection petrol) with 252 cv, based on the Miller cycle, is paired with a 143 cv permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor, delivering a maximum combined power output of 367 cv and 500 Nm of torque, ensuring acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, with a self-limited top speed of 250 km/h. The high-voltage battery, with a nominal capacity of 25.9 kWh (20.7 kWh effective), provides a range of up to 95 kilometres (WLTP) in pure electric mode, whilst the maximum AC (AC) stands at 11 kW, allowing the battery to be fully recharged in 2.5 hours.

quattro ultra all-wheel drive

Both engine variants of the Audi A6 allroad come as standard with quattro ultra all-wheel drive. This system ensures the powertrain operates particularly efficiently, activating torque distribution to the rear axle only when necessary. At the heart of the system are two clutches: the first – a multi-plate clutch – is located at the gearbox output and is responsible for decoupling the drive shaft when driving conditions and the driver’s driving style allow for front-wheel drive alone. The second, integrated into the rear differential, is designed to engage in order to eliminate energy loss and drag.

Price of the new Audi A6 Allroad

The Audi A6 Allroad quattro, due to arrive at Italian dealerships during the fourth quarter of 2026 and available in the Business, Business Advanced and S line trim levels, with prices starting at €82,350 for the 299 cavalli 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic variant and €88,650 for the 36 cavalli e-hybrid quattro S tronic version.

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