Audi A6 Avant

As much as some car makers will kid you otherwise, space counts for almost everything when it comes to estate cars. Yes, there is a niche for sleek "sportwagon" style models, but if you are building a proper estate car you need to build big, Fortunately Audi had a great foundation for their latest Avant estate model in the shape of the A6, the biggest bruiser on the executive car block.

It's easy to underestimate the amount of detailed design that goes into a top notch estate car. The first step is to design the glass house using all the existing cars "hard points" and then make sure it complies with any number of rigidity, acoustic, thermai, safety and legislative criteria. Once you've jumped through these hoops, the detailing needs to be finalised. This is what separates a good estate car from a great one and where so much work has been lavished on the A6 Avant.

It's tough to know where to start, so rich in features is the cars load bay. The 105cm wide load floor is free from significant rear suspension intrusion and is usefully flat (always a plus on an estate model). That's the basics. It's also features a pair of recessed rails and these are the key to many of the A6's features. They are fitted with four sliding, adjustable and lockable lashing eyes and its possible to couple the lashing eyes with the standard luggage net so that bags aren't sent flying around the load bay during spirited cornering. Bag hooks integrated into the luggage compartment and an additional luggage net on one side also keep things firmly in place. A lockable side compartment can be specified as an optional extra, helping to keep valuables safely out of sight.

 That would be it for most manufacturers. Not Audi. Beneath the luggage bay floor, there is a large plastic tray that's ideal for storing muddy boots or wet items. The floor itself can be locked into a number of positions to prevent objects sliding around in the load area. Perhaps the A6 Avant's neatest trick is to offer an optional telescopic rail which slots into the conventional rail mechanism and can be used to wedge luggage into place. A retaining strap can be used to pin objects securely against the sides of the luggage compartment at the push of a button.

Breaking the eggs on the way home from Sainsbury's would seem to be an act of almost wilful negligence in an A6 Avant. Optional storage boxes, reversible rubberised floor mats, a detachable ski or snowboard bag and an internal cycle rack system ware all available if you have the funds. Suffice to say, Audi have left virtually no stone unturned in their quest to provide the best executive estate car money can buy. When it comes to offering a meticulously thought through solution, the A6 is quite simply peerless. It's big and its clever and it starts at €37,525. What's not to like?

Read more articles CLICK HERE