2004 Audi A6/allroad quattro: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

A V8 for the allroad quattro and a new sports model help Audi bring down the curtain on the 1998-2004 A6 generation. Due for '05 is a redesigned A6 with new styling, more V6 power, and more features. The '04 roster starts with the 3.0 sedan and 3.0 Avant wagon. Both have a 3.0-liter V6. The sporty new 2.7T S-Line sedan shares with the SUV-flavored allroad quattro 2.7T wagon a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6. The 4.2 sedan and new allroad quattro 4.2 wagon use a 4.2-liter V8. Allroad quattros have height-adjustable suspension to increase ground clearance. The 3.0 sedan comes with front-wheel drive or Audi's quattro all-wheel drive. All other A6s are quattros. The 2.7T allroad quattro offers a 6-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate. This automatic is mandatory for other A6s except the front-drive 3.0 sedan, which has a continuously variable automatic transmission. Like other CVTs, it provides variable drive ratios, but can access six preset "gears" via a manual shift gate or steering-wheel buttons. All A6s have front side airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, ABS, and antiskid/traction control. Available are rear side airbags, rear-obstacle detection, OnStar assistance, and satellite radio.