It's a wagon thing

Where North Americans were served SUVs, the Europeans remained with the station wagon. There was certain wisdom in our counterparts overseas where they realised that SUVs may fit in the streets of Urban North America but not in the heart of Paris or London, that and the ever climbing price of petrol. As we have now caught up to the European reality of expensive fuel, we are re-examining our need for trucks. Our families cannot be downsized, however our chosen means of getting around can be.

With the rise of interest in station wagons, more manufacturers are jumping onto the band "station" wagon. The Breaks, Tourings and Estates, as they are known in Europe, are available as affordable family transportation and as high-end super-posh luxury cruisers. One of the later is the all-new Audi A6 Avant which I was kindly given the keys to for a one week stint.

The A6 Avant's base price is of $66,010. With options, the car will reach $88,000. My tester included the Technology package, the adaptive air suspension and cruise control for a total of $82,485.

Styling

The A6 Avant is bold and massive. The roofline is long and swept rearward towards the hatch. I thoroughly take pleasure in manufacturers branding each and every one of their cars and I particularly like the VW/Audi style grille. The sense of size is amplified by the extra-long wheelbase and the width of the track. The L.E.D. taillights are especially attractive. They look like nothing else on the road at the moment although this type of bulb is becoming increasingly popular on late model vehicles. The panels gaps are perfect and paint finish is nearly perfect. The Oyster Gray wagon could have only been made more handsome with the optional 18" 7-spoke wheels.

The passenger quarters are an odd mix of high-tech and low budget design. The plethora of controls, including Audi's MMI (Multi-Media Interface), located on the center console surrounding the shifter is interesting at first. When driving though, they quickly become a handful. What is important to remember is that the steering-wheel mounted audio controls and the HVAC knobs are readily reachable. For accessing the navigation menu (more complex than need be by the way) and car settings, it is best to do it when the car is immobile. What is certain is that Audi's MMI is by far more user friendly than BMW's revised I-Drive. One item that disappointed me terribly was that the intelligent key, after a few days, no longer allowed me to start the engine by simply using the Start button. The design of the dashboard is simple and plain. The materials used are of good quality but there is too much plain plastic on the upper portion. The A4's dash is smarter looking. The chrome-framed wood inlays on the dash and the doors nicely offset the plastic to give the cabin a richer taste.

The firm and supportive seats are power multi-way adjustable and heated. My tester was even equipped with the optional rear heated bench. Comfort is present for all occupants as there is plenty of room for four adults. A middle or fifth passenger in the rear will not be so lucky. The trunk also receives the same attention to detail as the rest of the interior with useful securing rails and other cargo arrangements. The Audi audio system with 10 speakers belts out a wonderfully rich and powerful sound.