AUSmotive.com

This is the new Audi A6 allroad. And, unlike its A4 sibling, it will be coming to Australia. The third-generation of A6 Avant-based offroader will be on our shores in the second half of this year.

Naturally, the A6 allroad features all the mod cons you’d expect, including four-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control and head-up display to name just a few. There’s 565 litres of boot space in the back, which can be expanded to 1680 litres with the rear seats folded down.

As you’d expect a car like this is a bit of a porker, but Audi has done well to strip 70kg away compared to the old model. Still, that means the A6 allroad is now just over 1800kg instead of just under 1900kg.

Overseas there are two engines available. First, there’s a petrol powered 3.0 TFSI good for 228kW/440Nm. Then there’s a 3.0 TDI which you can have in three different engine tunes: 150kW/450Nm, 180kW/580Nm and 230kW/650Nm. The TFSI and two lower-spec TDI models come with a 7-speed S tronic transmission, while the range-topping 230kW TDI is fitted with an 8-speed tiptronic.

It’s not clear at this stage if all those engine choices will be available in Australia, but it’s unlikely. Currently there is only one engine spec for the A6 allroad, which by way of comparison is a 3.0 TDI producing 176kW/500Nm.

More pics and press blurb from Audi can be seen after the break.

Yesterday we brought you a bunch of pics of the new interior from the 2012 Audi A3. Within those images there were a few screen graphics showing an exterior rendering of the third-generation A3. The styling is very similar to the A3 concept from last year’s Geneva Motor Show, as you would expect.

Overnight more images from the A3’s MMI display have emerged and show a three-door hatch from multiple angles. So far the interior seems to be gaining universal praise. But what of the exterior, will that enjoy similar positive reviews?

For our Australian readers, if you do like this three-door A3, don’t get too attached. We hope we’re wrong, but it’s been whispered to us that we will only see five-door versions of the next A3 down under.

[Source: autoforum.cz | Thanks to Aaron for the tip]

Audi has taken a number of displays to the Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas which showcase the interior of the next-generation A3. Inadvertently, perhaps, they have given a sneak preview of the new A3 exterior too.

Let’s start inside where it seems safe to declare Audi will keep the A3 at the top of its class in regards to interior materials and quality. Adding to that, though, the A3 won’t be left behind in terms of functionality either.

Whether it’s Google Earth integration for the navigation system, the multi-purpose ‘touchwheel’, the iPhone-inspired 7″ display screen or the optional Audi Phone Box, the new A3 looks set to keep most gadget freaks happy.

Making room for the MMI controls has seen the demise of the traditional handbrake. The A3 will follow suit on its bigger cousins and now employ a simply switched park brake system.

Audi say the modular construction of its new MMI system will allow for easier upgrading throughout the A3’s model cycle; helping to keep its on-board systems more up to date as technology continues to advance.

Make sure you read the official press guff on the head-up display Audi is working on. There’s too much juicy info to summarise here. Suffice to say it is mind blowing stuff for automotive technology.

Aside from that, take note of the images below which feature images of the car in the display screen. A nice teaser for the A3, which now seems certain to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

We’ve also included a brief video from Autoblog which shows the A3 MMI system in action.

UPDATE 12 January: More exterior images can be seen HERE.