Audi’s next flagship wagon with combustion power, spied testing in the snow, won’t be called the A6.
While Audi is set to launch a wagon version of its upcoming Premium Platform Electric-based A6 e-tron, the current petrol- and diesel-powered A6 Avant will make way for an A7 Avant.
Audi appears to be trying to keep its nomenclature simple as it rolls out more electric models. To that end, all electric models will have even numbers, while all combustion-powered models will have odd numbers.
The strategy will also see the current A4 Avant rechristened as an A5.
The next-generation A7 range reportedly won’t be wagon-only, though it’s unclear if the current A6 sedan and A7 liftback will be replaced by two separate models.
The smaller A4 sedan and A5 Sportback are rumoured to be merging into a single model with the next-generation A5 family.
Also unclear is whether there’ll be a higher-riding allroad variant of the A7 Avant, as there is of the A6 Avant presently.
Our spy photographers have captured three different A7 Avant wagons testing, and it appears larger than the current A6 Avant.
The A7 is expected to continue offering petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
It remains to be seen what will power replacements for the current twin-turbo V6 S6 and S7 and twin-turbo V8 RS6 and RS7, though a high-performance plug-in hybrid powertrain is rumoured to be replacing the latter.
Audi appears to be moving to split-level front lighting only for electric models, with the A7 Avant featuring more conventional headlight clusters than the upcoming A6 Avant e-tron.
Comparing their side profiles, the A7 Avant appears longer, lower and sleeker.
There’s a wider grille than on the current A6 Avant, while down back, there’s a full-width lighting assembly and exposed exhaust outlets.
Audi has confirmed it will launch the electric A6 e-tron in Europe in 2024, while the new Audi A5 family and Q5 are launching in the second half of this year on what the brand calls the Premium Platform Combustion.
This is expected to be an updated version of the existing MLB platform.
While Audi has confirmed launch timing for the smaller A5, it has yet to announce timing for the A7 family, which suggests it mightn’t launch until next year.
When the A7 Avant does launch, it will battle the recently redesigned BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon. Only the former is offered in Australia, and only in electric i5 guise.
A6 Avant e-tron
Audi has previously said it won’t follow its rivals in dropping wagons in Australia.
“SUVs are such a strength in the Australian market, but for Audi, we’re very strong in Avant [wagons] and that will continue moving forward,” Audi Australia national product manager Matthew Dale told CarExpert in 2023.
“And allroad. Allroad customers in Australia are unique to Audi – allroad customers will generally buy a new allroad when they come out. So for the foreseeable future, we will continue with allroad in Australia.”
It remains to be seen, however, whether we will receive all of Audi’s next-generation (A5, A6 e-tron, A7) wagons.
Current A6 Avant 
MORE: Everything Audi A7
