2009 Audi A6 Avant

History

Though Audi was not defined as the standalone brand we know today until the 1960s, its founding goes back all the way to the turn of the 20^th century. The history in those intervening 50 odd years is complex but in the 30s, four different company’s – Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer – merged to form Auto Union and the well-known logo showing four interconnected rings. Those rings wouldn’t become associated with Quattro until 1980 with the Audi Ur-Quattro coupe.

The Audi 80 and 100 from the early 70s were the first vehicles readily available to North American consumers. They were also the progenitors of today’s A4 and A6 lineup. The 100 model, also sold as the Audi 5000, was internally known as the C1. It was followed by the C2, C3 and C4 into the 90s. The A6 naming convention appeared during the C4 generation and became its own line starting with the C5 vehicles launched in 1997. The 2009 A6 Avant being auctioned here is part of the C6 generation that ran from 2004-2011.

The most obvious external change with the new A6 lineup in 2004 was Audi’s dramatic “single-frame” gaping front maw of a grille. The Multi Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system was on its third-generation and direct injection was introduced under the Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) name. Previewed by the striking 2001 Avantissimo concept, the Avant appeared in 2005. A gentle 2008 sheet metal facelift coincided with a new, supercharged 3.0L V6 option making 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, like the one in this ’09 Avant’s engine bay.