Next-gen Audi A6 Avant debuts March 4 with gas engines

Audi has provided a first glimpse of its next-generation A6 Avant and confirmed the model will make its official debut on March 4.

The automaker recently launched the electric A6 E-Tron model family and had originally planned to rename the gas-powered A6 as the A7, aligning with a new naming strategy where even-numbered models were reserved for EVs and odd-numbered names for internal-combustion cars.

However, earlier in February, Audi announced that it was abandoning this plan and reverting to its previous naming convention, where powertrain descriptors like E-Tron for EVs and TFSI for gas-powered models would differentiate models within the lineup.

Camouflaged prototypes of the new A6 sedan and A6 Avant wagon have been spotted testing for over a year. The new A6 is expected to arrive in the U.S. as a 2026 model, though it’s unclear which body styles will be offered stateside. As with the outgoing generation, the Avant variant may be limited to the A6 Allroad soft-roader and high-performance RS 6.

While Audi has yet to reveal technical specifications, the new A6 is expected to utilize Volkswagen Group’s PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) architecture, designed for premium vehicles with gas and plug-in hybrid powertrains. This platform made its debut in the new A5 and features standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive.

The arrival of the next-generation A6 continues Audi’s ongoing model offensive, which includes not only the new A5, but also the A6 E-Tron and Q6 E-Tron EVs, along with upcoming versions of the Q5 and Q5 Sportback. Additionally, a new Q3 is set to debut later this year.