INGOLSTADT - Audi's new Avant station wagon will take a bigger proportion of A6 sales than previous generations of the luxury car.
Audi will begin selling the fourth-generation A6 station wagon in Germany in March. Most European countries will get the Avant in April. Sales will start in Japan and the USA in the second half of the year.
The previous Avant accounted for 40 percent of A6 sales. Audi expects the new Avant to take 45 percent. Worldwide sales of the A6 are predicted to reach 130,000 units in 1998.
The Avant's main competitors are the BMW 5 series Touring and the Mercedes-Benz E-class wagon, said Ulrich Hackenberg, head of vehicle concepts at Audi.
Audi will market the Avant to affluent male executives and business-owners. Ninety percent of previous Avant buyers were men. Average household income was DM10,000 ($5,290) a month.
'This is the most attractive clientele in the automotive world,' said Werner Mischke, board member for technical development.
Although it is the same length (4796mm) as the A6 sedan, the Avant's maximum luggage capacity has been expanded to 1,590 liters with the rear seat folded down.
Buyers will have a choice of five engines. At the top of the range is a 2.7-liter quattro biturbo V-6 that makes 230hp. A Tiptronic five-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual are available.
Prices in Germany will be DM59,200-DM64,600 ($31,300-$34,200).