Audi introduced the station wagon version of the A6 in 1998, a year later than its three-box sedan sibling.
The second generation of the A6 was designed on an entirely new platform, unlike its predecessor, which used the same base as the 1990 Audi 100. It could finally compete against its main rivals, the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. But the carmaker didn’t rely only on the vehicle’s size to sit at the same table with the other two German premium carmakers. It packed the car with technology and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The station-wagon version, named Avant, provided more trunk space than the 5 Series Touring but less than the E-Class T-Model, respectively.

At the front, the A6 Avant featured the same front fascia as its sedan sibling, with sharp-looking headlights which featured corner-mounted, clear turn signals. The carmaker added a chromed surrounding to the hood-mounted grille in the middle, while the bumper sported a black, unpainted area on the lower side. The A6 Avant revealed its extended roofline and the additional side window installed behind the rear doors from its profile. A raked-forward tailgate resembled the shape of older Audi 100 Avant models but less inclined.

Inside, Audi installed a wide cabin fit for five full-grown adults. It provided comfortable bucket seats, and the carmaker spoiled the driver with various options, including heated seats. The rear 60/40 split-folding bench increased the trunk size when lowered, from 455 liters (16 cu-ft) up to 1,590 liters (56.1 cu-ft).

Audi offered the A6 a wide choice of engines ranging between a 1.8-liter, 125 hp (carried over from the A3 compact sibling) and a twin-turbocharged, 2.7-liter powerplant that produced 230 hp. Later on, the carmaker added more versions, including an outrageous 4.2-liter V-8 carried over from the flagship model, the A8.