High-tech rock-hopper

Local Audi importer European Motor Distributors is not just interested in road rockets.

It is also interested in off-road rockets, and will be selling the high-riding A6 Allroad in New Zealand from November.

Based on the A6 Avant, the rock-hopping Allroad features a high-tech electronically controlled air-suspension system that can vary the ride height in four steps from 142mm to 208mm.

This happens automatically, although the driver can override the system and manually select one of the four settings. Front and rear tracks are wider than the standard Avant, and the car boasts a tough look with bigger bumpers, plastic wheel arch flares and a matt-finish ribbed roof.

The luxurious Allroad will be offered with a choice of two V6 engines: a version of the 2.7-litre twin-turbo unit from the S4, and a torquey 2.5-litre common rail turbo diesel.

The top petrol version could cost as much as $130,000, while the diesel is likely to sell for about $20,000 less.