AUDI is about to make light of load carrying with its latest version of the A6 Avant.

The new estate, which will cost from £32,100 when it reaches showrooms in November, is not only more spacious but has jettisoned a shedload of weight.

Shown for the first time in Berlin this week ahead of the order book opening next month, the Avant also boasts increased carrying capacity of up to 1,680 litres.

And later in the year a potent new 313PS twin-turbo V6 TDI engine, shared with the A6 saloon, will join the line-up.

The weight loss is down to the use of aluminium components - which make up roughly 20 per cent of the body - meaning that, depending on engine, gross weight has been cut by as much as 70 kilograms.

Some slick features make life easier for Avant owners too. For instance, the luggage compartment can be opened just by gesturing with a foot to two sensors beneath the rear bumper if the optional advanced key feature is added.

As for load capacity, the boot's 565 litres can be boosted to 1,680 litres by folding down the rear seat backs, and the load bay has the full monty of luggage lashing eyes, side restraining straps, bag hooks, a double cargo floor, rail luggage fixing system, a dirt-resistant tray and roof rails as standard.

The engine choice comprises three turbodiesels - the 3.0-litre V6 TDI in 204PS and 245PS forms and more efficient 177PS 2.0-litre TDI - along with one petrol unit, the supercharged 3.0 TFSI producing 300PS.

Later in the year a new 3.0 twin-turbo TDI will be the most potent V6 in the range, boasting a 0-62mph time of a fleeting 5.4 seconds and governed top speed of 155mph.

All the engines use start-stop, energy recuperation and a thermal management set-up that combine to cut fuel consumption of up to 18 per cent compared with the outgoing model.

Transmission options, based on the engine choice, will include a manual six-speed gearbox or multitronic CVT for front-wheel-drive models and the new seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission for quattros.

Focal point of the A6 Avant's cabin is the Multi Media Interface, with its 6.5-inch retractable monitor, for accessing the sound system, Bluetooth phone interface and the SD card-based sat-nav, which is standard.

Online services including news and weather info and Google Earth images can also be accessed if the Mobile Telephone Preparation High and MMI Navigation Plus options are ticked. And passengers will also be able to connect to the internet with up to eight devices at once.

Also on the options list is a night vision assistant that uses a thermal-imaging camera to highlight ‘warm-blooded' road users in front of the car, a head-up display and a system for automatic parking.

Trim grades are the familiar SE and S line, each including alloy wheels, leather upholstery, cruise, front and rear parking control, SD-based sat-nav, Bluetooth, split/folding rear seats and light and rain sensors.

S line models will add 18-inch alloys, Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, sports suspension, upgraded Valcona leather upholstery and an exclusive S line exterior and interior styling treatment.

Prices are from £32,100 for the 177PS A6 Avant 2.0 TDI SE six-speed manual model rising to £43,480 for the 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic S line.