Audi has confirmed the A6 Allroad Quattro will go on sale in August, with prices expected to start at around £55,000.

It will rival the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All Terrain and the Volvo V90 Cross Country.

The new all-wheel-drive model continues a 20-year heritage of the A6 crossover.

Two engines will be offered at launch, the 231PS 45 TDI and the 286PS 50 TDI. Both use the same 3.0-litre V6 with 48v mild-hybrid technology.

Adaptive air suspension with controlled damping is standard. It adjusts the ride height depending on the road speed and mode set in the Audi drive select system.

The A6 Allroad is up to 45mm higher than the A6 Avant. Ground clearance at standard ride height is 139mm and can be raised by 45mm.

When used as a towing vehicle, the new model can tow up to 2.5 tons.

The A6 Allroad features the same infotainment system as found in its A6 and A7 sister models. The all-digital operating system comprising a top large screen – measuring 10.1 inches in the top-of-the-line version – is used to control the infotainment. On the 8.6-inch display below, the driver operates the climate control, the comfort functions and the text input.

In the UK the new A6 Allroad will be available in Sport specification or as an even more comprehensively equipped Vorsprung model, both of which feature an off-road look with plastic and aluminium trim pieces.

Exact prices and specifications will be announced in due course.