Audi has revived the A6 Allroad for a new generation by turning its big family estate into a rugged 4x4 wagon that promises off-road ability to rival many full-blown SUVs.

This lifted and toughened version of the new A6 will appear in dealerships in the coming months, four years after the previous Allroad models were withdrawn from sale in the UK.

Audi plans to reignite a market niche that has almost disappeared, with the likes of the Skoda Superb Scout, Volvo V90 Cross Country and Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain all bowing out.

Audi technical boss Rouven Mohr hailed the A6 Allroad as "an icon in the Audi line-up". He said the firm aimed for this latest generation to match the earlier cars' blend of on-road comfort and rough-road capability.

Key to meeting this target is an extensive chassis overhaul that makes the Allroad a radically different proposition from the standard A6, with a bespoke suspension set-up and steering system among its headline features.

The most obvious change is a 34mm increase in ride height in normal mode. Because the active air suspension has 55mm of adjustability, that can be extended a further 15mm in its most extreme setting - with the shock absorbers adjusting to account for the extra height.

There is a more compliant Comfort mode for use in normal on-road driving situations and a Dynamic setting that lowers the ride by 20mm "for greater precision and stability". In every mode, the Allroad drops by 20mm above 75mph to boost efficiency.

The Allroad gains stiffer steering mounts in a bid to boost responsiveness and feedback. Audi also says the model has improved agility courtesy of a rear axle that can optionally steer up to 5deg in the opposite direction to the front-cutting the turning circle by up to one metre.

The mechanical upgrades are signalled by a substantial exterior design overhaul. The body is 110mm wider than the standard A6's and 84mm wider than even the previous Allroad - courtesy of a widened track and thicker tyres at each end, as well as bulky protective cladding around the lower portion of the car.

The Allroad gains a bespoke grille design and has its own intakes as part of a styling package that also includes a chunky skid plate, diffuser, side skirts and roof bars. The Allroad-specific wheel designs are available in 19in, 20in and 21in forms.

Power comes from either a mildly hybridised 3.0-litre diesel V6 producing 295bhp and 428lb ft or - for the first time on an Allroad - a plug-in hybrid system that combines a 2.0-litre petrol four-pot with an electric motor and a 20.7kWh battery for up to 60 miles of engine-off running.

UK specification details have yet to be confirmed but the new Allroad will go on sale in Germany later this week priced from the equivalent of £67,000 for the diesel or just under £70,000 for the PHEV.