THE ultimate Q-Ship looks like Mum’s station wagon, drive’s like Dad’s sports sedan and hits the dunes like a 4WD.

It is, for all intents and purposes, the Swiss Army knife of domesticated family cars. It even comes in two pocket sizes – A6 big for the family who has and wants everything, and A4 compact for life’s smaller demands.

But what it lacked before was volume. Audi this week launched its A6 (and A4) Allroad go-almost-anywhere wagons as permanent additions to its range, over-ruling its limited-edition delivery of the previous-generation versions that each found only 150 Australian buyers a year.

It’s cheaper than before, better equipped, goes harder and longer and looks like a true sports wagon but with commendable off-road ability.

It’s just what Australia deserves.

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