BMWBig6

Did the B8 A4 Avant have the side shades too? Audi only sells them bundled, right?

BMWBig6

Me neither. We're already charged $2k more for Avant, $500 more for Prestige (vs. Sedan), and this?

antiSUV

My B7 S4 Avant with the sunshade pkg has a manual sunshade integrated into the cargo cover. This replaces the "dog net" that my B5 S4 Avant had. The shade is long enough that it can be deployed when the rear seat backs are folded flat. There are locating notches in the headliner for the shade: one set in front of the grab handles and another set just aft of the C-pillar.

The cargo cover and shade assembly is designed to be easily taken out if you need the load area fairly flat. It disassembles in under a minute, as it basically clips to the RH seatback. That's one reason that a power shade will likely never be offered.

The other reason is that the longer rear roofline of the Avant provides enough shade for just about any driving situation. The only time I have ever deployed either is when I'm transporting my friend's 100 lb German shepherd, and she fits just fine. I do it to keep doggy drool off the headrests. My human passengers have never needed to use the rear shades, but use the door shades often.

The C6 Avant has a similar cargo cover and shade assembly, and I imagine it would be the same for the B8.

BMWBig6

I think I must be calling things by the wrong name. Most wagons (not just Audi's) have some combination or variation of the following 3 accessories:

1) Vertical retractable net/mesh (more like a divider) that raises and lowers from behind the backseat headrests. It can also raise when the backseats are folded flat (latching in ceiling ahead of grab handles). But this is not a sunshade, and not what I was asking about. I have already confirmed that the B8 Avant has this accessory.

<img src="http://www.gearfx.com/audi/cargo_divider1.jpg">

<img src="http://www.gearfx.com/audi/cargo_divider.jpg">


2) Horizontal vinyl cargo cover that is retractable and can be latched at the base of D-pillar (flat), or raised to latch at top of D-pillar to provide better access to luggage compartment when loading/unloading. This is also not a sunshade, and is primarily for privacy to conceal your cargo.

<img src="http://www.gearfx.com/audi/cargo_cover.jpg">

<img src="http://www.gearfx.com/audi/cargo_cover0.jpg">

<img src="http://www.gearfx.com/audi/cargo_cover1.jpg">

<img src="http://www.gearfx.com/audi/cargo_cover2.jpg">


3) Retractable mesh sunshade that lives in the rear hatch at base of the rear glass. It raises and latches at top of rear hatch window. <b>This is the sunshade I'm wondering about</b>, and is an available feature on both the C6 A6 Avant and Q7. Here are photos of one on a C6 A6 Avant:

<img src="http://www.gearfx.com/audi/cargo_shade.jpg">

<img src="http://www.gearfx.com/audi/cargo_shade1.jpg">

I have determined and confirmed that the B8 A4 Avant has item 1 and 2 (both standard). I just don't know if this rear sunshade (item 3) is coming on the B8 Avant (in manual or power form). I was hoping it came on previous generation A4's, making it likely that Audi would continue including this accessory. It wouldn't do much to shade the rear passengers, but could keep the sun off of something in the trunk that was too tall to fit under the cargo cover (like a tall wedding cake that could melt in the sun). Plus any shade would contribute to the cabin's overall heat rejection.

So what exactly is this integrated shade you speak of on your B7 S4? Do you have a photo of it?

Hokie_Audi

It had the side shades according to the window sticker.

antiSUV

It's made of the same material as the side sunshades in the door. Audi calls it a sunshade as opposed to a divider. There is no shade in base of the rear window in the B7. I have my ABS looking at the B8 Avant she has in stock for your answer. I'll post once she gets back to me.

BMWBig6

Ok cool, and thanks for asking your ABS to check too.

lhsa

at least there wasn't when i ordered mine, which is really a shame since the baby always gets a suntan

PanzerWagon

B6/B7 and now B8 don't have a shade in the hatch.

The C5 (A6) Avant had an option for rear window shade on the hatch door. Dunno if the current C6 has the same. It's of limited use IMHO.

All Avants have a cargo cover assembly that includes a heavy mesh cargo screen that can be raised when seats are up or folded.

Good point on the pricing being same for sedan and Avant -- Avant owners getting hosed (again). Used to be only $250 or so for Avants.

Ekhangel

Can someone confirm (after 11 years) that there is no such thing as a REAR (i.e. trunk) shade for A6 C6 Avant? That would leave one button slot on the dash empty in a full-option car - rather awkward.