What Car? Q&A - Which new estate should I go for?

Q: I'm looking for a new estate car – currently the BMW 525d automatic is my preferred option. However, before I make my decision, are there any plans to replace the Volvo V70 in the next couple of years, and when will the Audi A6 diesel estate be available with an automatic gearbox?
Andy Key

A: Volvo won't comment on its plans to replace the V70. It is possible, however, to take an educated guess about when a new model will appear, based on the six- to eight-year life cycle of a modern car.

The V70 was launched in 2000, and received a face-lift in 2004. That would suggest that, at six years old, a new model can only be a couple of years away.

The Audi A6 Avant can already be bought with an automatic gearbox, whether you're going for the 2.0-, 2.7- or 3.0-litre V6 diesel.

What's more, with the 2.7-litre (the closest rival for the BMW you're considering) you can choose between the company's Multitronic continuously variable automatic transmission or the Tiptronic self-shifter.

The Multitronic is the only option with the 2.0-litre and does away with fixed gear ratios and provides the kind of seamless acceleration you might experience on a train.

The Tiptronic is the only choice with the 3.0-litre V6 and is a conventional automatic which gives you the option of selecting ratios yourself, either with the gear lever or steering wheel-mounted controls.

On balance, however, we'd go for the BMW – it offers the better balance of ride, refinement and practicality.