A more powerful and economical V8 available.

Introduction

The Audi A6 continues a legacy of dynamic excellence and exceptional comfort. The A6 is packed with technology, enhancing convenience and driving dynamics. The attention to detail inside and out is impressive. 

There is much to love about the A6. Its cabin is airy and comfortable, with firm, supportive seats. Its styling is crisp, clean and modern, though the front is dominated by a massive and controversial grille. 

Underway, the A6 boasts sharp, precise steering, and a firm ride. In high-speed corners the quattro models feel like they're on rails, one of the benefits of Audi's superb all-wheel-drive system. Braking and handling are excellent, whether on dry pavement or when hurtling through a torrent of rain. 

V6 and V8 versions are available. The well-equipped V6 model delivers brisk acceleration, while the V8 qualifies the A6 as a high-performance sports sedan. The S6 is for serious drivers who don't mind trading comfort for performance. 

Most cars are redesigned every five years or so and this latest-generation A6 was launched as a 2005 model. It's larger and roomier than the previous-generation version, and features dramatically changed styling. 

What's new for 2007: a more powerful V8 engine for the A6 4.2 and the introduction of the high-performance S6. 

Lineup

The 2007 Audi A6 line includes the 3.2 FrontTrak sedan ($41,230), the 3.2 quattro ($44,380) and 4.2 quattro ($54,580) sedans, the Avant 3.2 quattro ($47,280), and the S6 quattro sedan ($71,280). 

The 3.2-liter V6 delivers 255 horsepower, the 4.2-liter V8 generates 350 horsepower, and the 5.2-liter V10 in the S6 puts out 435 horsepower. The quattro models feature Audi's all-wheel drive and come with six-speed automatic transmissions. 

The A6 3.2 comes loaded with standard features: leather upholstery; wood trim; dual-zone automatic air conditioning with pollen filters; AM/FM/6CD/MP3 with 10 speakers; 12-way power driver's seat with four-way adjustable power lumbar support; split-folding rear seats; tilt/telescoping steering column; leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel; leather-wrapped shift knob; trip computer; theft deterrent system; and 16-inch alloy wheels. 

Options for 3.2 models include premium leather upholstery ($1,000); power opening and closing rear tailgate ($450); manual rear and side window sunshades ($250); 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires ($900); rear side airbags ($350); a DVD-based navigation system ($1,600); Sirius satellite radio ($550); a leather-segmented steering wheel with shift paddles ($690); heated steering wheel ($200). Speical order options for the Avant include adaptive air suspension ($2,300); leather driver's side dashboard ($1,275); front sport seats ($500); and adaptive cruise control ($2,000). 

The CVT sedan is also available with 17-inch alloys and all-season tires ($750) or 18-inch high-polished alloys and all-season tires ($1,200). Quattro models also can be ordered with the 18-inch polished alloys ($900). Special order options for the sedan include front sport seats ($500); heated steering wheel ($200); leather driver's side dashboard ($1,275); adaptive air suspension ($2,300); and adaptive cruise control ($2,000). 

The S line Package ($2,750) includes sports suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, gray birch wood trim, S-Line badges, aluminum door sills with S line badge, S-Line front and rear bumpers, headlight washers and a four-spoke multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles. An S line package with 19-inch alloys and performance radials ($3,350) is available on quattro models. 

The Premium Package ($1,450) offers a power slide/tilt glass sunroof and heated front seats. The Convenience Package ($2,750) includes bi-xenon headlamps, adaptive headlights, a Bose premium sound system, auto-dimming interior mirror with compass, auto-dimming and electrically folding exterior mirrors, memory for the driver's seat and mirror adjustments, Homelink, a storage package, programmable daytime running lights, and a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel. 

The Technology Package ($4,000) includes voice recognition, Advanced Key, a new Advanced Parking System with rearview camera, DVD navigation system, and Sirius satellite radio. A Cold Weather Package ($550) offers heated rear seats, a ski sack and, new for 2007, headlight washers. 

The 4.2 quattro adds premium leather, 17-inch wheels, high-intensity headlamps, a power sunroof, upgraded mirrors and upgraded audio to the list of A6 standard equipment. The 4.2 offers similar options to those for the 3.2, but the list also includes a solar sunroof replacing the glass sunroof ($790). 

A Warm Weather Package ($1,190) includes a solar sunroof and power rear and manual side sunshades. Stand-alone options: Sirius satellite radio ($550); carbon fiber inlays ($300); adaptive cruise control ($2,000); heated rear seats ($225); and gas guzzler tax ($1,300). Special order options include a normal front seat in Volterra leather; a silver headliner replacing the standard black; and 18-inch alloy wheels with high-performace tires. Also available is a leather dashboard ($1,275). 

Safety features include electronic stability program, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brake-force Distribution,. 

Walkaround

The Audi A6 is a study in excellent design. It has the look of a four-door coupe, with clean, flowing lines. The overall look is upscale, masculine. A giant trapezoidal grille dominates the front of the car. Some like it, some don't. The car's completely modern shape has a slippery drag coefficient of 0.28. Aluminum was used for key body panels to save weight, though not to the extent of the expensive all-aluminum A8. 

The 2006 Avant is an especially sleek looking wagon, distinguished by a coupe-like roofline. The arching shoulder line and relatively narrow glass create a dynamic profile that terminates in a gently sloped tail marked by distinctive two-piece LED taillights. Overall the design language says European elegance. 

Much of the beauty of the A6 is in the details: Body panels fit closely together around the doors, hood and trunk lid, as well as along places such as the bottom edge of the tail lamp. It's a result of close tolerances. You won't even find a rubber strip at the top of windshield, nor strips on the sides of the roof. Door jams, the trunk flange and other areas normally hidden are Class A surfaces, smooth and painted as on the exterior body panels. Not everyone will notice this level of detail, but most will sense a general look of quality. 

The new S6 is distinguished from its less-powerful stablemates by special exterior and interior elements. Audi's striking trapezoidal grille gets double vertical aluminum-look strips and an S6 badge, an air inlet beneath the grille to feed the big V10, and a spoiler lip to provide additional downforce. The front bumper's unique look comes from the strip of separate LED daytime running lights, and the front foglamps are incorporated into the main headlights, which feature gray-tinted covers. The rear tailights also feature distinctive LED brake lights. An integrated spoiler juts from the trunk lid, bright aluminum trim around the side windows and top of door handles, body-color door handles, brushed aluminum rearview mirror housings, body-color outside lower door flares, black brake calipers, dual exhaust oval polished quad tailpipes and a chrome strip on the trunk lid are additional ways to identify the S6. 

The lever-style outside door handles are stylish, but aren't as easy to operate as the grab handles that don't require flipping your hand over. 

Overall, the A6 sets a benchmark in quality of materials and build quality. 

Interior

The cabin is light and airy, particularly with the lighter-colored leather choices. 

The leather that comes standard in the Audi A6 3.2 is nice, distinguished by a handsome two-tone treatment of light-colored seats and door inserts and charcoal dash and door trim. Wood trim comes standard on all models. Premium Volterra leather comes standard on 4.2 models and is optional on 3.2s. We particularly like the gray birch trim in the S-Line Package. 

The front seats are comfortable and supportive. We never gave them much thought during a drizzly day of driving from Milan to Lake Como, a good sign. The quiet cabin allows for easy conversation even when driving quickly. 

The rear seats are comfortable, too. Audi designed room in the rear-seat footwell for bulky shoes, like sneakers on teenage boys, to be able to easily swing by the B-pillar when getting in and out. This latest-generation A6 is much roomier than pre-2005 models. 

Up front, everything is oriented around the driver. A center console with a control panel separates driver and passenger, and their legs go into separate tunnels. The driver benefits from a nice four-spoke steering wheel or a nicer, sportier three-spoke wheel and a straightforward instrument panel surrounded by flexmetallic trim. The center stack is angled toward the driver. Climate controls are located at the bottom of the center stack that are sophisticated but straightforward and easy to operate. At the top of the stack, above the vents, is a crisp seven-inch screen that displays navigation and other functions. The standard trip computer and Driver Information Center features a digital speed indicator. 

Audi's Multi Media Interface, which features a large knob and some buttons on the center console, controls many of the interior functions. This eliminates a lot of switches, making for a clean-looking dash. To further reduce clutter, the switch for the glovebox is located on the center of dash. Mastering the MMI takes time and requires reading the owner's manual. Too many times, we've found it a distraction, less so than BMW's iDrive system, but more so than Acura's system. 

High technology can also be found in what have been traditionally mundane controls. The parking brake is electronic; pull the switch up to set it, press to release it. The hood release operates only when the door is open. The wipers are speed sensitive. A Bluetooth-enabled interface integrates compatible cell phones. 

The A6 does not offer many places to put stuff. The glovebox is small, especially with the available CD changer. The cup holders are positioned well, however. 

The trunk is deep. Luggage capacity is nearly 16 cubic feet, more than the BMW and comparable to the Mercedes, but the trunk opening is small. Attention to detail can be seen inside the trunk. Raise the floor panel to get at the spare tire and you'll note that it can be hooked up in place, making it easier to remove or replace the spare. 

The Avant sport wagon offers the road manners of a European-bred sports sedan and the versatility of a sport utility. The luggage compartment offers a variety of configurations and features two securing rails recessed into the floor of the load area, while four lashing eyes and a luggage net are provided to secure objects. The load floor can be folded up and locked in several ways, which provides access to a lower load area lined by a plastic tray, an ideal cubby for stowing wet or muddy gear. 

It's hard to improve upon the standard A6 interior, but the S6 cockpit does this, beginning with a new generation of sports seat, upholstered in Nappa leather, with integral head restraints and pronounced lateral support. Electrically adjustable in multiple directions and including lumbar support, they offer multi-stage heating. The three-spoke, power-adjustable sports steering wheel is trimmed in smooth leather and has a color-contrasting double-stitch. The S6 also features unique instrument gr. 

Driving Impression

The Audi A6 is dynamically superb. The A6 quattros deliver a feeling of being on rails, benefits of a rigid chassis, a well-engineered sports suspension, and Audi's superb all-wheel drive. 

The ride feels firm but is nicely damped for sharp bumps. It's among the best in class in comfort and near or at the top of class in handling. 

The adaptive air suspension optimizes road holding and comfort. It's a marvelous invention that really helps keep the car securely fastened to the ground. 

The Servotronic steering allows precise control; the driver simply thinks where he or she wants to go and the car goes there. Grip is excellent. Drive the car to its limit, impossible to do on public roads without being socially irresponsible, and you'll eventually encounter a small amount of understeer. The highly rigid chassis gives the car the feeling of being carved from one block of material. This rigidity allowed the Audi engineers to precisely tune the suspension. The A6 uses Audi's proven four-link front suspension and the self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension adapted from the A8. 

The flat torque curve of both the V6 and V8 engines gives the A6 a feeling of smooth, sophisticated power and responsiveness at all speeds. 

The 3.2 V6 delivers strong response from 2000 to 6000 rpm. It offers lots of torque, giving it quick acceleration off the line and responsive performance at all speeds. Audi says the 255-hp 3.2-liter V6 is capable of propelling the A6 from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, which is reasonably quick. We were able to easily work through traffic between Milan and Lake Como and felt no need for the more powerful V8. This impression was reaffirmed in a subsequent drive of the A6 Avant 3.2 in Italy's Dolomite Mountains. Not only was the V6 in full compliance with our lead-footed driving habits, if we hadn't occasionally looked in the mirror, we couldn't have told whether we were driving the sedan or the wagon as we raced up and down the twisting alpine roads. The V6 gets an EPA-rated 19/26 mpg City/Highway. 

The 4.2 V8 features direct injection and produces 350 horsepower, enough to propel the A6 4.2 from 0 to 60 in 5.8 seconds, which is quite quick indeed. Better yet, the increased power comes with an improvement in fuel mileage. The 4.2 gets an EPA-estimated 18/25 mpg City/Highway, respectable for a sports sedan. The A6 mounts its engines longitudinally, rather than sideways, improving the flow of power between front and rear wheels and improving driving dynamics. 

The six-speed automatic transmission is super smooth and adds considerably to the joy of driving the A6 and its responsive performance. If the mood strikes you, shift into the Tiptronic mode and shift manually, but we found it worked exceptionally well in Drive. It always seems to be in the right gear, whether quick acceleration is wanted or smooth, quiet cruising is preferred. The CVT in the front-drive model is also surprisingly sporty and is the perfect choice for the owner whose driving terrain is mostly urban streets. 

Summary

The Audi A6 excels at driving dynamics. It's a wonderful car for quick commuting, smooth high-speed travel, and spirited driving. It's smooth and quiet, good for easy conversation and listening pleasure. It's right up there with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series in terms of safe and secure motoring, particularly when weather enters the picture. When conditions get really slick, you can't beat quattro. 

NewCarTestDrive.com editor Mitch McCullough filed this report from Milan, with Greg Brown in Italy's Dolomites. 

Model Lineup

Audi A6 3.2 FrontTrak ($41,230); 3.2 quattro ($44,380); 4.2 quattro ($54,580); Avant 3.2 quattro ($47,280); S6 quattro ($71,280). 

Assembled In

Germany. 

Options As Tested

Convenience Package ($2,750) includes bi-xenon adaptive headlamps, adaptive headlamps, programmable daytime running lights, Bose premium sound system, auto-dimming interior mirror with compass, auto-dimming and electrically folding exterior mirrors, memory for driver's seat and mirror adjustments, Homelink, storage package; Sunroof package ($1,450) includes power glass sunroof and heated front seats; S line Package ($2,750) includes sport suspension, 18-inch alloys, aluminum door sills with S line logo, gray birch wood trim, S line front and rear bumpers, steering wheel paddle shifters, headlight washers; Technology Package ($4,000) includes voice recognition, Advanced Key, advanced parking system with rearview camera, navigation system, Sirius satellite radio; power tailgate ($450); rear side airbags ($350).