2005 Audi A6 3.2 Quattro
Base price: $40,900
Price as tested: $48,870
This week, we’re driving Audi’s all-new A6 Quattro, perhaps one of the most important cars in the Audi lineup. The A6 is sandwiched between the entry A4 and luxury A8 and accounts for the bulk of Audi sales.
The sporty A6 always competed well with opponents Infiniti, Acura, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, BMW and Lexus. However, Audi engineers knew a redesign was necessary, as the first A6 appeared in 1997 and was becoming a bit dated. The result is a mid-size sports sedan that’s bigger in all aspects, including wheelbase, interior and cargo capability.
The new A6 is an attention-getter, and we heard many comments on Audi’s bold styling, especially the front grille. Bi-xenon headlamps are now more sloped, while the immense center grille is outlined in chrome. Small intakes alongside the grille house projector-beam fog lamps. We like the new A6 front end, which, surprisingly, is shared by the W12-cylinder A8.
Once you get past the front end, the A6 we grew to love outwardly is pretty much still there. There are some needed alterations due to its bigger size, but the pitched rear pillar is still there, as is that special Audi “aura.” The rear end features sharp tail lamps and a built-in spoiler, and there’s also more chrome accenting.
Huge design changes await your first visit to the cabin, where designers present both luxury and performance. The dashboard is solid and clean, gauges are white-lighted and easy to read, and the console tilts toward the driver. A 7-inch multimedia LCD display controls many operations, including the car’s spectacular hi-fi system and navigation. There are tasteful touches of wood and aluminum trim, again highlighting performance and luxury. The seats are excellent, and prospective buyers will enjoy way more leg, shoulder and headroom for all.
The suspension is a high-tech, four-link design that accentuates the Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system. It snowed during our test drive, and Audi’s new A6 performed brilliantly. Just point it — and go. On dry roads, the handling is superb, with virtually no lean whatsoever in the turns, even when pushed.
As for power, an all-aluminum 255-horsepower 3.2-liter V-6 with four valves per cylinder sits under the hood. It accelerates from zero to 60 mph in seven seconds and pulls strongly throughout the rpm range. This car is autobahn inspired — capable of an easy and governed 130 mph. Our Audi came with the optional 17-inch alloy wheels and all-weather tires, replacing the standard 16 inchers. We recommend the bigger tires for better overall performance. The transmission is a six-speed automatic with the Tiptronic “self shift” feature.
We especially liked the brake system. For whatever reason, the new A6 seems to stop even better than the old model. It’s an ABS four-wheel disc setup and works extremely well. As for overall driving comfort, the new A6 ranks right up there with the best, even though it’s capable of sports-car-like performances in a four-door sedan model.
Important numbers include a huge 19.3 cubic-foot trunk, 3,957-pound curb weight, EPA numbers of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, and a wheelbase of 111.9 inches.
We sure like the new A6, and feel it will be a very popular car in it class. We rate it a nine on a scale of one to 10.
Likes: New design, interior roominess, handling, Quattro
Dislikes: Not many, but the V-6 may use more fuel than EPA estimates