2005 Audi A6 4.2

Vehicle Type: Luxury Sports Sedan
Base Price: $50,500.00
Price As Tested: $56,570

Pros:
Strong Acceleration
Handling
Comfort
All Wheel Drive
Styling

Cons:
Multi-Media Interface

Overview:

The A6 is all-new for 2005 and it’s grown in every direction. Wheelbase is 3" longer, it’s 1,8" wider and about a half inch taller than before. Total length is 193,5 inches. This places the A6 between the Mercedes E and S class in terms of length. It’s bigger on the inside too, with increases in head, leg and shoulder room. Trunk space is up too. Torsional rigidity is said to have increased by 34% giving the new car a more solid feel and a quieter cabin. This is the first car imported to the U.S. sporting Audi’s bold new grill. I’ve decided I like the gaping jaw look. It certainly is distinctive. The A6 is an impressive mix of luxury and performance marred by the i-drive like MMI. More on that later.

Under The Hood:

Let the party begin. Power comes from a lightweight aluminum alloy 4.2-liter 5-valve DOHC V8 producing 335 hp. This gem of an engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic. It’s a smooth shifting and responsive gearbox. A manual transmission is not available. 0-60 time is said to be 6.1 seconds. Nice. Expect 17-mpg city and 23 highway. Standard all-wheel-drive puts the power to good use no matter the weather. By the way, a 255 horse V6 is offered on the A6 3.2

On The Road:

As I’ve come to expect from Audi, handling is a joy. The low profile 18" tires no doubt helped. The larger wheels and all-season tires are a $750 option. 245/45/17s are standard. The ride is a little stiff with so little sidewall but steering response is superb. Speed sensitive steering is standard incidentally. The A6 is a rewarding car to drive under all conditions. Excellent brakes.

On The Inside:

Audi pretty much leads the world when it comes to designing automotive interiors. The car has a rich and elegant feel. Fit and finish are first rate. The nicely shaped dash houses a straightforward instrument cluster with easy to read round analog gauges. The cabin is roomy with comfortable 12-way power leather seats. A power adjustable steering column assures everyone will be comfortable behind the wheel with a good view of the road. Rear seating is comfortable for 2 ok for 3. A power glass sunroof and a 6-disc CD changer are included. Our car had the $1300.00 optional Bose audio package with Sirius Satellite radio. Other goodies included DVD navigation, ($1500.00) and the cold weather package providing heated seats, mirrors and, yes, even a heated steering wheel. (How have I survived without one of those all these years?) Headlight washers are part of that $750.00 option too.

All in all it’s a roomy, comfortable, quite, tasteful and luxurious interior. Can you sense a ‘but’ coming here? Unfortunately, Audi and followed BMW into the world of complicated controls with what they call Multi-Media Interface. (Or is it in your face?) Like the dreaded i-Drive you must push and turn a center console knob and look at a dash mounted screen to perform what should be the simplest of tasks associated mainly with the audio controls and navigation. MMI is not as aggravating as i-Drive but that’s not saying much. I simply don’t see the logic of complicating what is otherwise an extremely pleasant driving experience.

Safety:

The long list of standard features continues here with side curtain airbags and front seat mounted side airbags to go along with the usual front driver and passenger airbags. Side impact protection front and rear is included. There is an anti-theft alarm system. Night driving is enhanced with Bi-xenon adaptive headlights that increase vision around corners. Front and rear fog lights are standard. ABS and ESP or Electronic Stabilization Program helps keep you on the road in slick conditions. Heated outside mirrors are standard too.

Bottom Line:

This larger A6 is bigger and better than ever before giving it’s German rivals a real run for the money. For more log on to www.audiusa.com now, when will get to drive the S6? Look out!

Tom Collins
3/3/05