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2007 Audi A6 4.2 FSI Quattro Road Test

The previous generation Audi A6 was a very nice car, but didn’t exactly havethe type of styling that set the world on fire. Actually, it kind of bordered on downright bland, especially when compared with the taut athletic lines of the E39 5-series BMW. So when Audi redesigned it for 2005, the midsize A6 finally had a distinctive look about it. However, Audi’s new trapezoidal grille, first seen on the A8 W12, was quite polarizing to those who had previous purchased the A6, and even offensive to some. I liked it from the get go. Audi needed a distinctive face and it looks just as good here as it first did on the flagship model. It certainly is sleek and very upscale in appearance, especially when finished in a dark color such as the Night Blue Pearl of my test example. But while the dark hue accentuates those sleek lines, like most dark blues and blacks do, it only really looks good when clean, and always shows every minute trace of dirt. Either way, the A6 has certainly come a long way since the Audi 100 that was merely face-lifted and rebadged into the first-generation A6, in order to bring its naming convention in line with the then new A8 more than a dozen years ago. The new A6 is the recipient of some minor updates for 2007, with the most important being a bump in horsepower to an even 350 thanks to an all-new all-aluminum FSI 4.2L V8

A6 moves into 2007 with FSI for the V8 engine. (Photo: Steven James Day, American Auto Press)

that also produces 325 lb-ft torque. Other updates include a redesigned overhead console. But enough about the console, the 4.2L V8 is actually visible upon lifting the really light aluminum hood, which is held open by a single gas charged strut.

As with most Audis the engine is pushed to the front of the engine bay, withthe dominant aluminum intake manifold staring back at you. I’m pleased Audi decided not to hide the engine under a large plastic shroud, something that German cars have become known for. Nothing sounds like a V8, and the 4.2 is wonderfully throaty. Even though the car is whisper quiet inside, Audi’s engineers have ensured that when you punch the throttle you'll indeed hear that guttural exhaust note. Thanks to standard Quattro all-wheel drive, the A6 claws it’s way to a very impressive 0-60 mph time of about 6 seconds when manually shifting the 6-speed Tiptronic autobox. Even more impressive is that the midsize Audi is that quick while weighing in at almost 4,299 pounds.

More power, more torque, lower fuel consumption, fewer emissions. That's technology at work. (Photo: Steven James Day, American Auto Press)

The brakes are discs all around that feature electronic brake pressure proportioning, ABS and are also tied in with Audi’s Electronic Stability Program should things really get out of hand. They, as would be expected, stop the large luxo-sedan with quickly and without drama. Pedal feel is excellent.

My car was also equipped with the attractive(and optional) 7-spoke, 18-inch polished alloy wheels shod with 245/40 R18 all-season Michelins that were absolutely horrendous in even a light dusting of snow. Mild to moderate stopping would irrevocably call upon the ABS and the front of the car would slide while turning at even low speeds as the tires fought for traction and continually lost. I’ve driven other Quattro equipped Audis with snow tires and can say with confidence that this particular A6’s poor maneuverability is 100 percent the fault of its tires. To really get the most out of the Quattro all-wheel drive system you still need a set of good snow tires; all-season rubber just doesn’t cut it. Fortunately, only a few secondary roads

Wa-hey... quattro helps with the starts, but the all seasons just don't like snow. (Photo: Steven James Day, American Auto Press)

I had to travel on were really covered in the white stuff, which quickly vanquished thanks to warm temperatures and rain the following day.

Aside from a bit of tire thrum it was eerily quiet inside this car, enough so that my wife and I were dumbfounded that wecouldn’t even hear the rain hitting the windshield. After a little research into how the engineers achieved such superb sound deadening, I found out that Audi uses a fabric-like material to line the inside of the wheel wells. Increasing refinement yet further, at an extra cost of $2,300 my A6 was outfitted with the adaptive air suspension, which can be left on automatic where it will do all the work for you or it can be adjustable by the driver. On the relative smoothness of a local highway the automatic setting automatically lowers the car for better roadholding and fuel economy. It's also possible to raise the suspension for additional ground clearance; additional proof that you don’t need an SUV just to navigate the gravel road to your cottage. The most performance-oriented setting was the one labeled Dynamic. If activated it lowers the car by a few millimeters (Euro-speak for

Full of options, the A6 is a great place to spend time in. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

an eighth of an inch or so) and stiffens the suspension dampening 100 percent of the time. I left it on this setting for most of my time behind the wheel, although I sometimes found it to be a bit too firm (did I just say that?) on rough secondary roads, so a quick turn of the MMI (Multi Media Interface, more on this feature later) dial to auto and the suspension relaxed ever so slightly to soak up bumps and pavement irregularities without being too floaty. The air suspension is a nice alternative to the firm ride of the non-air suspension equipped A6; firm when you need it, softer when you don’t. But even on its Dynamic setting, trying to hustle the big sedan too quickly through some twisty turns resulted in understeer that quickly had me dialing back to correct steering and throttle inputs. I didn’t push the A6 too hard as to engage the ESP though.

Another option outfitted to the car was Adaptive Cruise Control, which allows thedriver to set a certain speed and distance from the car in front. As claimed, the A6 automatically maintains the speed. The system worked very well even though it was a bit disconcerting at first, as the car braked all on its own as soon as some hapless minivan pulled into the left lane almost cutting me off. Once

Adaptive cruise control helps keep a steady distance. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

he realized that a Chevy Venture is not a left lane of the highway type of vehicle and moved over, the A6 automatically accelerated back up to the set speed, all without any intervention on my part. Although it is an interesting option that works well if you travel on the highway for great distances, pricing is a bit steep at $2,000. I rarely use cruise control of any kind, so I could live without it. Moving to the back of the A6 the trunk can only be described as cavernous, holding a very impressive 15.9 cubic feet. Its split-folding rear seat adds even more usable cargo space. Need more? The A6 is also available as an Avant (Audi-speak for wagon) that holds as much as the average midsize SUV, but it's not available with the 4.2L V8, only the 3.2L V6. While I didn't have the Avant, I was surprised at how accommodating the sedan was. Proving this point I did something that the average A6 owner probably wouldn’t; I moved my younger brother to one of the outlying suburbs in my city, which meant hauling his single mattress and box spring through the city and down the highway. No need for a roof rack, however, as I was able to fit the entire mattress set, plus a lot of other stuff in the A6 with the seats down. Mind you, the income target market that the A6 is aimed at would have relegated my brother's single mattress to the dump, and for everything else

The central hub of the A6 operation... MMI. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

its owners would have simply called a moving company. But it's nice to know that the A6 can double as a U-Haul in a pinch.

As is often the case with press vehicles, my test A6 was fully optioned, including the $550 cold weather packagewith headlight washers, a ski sack and heated rear seats, $400 for power rear and manual rear side sunshades, the advanced parking system with rearview camera that fortunately came bundled in with the $4,000 technology package that adds navigation capability to the MMI, plus Sirius satellite radio. Add all of the above to the already long list of standard equipment, such as power everything, auto dimming mirrors, a power slide/tilt sunroof, a premium BOSE sound system, rain/light sensors, front six-way heated leather seats and actual wood dash trim, and I was well taken care of. My safety was not forgotten either, as just a few features include front, side and curtain airbags, seat belts with automatic pretensioning, front and rear crumple zones with side impact protection, all complemented with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s only large car top safety pick for 2007. Audi’s smaller A4 was also a top safety pick for midsize sedan, along with the SAAB 9-3 and Subaru Legacy. Unfortunately for Audi, its compact A3 didn’t make the cut this year, though strangely it did last year.

As important as safety is, I don't think people buy into the brand for this reason

Words I bet you'd like to see in the morning. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

alone, other than those who opt in just for Quattro. Audi is also revered for its stunningly detailed cabins, and the A6 is no exception to what is now almost legendary. On that note, what can I say about an Audi interior that hasn’t already been said? Thereis a reason that that they are the benchmark for automotive interiors, after all. Audi went over the top with my tester, having swapped out the high-quality plastic on the driver's side of the dash with leather. I loved both the contrasting color and the stitching, but would have like to see both color and stitching extend to the steering wheel to better tie things together. Even more so, since the upgraded dash costs an additional $1,275, I couldn’t pay that much for it without the steering wheel matching. Speaking of the steering wheel, usually my favorite (or least favorite) feature of a car, it not only felt near perfectly suited to my hands but was also enhanced with inner heat, a $200 option worth every penny. Even though the weather wasn’t quite subzero this past December, it was still fantastic to have warm fingers in the morning. I also really liked the teardrop shaped cutouts that house the gauges, which not only look sharp but are easy to read and ahh… adjustable to several levels for brightness. There were a lot of additional thoughtful touches in the A6, such as front wipers that, after you wash the windscreen and they finish their initial cleaning, wait 30 seconds or so and cycle through another single swipe to get the trail

One of the best rear-view cameras in the business; the lines show where you're going, the blue boxes show where you are. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

of washer fluid that invariably has started to make its way up the window. My wife also pointed out that the sun visor mirrors are two tiered; one regular mirror that slides to reveal an exaggerated one for applying makeup and such. I ponder the thought that because we are in an expensive Teutonic sedan, she suddenly felt a need to become high maintenance.

Everything on the A6, be it the audio system, lighting, heated seats or the aforementionedsuspension setup, are controlled by Audi’s fabulous Multi-Media Interface (MMI); and I mean everything, since seemingly every functional aspect of the car is customizable to the owner's specifications. The MMI is also very intuitive to use. I figured it out without any issues whatsoever. Just scroll through the various menus and click to select your desired option. My first order of business was to disable the central locking feature that I hate in my Father’s Golf. Whereas my Dad needs to go to the dealer to disable his (which I’ve been trying to get him to do), I can do it myself in the A6 in about ten seconds with the MMI. The navigation system was not quite as intuitive, mind you, and could even be confusing at times. It worked reasonably well once set up, although I decided to try it out on my way to a friend’s house after telling it to take me the fastest way, and while it was the fastest by being the shortest distance it didn’t compensate for the fact that the highway would have been quicker, so it would have actually taken longer. I tried to reset it using the “use highway” option, but it

Two things that would improve the A6 experience: proper snow tires, and perhaps a diesel. (Photo: Steven James Day, American Auto Press

wouldn’t do so for some reason and stuck to its original route. But since I didn’t like the route it was taking me on I changed direction to take the route I would have normally chosen, and it eventually adapted and remapped to accommodate the change.

Nav system aside, complaints about the A6 were minor. I found the exterior mirrors really tiny and difficult to see out of. The BOSE audio system sounded very good but lacked the ability to play DVD audio; disappointing in such an expensive car. The 4.2L engine, while decent on fuel for an eight cylinder, could be thirsty at times and since the tank quite large, holding20 gallons of premium, fill-ups were pricey. However, my best run was just under 450 miles on one tank, which is a very decent cruising range. Still, I would really like to see a Blutec diesel find its way under the hood for the North American market. I think it would be an ideal engine for a large luxury sedan, since it offers strong torque as well as a serious improvement in economy. If Audi is as serious about diesel as they claim to be (they did win the ALMS series, plus Le Mans, with their TDI R10 after all) it will happen by the end of this decade. And please, please, Audi, just don’t forget to put it under the hood of the Avant as well.

The 2007 Audi A6 with the 4.2-liter V8 begins at $55,300, but as equipped my test A6 rang in at about $70K. This, of course, was with almost every option you could throw at it, and while the options can be pricey they are not out of line with the competition, but rather are actually fairly reasonable. Add the Blutec diesel to that option list and the A6 would be a pretty much perfect.

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