Audi A6 2005 The Weekly Driver

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Swanky automotive manufacturer press trips are common occurrences.
But with the long-anticipated debut of its 2005 line, Audi went to extreme
lengths to introduce its new fleet.

And amid fancy media kits and proclamations, high-end
accommodations, unique cuisine and scenic test drives along the
Northern California coast, one part of the two-day U.S. presentation last
fall in San Francisco remains most vivid: An Audi engineer spent more
than one hour describing in exhaustive detail how he redesigned the
car's new extended front grill.

The engineer's presentation showcased his work pride and marketing
and public relations skills. But it also served as an ideal microcosm of
Audi's well-deserved confidence in its new line.

Maligned for years and slipping in customer satisfaction rankings, the
new A6 instantly helps reverse those woes. It's a classically styled,
powerful and overall impressive vehicle that shouldn't be overlooked by
anyone considering a car in the above-$50,000 price range.

My test drive for the week was the A6, 4.2-liter Quattro AT6, the most
powerful and luxurious model in the line. With the two other A6 models,
the Quattro offers new styling, more room and more power than the
2004 version. It features a DOHC V8 aluminum alloy engine with five
valves per cylinder and a six-speed automatic transmission. The Quattro
designation is Audi's trademarked All-Wheel Drive system.

Combined with the $1,500 sport package option (18-inch alloy wheels,
front sport seats, sport suspension and summer performance tires), the
A6 offers a superior drive. Its acceleration is confidently quick but not
jolting. The ride quality is quiet and smooth, and the steering and
handling is impressive in all driving circumstances. In short, driving or
riding in the A6 is an exercise in comfort and confidence.

Beyond performance, the A6 is equipped with a wide-ranging list of
features, vanity mirrors with regular and magnify glass options to an
electromechanical parking park.

Beginning the latter, the electronic parking brake can throw an
unknowing driver into immediate search mode. The parking brake light
was brightly lit for my first journey in the car. But where was the brake
pedal or handle release? Alas, there wasn't one, rather a lever on the
console that sets or releases the brake with a slight one-finger flick.

The parking brake luxury sets the tone for the rest of the instrumentation,
interior design, myriad appointments and a state-of-the art sound system
($1,300 option).

The navigation system ($1,500 option) is extraordinarily detailed. It's not
a quick study, but the seven-inch screen is highly visible and the
system's functions are superior. Voice responses, for example, are
available in several languages.

The 12-way power front seats have two driver seat memory positions
and the power functions extend from the adjustable steering wheel
sunroof with tilt and slide functionality to folding, heated exterior mirrors.

The vehicle's leather front and rear seats are plush, sturdy and
comfortable. The wooden inlays on the dash, console and doors further
add to the car's interior good looks.

Add Xenon highlights, bluetooth phone availability, the keyless or key
ignition system and Sirius satellite radio, and the new Audi 6
comfortably aligns itself other well-known and highly touted vehicles in
its class — the Acura RL, Lexus LS 430 and the Mercedes Benz E class.
Given the choice of any of the four, it would be hard not to pick the new
Audi A6.

Safety features – Driver and passenger front, side and curtain
airbags; Antilock brakes

Fuel Mileage (estimates) – 17 (city), 23 (highway).

Warranty – Bumper to bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Corrosion,
12 years, limited; (24-hour), four-year roadside assistance program via
third-party supplier

Base price – $50,500.00

James Raia is a journalist, author and publisher in Sacramento, Calif.
Read more of his car review columns ,various other sports, fitness and
human-interest articles and subscriibe to his free electronic newsletters
on on his web site: http://www.ByJamesRaia.com