It's hard being the middle child. You're neither eldest nor youngest, first nor last. You fight constantly for the attention that automatically seems to come to your "better-ordered" siblings. The oldest is praised for his elegance and sophistication; the youngest for his sportiness and innovativeness. Where and what does that leave you? In the case of Audi's middle child, the A6, it leaves you with the best attributes of both siblings.
The all-new Audi A6's sportiness is obvious at first glance. The low-slung windows, the coupe-like bow curve of the roofline, the slightly curved hood, the visually striking trapezoidal grille and the subtly upturned rear end give the executive-class sedan an aggressive appearance from every angle. It's a welcome change. Think of a professional athlete versus an amateur one. The amateur may be dedicated, but the professional means business.
That professional demeanor is also apparent on the inside. Audi is known for its excellent interiors, and the new A6's raises the company's benchmark up several notches. The cockpit is completely driver oriented. The instrument panel and upper center console are encased together in one frame, and the center console's fascia is angled toward the driver. A slight glance right and you're able to see clearly and reach easily all the knobs, screens and buttons that influence your driving experience.
Audi's easy-to-comprehend Multi Media Interface (MMI) system is standard on the new A6 and adds to the functions the driver can control at the turn of a knob, including the optional adaptive air suspension (first introduced on the A8L). The A6 also gets the first of Audi's new steering wheels. Most noticeable on the four-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel is the four rings surrounded by a representation of the new trapezoidal grille. A simple yet effective reminder of the A6's new presence. (A multi-function version of the new wheel is standard on the A6 4.2 quattro.)
Said presence doesn't forsake elegance and comfort for sportiness. The 12-way power leather front seats with four-way power lumbar offer infinite adjustability so that even the fussiest of sitters can find a just-right position. For those who prefer sporty to elegant, the A6's interior is trimmed in aluminum (standard on the 3.2 FSI), while traditionalists can choose from brown walnut or beige birch wood trim on the 4.2 model. There's also more space inside, giving rear seat passengers more head- and leg room
With elegance comes luxury-and electronic toys-and the new mid-sized sedan doesn't scrimp here, either. The A6 boasts a DSP sound system with 10 speakers and a six-CD changer. Also standard are a tire-pressure monitoring system, satellite radio preparation, phone preparation with Bluetooth interface, coming-home/leaving-home lights and a rain sensor. The 4.2-liter version also features a power sliding/tilting glass sunroof, three-position driver seat memory, Homelink, adaptive bi-xenon headlights and premium leather upholstery. (Note: the sunroof, multi-function steering wheel, bi-xenon headlights, wood trim and a Bose premium sound system are part of a Premium option package for the 3.2 FSI. Homelink and driver seat memory are part of the Convenience package.)
Other options for both models include rear Parktronic, DVD nav system, power rear and manual side sunshades, sport seats and Advanced Key (a keyless start/stop function similar to Mercedes' Keyless Go).
The models' key differentiation is, of course, the powertrain. The 3.2 FSI quattro is powered by a 3.2-liter V6 FSI (fuel stratified injection, but not really-see sidebar on page 40), outputting 255 bhp at 6500 rpm and 243 lb-ft of torque at 3250. The 4.2 quattro has a 4.2-liter V8 with 335 bhp at 6600 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to a six-speed Tiptronic transmission. An 80-bhp gap would appear to make the smaller engined A6 a bit of a dog. Not so. I drove both versions (3.2 liter first, 4.2 second) on the autostrada and up and down narrow, curvy foothill roads. In every instance, the 3.2 FSI was eminently capable of smoothly propelling, and keeping, the 3,703-lb sedan at decent a rate of speed-0 to 62 mph is reached in 7.1 sec. The V6 also emits a lovely sound; not as deep in timbre as the V8, but nonetheless pleasing to the ear.
Audi's six-speed Tiptronic transmission is well known among automotive enthusiasts and needs no introduction here. Updated for the recently introduced S4, the six-speed automatic is adept at handling the power output of both engines, shifting seamlessly in either automatic or Tiptronic mode. Being able to shift via the controls on the multi-function steering wheel simply adds to the A6's overall fun factor.