Audi A6

Impressions: Audi is the showroom you want to visit when it's time to move up from your Volkswagen into another German-built vehicle that offers more cachet. You might think that that's a natural progression for VW owners, but Audi competes in one of the toughest automotive segments, made that way by a number of Japanese and German manufacturers that take their luxury cars just as seriously. The company with the best technology usually wins and the 2007 A6 has loads of it along with stunning good looks. The sedan arrives with your choice of a 255-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 mated to a continuously variable transmission or an optional (and new) 350-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 that sports five valves per cylinder in either front- or all-wheel drive. The wagon, introduced for the 2006 model year, comes only with Quattro all-wheel drive, the V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual control. For buyers pining for the long-gone Audi Allroad wagon, this is your car. To add a little gasoline to the fire, Audi has introduced the hot-rod S6 sedan with, get this, the 450-horsepower 5.2-liter V10 out of the larger S8. Expect suitable brakes for this level of performance as well as an enlarged wheel and tire package and unique body bits. Among the A6's unique appointments is a single knob located on the console that operates in conjunction with a dash-mounted seven-inch video screen to control the cabin temperature, central locking system, vehicle diagnostics, audio controls, navigation system, cellular phone and gauge cluster. The parking brake is even controlled by an on/off switch rather than the usual pull lever. Notable changes for 2007 are limited to the addition of some new features in the options packages while all models get new overhead consoles. Base price: $42,000 Type: Four-door sedan/wagon Base engine (hp): 3.2-liter DOHC V6 (255) Optional engines (hp): 4.2-liter DOHC V8 (350); 5.2-liter DOHC V10 (450, S6) Layout: Front-engine, front-/all-wheel drive Transmissions: Continuously variable; six-speed automatic Mileage (city/hwy): 21/29 (3.2) Safety: Front airbags; side-impact airbags; head-curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes; rear-seat side-impact airbags (opt.) Weight (lb.): 3,960 Basic warranty: 4/50,000 Roadside assistance: Yes Web: www.audi.com