Audi hit their target!

The car I drove had the sport package and contrary to C&D findings, the ride was not rough over broken pavement - just well damped and controlled - no harshness at all.

Overall, the car is right between the 545 and the E500 - not quite as sporty and precise as the BMW, but much better than the E500.

The only real let down for me was the sluggish movement away from a stop. Once it got going, it was fine, but slowing down to a stop and starting again felt like it was trying to start in 3rd. It may be better in tip mode but I didn't try it. This may be a transmission adjustment problem, but it did seem like it was having a very hard time finding a gear and getting going.

After the clumsy (ugly) appearance of the BMW, I have decided not to complain about the new snout - it is a little heavy looking, but hey, its not what you look at while driving the car!

Inside I was plesantly surprized. I was expecting not to like the gray plastic on the dash after having seen the pictures, but in real life it looks fine. Overall quality, materials and fit and finish are streets ahead of the BMW, and better than the MB. For the first time the architecture in my current A6 looked old after I got back in the car. The new interior looks quality and I would have a very hard time justifying the extra $20K for an A8.

Incidently I drove the Acura RL immediately afterwards, and I have to say there is no comparison. The Acura may be $10K cheaper (after options on the A6), but it definitely looks it. In fact, I believe the Accord has better material quality than the RL. Acura tried hard, but penny pinched where they shouldn't have. The car is a nice drive but not as smooth or refined as the A6. The "Super Handling" is nothing special on normal roads. Nice gadgets though.

I agree 100% with you. My new A6 3.2 in black with 18" wheels is a work of art. No comparison to the RL, although the 5 series is growing on me after 1.5 years. I caould not wait till March for the 4.2.
Love the MMI controls. They are well designed and your right hand just flows-out the commands. The dash is superb and the interior is buuutiful with the Ameretto leather. I love this thing.

PS. The SH-AWD seems to come on very late in a turn. I was doing circles in a parking lot and it was hard to get it to kick-in. Also saw an RL a few nights ago in ftont of me. The tail and lighting at night was not impressive. A6 rules! Happy with my choice at the same price.

Jerrys, can you post some pics of your car? I am close to ordering one and was leaning toward a Black with Ameretto interior. What other options did you get? Congratulations on your beautiful new car.

Steve

hemant,

I think the sluggish start you noted is due to the advanced transmission. Per the owners manual, it is supposedly trying to determine whether you are an aggressive driver or casual driver. I starts in 2nd gear for the latter to save fuel. You will not have this problem if driving in tip or sport mode.

I'm loving my car and have had no problems to date.

I wanted a 4.2 with EVERYTHING but took the 3.2 that was close. It has 18" a/s, premium, convenience, Sirius, sport seats, cold pckg and leather upgrade. The dealer agreed with me that one of the hottest colors is the Black/Ameretto and that it goes fast, including in A8s. I tried to get three of them but the other dealers refused. It reminded me of the Porche or Ferarri interiors, so I jumped on this one.
The link below is someone's similar looking A6.
The color of the Amaretto in real life is a bit darker and richer.<ul><li><a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/c6a6/msgs/503.phtml">http://forums.audiworld.com/c6a6/msgs/503.phtml</a</li></ul>

The only way to get the Aluminum here is if we don't order the Premium package.
Audi has forced the Premium and Convenience Packages on all of its orders.
The Amaretto is just...GORGEOUS!

A couple of weeks ago I drove a 4.2 and I had the same experience. It felt as if it fell into a whole when leaving a traffic light. I hate to say it but I think that the car has too much power for everyday stop and go traffic. Once more throttle is applied the dip at the light goes away but, unfortunately, the reality of travel in metropolitan America means light throttle applications are the norm. This car seems built for the open road; not the urban life. I am interested in driving a 3.2 to determine if it behaves the same way.

The car I drove had the sport package and the suspension felt great, it feels much like a TT. I have one of the first TTs delivered in the country, with the MK I suspension and the overall control, ride, and brake feel is very similar.

I am considering an A6 for myself and my Mother. I cannot really justify the 4.2 for my Mother as her driving range is about 10 miles! Perhaps, with the right incentive a VW Phaeton would be a better choice--comfort and safety are her major concerns! I, on the other hand, walk to work and only use my car on the weekends. Therefore, I can convince myself to get a faster car--one suited for the open road.

On the technology front, it is rumored that the new S6 will not have the Lamborghini V-10 but instead a new 5.2l engine based on the 4.2 architecture. Also, sometime I suggest to the diehard Audiphile a review of the US Patent Office patent database. Audi has had several interesting patents granted recently. One is for the air diverter found on the new A6 and the other is a sequential turbocharger sharing a common housing. Recall that BMW recently launched a new 535 using sequential turbocharging. This car, according to autowriters, is a diesel powered M5!

The future looks bright for Audi in the U.S!

Cordially,

John J. Szobocsan

"For the first time the architecture in my current A6 looked old after I got back in the car."

I wrote almost exactly those same words when I looked at the C6 for the first time. Kinda depressing, in a way for me, as a C5 owner! ;-)

I love the black/cream just as much as the black/amaretto.

Most likely with 5.5L of displacement instead of 5L or 5.2L because of the new S6's and RS 6's weight vs. the competition. 5.5L of displacement will make the V10 produce the hp and torque it will absolutely have to produce in both cars (450 hp and 413 lbs/ft of torque for the S6; 550 hp and 450 lbs/ft of torque for the RS 6) to keep up with or exceed the competition, again, given the weight of the new S6 and RS 6 vs. the competition. However, to fit the V10 into the engine bay and completely behind the front axle (for the near 50/50 front/rear weight distribution that Auto Express indicated the new S6 and RS 6 with the V10 will have) of the new S6 and RS 6, the new S6's and RS 6's following dimensions will have to increase by the following over the lesser A6s: 1.5 inches (overall length), 2.1 inches (wheelbase), 1.1 inches (front track) and 1.3 inches (rear track). The near 50/50 front/rear weight distribution (along with numerous other mechanical and structural and chassis enhancements over the lesser A6s) should provide the new S6 and RS 6 with the all around performance and driving and chassis dynamics and all around comfort that the new S6 and RS 6 will also need to keep up with or exceed the competition, despite being the heaviest cars in their class.