What's New?
The Avant wagon is now available in an S-Line version, and the optional 4.2-liter V-8 adopts Audi's FSI direct-fuel-injection system to boost power and fuel economy. The new high-performance S6 gets a 435-hp, 5.2-liter V-10 engine.

Overview
A competitor to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series, the A6 offers a choice of sedan and wagon body styles, 6- or 8-cylinder power, and optional quattro all-wheel drive. As with other Audi models, a host of comfort, convenience and safety features are standard, including Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI), a Bose stereo, side curtain air bags, and electronic stability control (ESC). The S-line package, available on last year's sedan, is now optional on the wagon. It includes special exterior and interior trim and unique wheels (with performance tires on quattro-equipped cars).

Base engine for the A6 is a 255-hp, 3.2-liter V-6. Front-wheel-drive sedans get a continuously-variable transmission (CVT), while quattro models get a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic. The wagon version, called the Avant, is available exclusively with the 3.2 V-6/quattro drivetrain. The optional 4.2-liter V-8 has been upgraded for 2007 with Audi's FSI direct fuel injection, which pushes output to 350 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque, while improving fuel economy slightly.

The new S6 performance variant, available exclusively as a sedan, is easily and instantly identifiable thanks to two horizontal rows of five white LEDs positioned low on each side of the front bumper. They serve as daytime running lights and as a reminder of the S6's 10-cylinder powerplant. This is the same 5.2-liter gasoline-powered V-10 available in the S8, slightly detuned to produce 435 hp and 398 lb.-ft. of torque. The 0-60 mph time for the S6, according to Audi, is 5.1 seconds. The suspension is tuned to handle the extra power that the engine delivers. The S6 is available exclusively with a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic and quattro all-wheel drive.

The Competition
The Audi A6 competes in the Midsize Premium Conventional segment, which consists of 12 models. Buyers in this segment look for quality, performance, and reliability, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider Study^SM and the Escaped Shopper Study.^SM

The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM were the Lexus ES Series (75,987 units sold), BMW 5 Series (56,756), and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (50,195). The Audi A6 sold 16,216 units in 2006, a decrease of 10.3 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Midsize Premium Conventional segment include the Lexus GS Series, Cadillac STS, Infiniti M-Series, Volvo V70, and Acura RL.