The sleek, wind-cheating shape of the A6 is very good at eliminating almost all wind noise. Unfortunately, the

The sleek, wind-cheating shape of the A6 is very good at eliminating almost all wind noise. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

performance-oriented 245/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport tires on my tester generated more road noise and tire 'thrum' than I care for in a car of this stature. Commendably though, the sticky rubber brought it to dramatically short emergency stops. To do so, Audi has equipped the A6 with strong, four-wheel antilock disc brakes featuring Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Surprisingly, these binders felt a little too strong due to over-boosting, leading to a case of hypersensitivity, especially at slower speeds. Nonetheless, emergency stops were easily controlled and free of nosedive and brake fade.

In addition to prodigious braking, the A6 safety net includes driver and front passenger frontal airbags, and driver and front passenger seat-mounted head and chest side airbags. Additionally, all five seating positions are equipped with active head restraints and three-point safety belts with automatic pre-tensioning. And further to Audi's credit, it is one of the few manufacturers to include a first-aid kit with its vehicles. In the A6 it is stowed in the rear seat centre armrest.

Given that the A6 is one step beneath Audi's flagship sedan, the A8, it comes as no surprise that the A6 is brimming with luxury

The A6 4.2 is a vehicle that inspires as it spoils - which is a combination that eludes many wannabees. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

items and amenities as standard equipment. Once an engine has been selected (V6 or V8) only a few choices remain. They include a Cold Weather Package, which adds heated front and rear seats, a ski sack and headlight washers, and an 'S-Line' package that adds the 18-inch performance wheels and sport suspension set-up plus S-Line markings. Standalone options include premium Bose audio, Parktronic parking assist, rear side airbags, DVD navigation with voice recognition, sunshades, solar sunroof, front sport seats, sport suspension, 18-inch wheels and tire-pressure monitoring.