(Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

Spend a day enthralling yourself with the A6's handling and performance in the back roads, and the V8 shows its thirsty side--drinking over 17 liters per 100 kilometers. But don't worry--because if the novelty were to ever wear off or if you have more self-restraint than I do, mileage on highway trips will surely impress: around 10 liters per 100 kilometers during cruising.

As tested, the A6 4.2 retails for $82,000. More features can be added atop this price too--like radar-guided cruise control, air-ride suspension and a rear parking camera. Fully loaded, this German musclecar will set you back $90,000. A V6-powered model is also available and starts around $62,500.

The A6 comes off as a natural athlete that is also well-mannered and intelligent--perhaps a rare combination when it comes to some sports. But

(Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com)

the A6's favorite sport is making quick work of long stretches of highway in any season or weather. The A6 and I spent a week traveling rough roads, through rainstorms, around town and logging no less than 15 hours on the highway. All the while, the relaxing and refined feel, coupled with its silky V8 and grippy Quattro drive traction will make it a hard package to beat for an executive express with a taste for bad weather.

There is a reason that Audi is the leader in German All-Wheel-Drive, and this is it.