Audi A6 2.8 Quattro

As a first impression, the most striking thing about the new Audi A6 is how it looks. Its styling sets it apart from its medium-sized luxury rivals in being bold, which is a courageous move by Audi given the innate conservatism of those who buy this sort of car.

You only have to look as far as the careful, evolutionary designs from BMW and Mercedes-Benz to see that not many manufacturers in this price bracket want to shock - and potentially scare off - their customers.

Audi has had to make the A6 a startlingly different car, simply because it is still establishing itself against the might of its mainly German opposition. That sounds strange, given the A6 can trace its lineage through a range of mid-to-large Audis going back decades. But the fact remains that most buyers will be looking towards BMW's 5-Series as a first stop option.

The new A6 range has been launched in Australia with two engine options, and the choice of front-wheel-drive, or quattro four-wheel-drive. Cheapest - or should that be least expensive - model in the range is the 2.4-litre V6 at $79,800 - and the flagship is the $99,400 2.8 quattro tested here.

There's just the one body style, a curvy four-door sedan which really has to be seen in the flesh to appreciate how good it looks.

The A6's complex use of compound curves hides the fact that it's a pretty big car. At around 4.8 metres long and more than 1.8 wide it takes up a fair patch on the road. It's also very well equipped, as it should be for nigh-on $100,000. Standard features include twin and side airbags up front, anti-lock brakes, climate-control air conditioning, remote central locking, leather seat trim and cruise control. It also has a five-speed automatic transmission with the choice tiptronic style manual gear-changing if the driver desires, and the quattro all-wheel-drivetrain can be seen as either a safety feature, or a boon to better handling for those opposed to front-wheel-drive.

The 2.8-litre V6 has five valves per-cylinder, making it a unique item in terms of specification. It produces 142 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque which, coincidentally or not, are exactly the same outputs of the BMW 528i.

That maximum power figure is developed high in the rev range at 6000 rpm, which means the engine has to be revved to achieve maximum performance, but even so it isn't a spectacularly fast car. It will accelerate to 100 kmh from standstill in around 10 seconds, and the tardiness is due in part to the extra mass of the 4WD system which blows vehicle weight out to 1650 kg.

On the move, however, there's little to suggest the excess of kilograms because the brilliant five-speed auto works well with the engine, choosing the right ratio when the driver asks for more urge. By flicking the gear lever sideways there's the option of changing up and down manually, and the gearbox faithfully holds the selected gear or changes down when asked to.

Because drive is through all four wheels there is complete grip even on wet and slippery roads without the need for traction control, which usually limits power if slip is detected. It all adds up to complete driver control and unfussed progress in all conditions.

The great reserves of grip also mean the A6 quattro tracks with great stability around corners: it has to be a very tight bend before the front wheels relinquish their hold on the bitumen, but under most circumstances the A6 will sit flat and corner with aplomb.

What isn't as impressive is the ride quality, which is somewhat stiffer than you'd expect on a car built for luxury motoring. Instead of isolating the cabin from road shock, the all-independent set-up seems to have been tuned more for a sporting character, and faithfully records minor bumps and ridges which should really be smoothed over.

The A6's interior looks as good as the outside. The test car was done in dark blue leather, which went well with splashes of chrome around the gearshift, and the light coloured woodgrain trim which makes a change from the more usual burr walnut. It all looks stylish, the switch gear is in the right places and the seats are very comfortable.

Roomy too, with enough width to seperate the front seat occupants, and there's even a fold-down armrest for when the driver goes into cruise mode. The back seat has more than enough leg room to make even the tallest occupants comfortable, and head room to match.

The A6's truncated rear end means the boot opening is low and narrow, which somewhat restricts the loading of larger items, but the boot itself is quite long so if its suitcases or gold bags which need to be stowed there should be few problems doing so.

In the end, though, if the A6 is to seriously rival the established opposition - and that mainly means the BMW 528i, but also newcomers like the Lexus GS300 - it needs to be cheaper than its $100,000 price tag. What it does offer is unmatched style, a seamless drivetrain and taut handling, but the fact that the ride is below par, and it really doesn't better its cheaper rivals in any significant area means the A6 has an uphill struggle.For

Startlingly different styling, chic and roomy interior, safe and secure handling.

Rivals : BMW 528i, $96,500, Lexus GS300, $89,500