2004 Audi A6 2.7T S-Line quattro

The third paradigm of performance following acceleration and handling is braking - or maybe it should be first now that I think about it? After climbing aboard my

Although the brake pedal felt mushy, stopping the A6 was a predictable and definitive task. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

test unit, I nudged the brake pedal in order to place the console-mounted shifter in reverse. My first thought was "jeez is this brake pedal ever mushy." After a several miles and a few brake applications I became accustomed to the softness in the pedal's actuation. On my favorite stretch of lonesome road I tested and retested them again before decidedly arriving at the conclusion that the initial feeling of mushiness was not necessarily the negative trait I mistook it to be. Stopping the A6 was a predictable and definitive task thanks to the progressive and linear nature of the mushy brake pedal. Little effort was required to direct the A6 to deliver its full braking ability to all

The Electronic Stability Program system of the A6 monitors the speed of each wheel and the yaw, or inertia, influencing the vehicle. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

four wheels. In doing so the car never jumped out of line or dived excessively nose-first into the tarmac and the antilock system played its part with precision, stepping in when expected but never before.

In addition to its strong 4-wheel disc brakes, Audi has enhanced the dynamic safety of the A6 with the application of Electronic Stability Program (ESP). This technology monitors the speed of each wheel and the yaw, or inertia, influencing the vehicle. When a spin or loss of control is imminent, wheel specific braking and engine retardation is applied to eliminate the threat. Although not completely idiot proof, these systems can literally be lifesavers when foolhardiness exceeds intellect or when foul weather is confronted.