If the A6 does indeed deserve that designation, it's probably because of that Quattro system, since it tends to give a car a performance edge in more kinds of conditions than a regular rear-wheel-drive car like a 5-Series can handle, even with traction control and all that.
In the real Canadian world, however, Quattro more often means the ability to get moving and stay on the road in the snow and on ice and all that, which is useful if not quite as blood-bumping as having track dominance.
A6's other big selling feature is its exterior style, which is certainly superior to the butt-ugly 5-Series and the bland stodginess of the E-Class. This is most particularly true from the front end, where the new trapezoidal design of the single-frame radiator grille is unmistakable proof that you've got the newest model in the segment.
The big technological breakthrough in the latest A6 is the headlights, which are quite handsome and trick and can look around corners when you're in a curve. This is maybe a useful thing, but it's not a breakthrough.
Everyday driving will likely prove that the advances over the previous A6, which was a sensational car, are all incremental. So it's a little roomier, a little stiffer, a little quieter, a little plusher, and so on.
You can also order the Audi Telematic system for $1,350, which keeps you in touch with a group of advisors who can help you find places, send help if you're in a crash, or many other services.
These are all very good things and perhaps move the A6 to the front of the German luxury sedan queue again, but they're not the kinds of things that will make you consider redistributing your blood around your body.
Clearly, the development of cars in the lower orders makes a super-sedan like the A6 seem less desirable than it used to be, particularly at this price level.
The A6 Tiptronic Quattro starts at $69,370 and for that you get a lot of features, but they don't include a navigation system (which costs $1,975), or a Sport Package ($2,500), or a Premium Package ($2,100), the Parktronic rear-parking assist system ($500), the Warm Weather Package ($1,525), or even the Cold Weather Package ($600).
When you add all that stuff up, you're north of $80,000 and still haven't encountered the major tax hits. If you have even a passing knowledge of what the rest of the automotive world's been up to in recent years, you have to know that you're not buying the big advantage that you used to buy when you take delivery of an Audi A6.
