2004 Audi A6 2.7T Test Drive

2004 Audi A6 2.7T

Featuring its innovative Quattro all-wheel-drive system as an option, the 2004 Audi A6 2.7T combines superb build quality and interior design with twin-turbo performance. 2004 Audi A6 2.7T prices: USA $42,840 as tested. Canada $62,075. Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles. Warranty Canada: 4-years/80,000 km.

Heritage

If I were a rich man - not filthy rich, mind you, just nicely rich - looking for a suitable set of wheels, I'd seriously consider the 2004 Audi A6 2.7T. I really like this car. Not only does this lovely automobile bespeak a certain level of affluence, it also goes like stink. My test car was painted in a rich midnight blue. With the highlights around the license plate and on the rear bumper cladding in body color, the car looks significantly less, how you say, "zaftig" than with the two-tone scheme. (Pardon this generalization, but Audis look best when they're painted silver. The 2004 Audi A6 2.7T is, however, the exception to this rule.)

Coachwork

The 2004 Audi A6 2.7T features Audi's trademark stylish, yet no-nonsense, interior. Indeed, one prominent automobile journalist commented that Audi does the best interiors in the business. I can't disagree. Good-quality leather upholstery comes standard. Premium leather upholstery is also available. Leather in every Audi is tanned using environment-friendly organic materials; no pollution is created in this process. All-round visibility is excellent despite the 2004 Audi A6 2.7T's characteristic high beltline design. Rear seat passengers get ample legroom and, with the high seat cushion level, relatively good visibility through both front and side windows. In my not-so-humble opinion the 2004 Audi A6 2.7T should be ordered with the Premium Package. This is a bargain because it includes a power glass sunroof as well as high and low beam xenon headlights. Among its luxury features, the quiet cabin makes this a truly relaxing automobile to be in; at highway speeds wind noise is barely perceptible.

On the Road

With 250 horsepower plus 258 lb. ft. of torque at 1850 rpm, Audi's super-sophisticated V-6 engine provides V-8-like performance. The biturbo system (two in tandem) ensures turbo lag is imperceptible. Step on the loud pedal in any gear and you get virtually instantaneous action. Audi claims a 0-60 mph time of six seconds flat; I have no trouble accepting that figure. The 2004 Audi A6 2.7T is not an inexpensive automobile so I won't kid you about how you're going to save on operating costs by choosing the V-6 over the V-8 (which is still available). The V-6 offers better fuel economy on the highway but you certainly won't see any great fuel savings in city driving. With the 2004 Audi A6 2.7T's superb, 4th-generation Quattro, you'll enjoy the added security of permanent all-wheel-drive, complemented by Audi's state of the art, electronic stabilization program, making it very difficult - though not impossible - for the most ham-footed among us to get into serious trouble.

Summary

The 2004 Audi A6 2.7T is now available with either a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission. Frankly, unless I lived in Europe where I could appreciate the subtleties of a real high-performance automobile, I'd probably forego the 6-speed. Six gears over here is one too many. Overall, however, The 2004 Audi A6 2.7T is a conservative, yet superbly engineered, high-performance automobile with a price tag that's not out-of-line for what you're getting. The only item missing is a little more of the elusive BMW or Mercedes Benz-type cachet. So for now you'll have to be happy having discovered, before most others, the rare and delightful treasures inside this Audi. As I said in the beginning, "if I were a rich man... "