The G Man

The article isn't online yet, but here is a quick summary.

http://killwithfire.blogspot.com/200...t-audi-a6.html

IS-SV

Cool, I'll watch my mailbox. I habitually ignore the rankings, review the specs, and read between the lines with these road tests.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

How unfortunate that the new E350 and XF are ranked lowest, and only because they are not fast nor "sporty".

lamar411

I like the A6 im hoping someday ill buy one used

The G Man

Actually the A6 3.0T was a little slower than the #2 manual 535i #2, Car and Driver was very impressed by Audi's supercharged V6 and found the 09 A6's steering better than the BMW's.

DustinV

I gave up reading Car and Driver many years ago in the US as I believe they are to sports biased and test everything from this exact point of view.

The E class has a solid argument as being one of the (if not THE) best balanced cars in its class offering just the right amount of luxury, comfort and sport (handling) to edge it out on top. Ok, so the V6 is a bit short on power on paper, but other reviews have commented that the E350 feels plenty of fast once you're behind the wheel. I also seriously doubt your average E350 buyer will be interested in drag racing. This (and these cars) sell more because of features and image reasons rather than raw performance.

It is also important to mention that anyone interested in buying (or leasing) an E350 clearly also has enough money to step up to an E550. Thus, if they cared about performance then an E550 (or even the AMG) would be their choice, not an E350.


Nonetheless, all cars tested here are great. My personal favorites are the XF, A6 and the E class.

GFerg

I have the hots for the XF and A6.

Has the A6 received any upgrades in the steering, suspension, brakes, etc this past year? I would find it interesting if the A6 only received an engine upgrade, yet it jumps to #1 in its class for this test. Older test usually had it behind the MB and BMW.

audi2nr

iTrader: (1)

to my knowledge it is mostly a facelift w/leds newer grille ie no plate beltline in the middle and it is glossy. and of course led's and what looked to me like larger xenon projectors. it obviously got the 3.0 supercharged and it does have the 40/60 torque split also. a couple of other things higher res mmi and audi side assist (blindspot recognition) oh, diffrent tail lights too

dunnojack

i knew this was about audi before i clicked

it's a nice looking car.

but we'll see if it suffers total electronic failure in 5 years.

Gojirra99

I don't recall seeing the current generation 5-series(including the M5) winning any comparisons ...

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

BMW didn't win?

LexFather

Yeah basically

Honestly C&D is such a bad magazine I cannot take any comparison tests serious. They are only good for technical data.

It is a HORRIFIC magazine. Sorry.

TwiBlueG35

It is no surprise to me. 5-series is not even in their ten best cars in the recent years. But 3-series, on the other hand, will always win any possible comparison they hold, because C&D only cares about driver, not passengers. They would only pick cars that are "fun" to "drive", and totally ignore any other aspects of a car.

LexFather

Whats odd is Jaguar offers 4 V-8 engine choices and they got the oldest and worst one.

I have to say the XF does it for me out of this bunch.

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

For looks I have to give it to the XF and A6. Audi's latest models have really been growing on me Correct me if I'm wrong but the V6 being launched with the 2010 E is a carryover from the last gen right? I'm not surprised it lost because the 268 horses it puts out can't compete with the other engines here. I'd be interested to see how everything stacks up when they put the DI V6 into the E though