Although the majority of column inches are snagged by the more powerful models in the Range, Audi know that the bulk of sales of their latest A6 model will come from more modestly powered versions. Four more affordable variants are offered - two diesel models powered by 2.0 and 2.7-litre TDI engines and two petrols, the turbocharged 2.0-litre FSI and the 2.4-litre V6 petrol model we examine here.

The problem with choosing an entry level petrol engine in an executive car - and a big one at that - is that it often ends up having about as much poke as a ride-on lawnmower and when you do try to extract what power there is, fuel consumption becomes catastrophically bad. Rather than hobble the A6 with something puny, Audi have thankfully given it a 'proper' engine in the shape of a six-cylinder 177bhp 2.4-litre powerplant.

This engine is strong enough to propel the massive A6 to some very decent performance figures, registering 60mph in 8.7 seconds and capable of running on to 143mph, figures that not so very long ago were the sort of results you'd expect to see from a Range-topping Mercedes E Class. Although the A6 2.4 will have the power to generate some satisfaction behind the wheel, that comes at a price. Company car drivers may well wince when they see the 240g/km carbon dioxide emissions and realise that this is more than the comfortably more powerful BMW 530i and Mercedes E320 models. Likewise, fuel economy isn't the Audi's standout feature either, recording the same 28.2mpg combined figure and emissions as its 3.2-litre FSI petrol engined sibling, a car to which it cedes a 79bhp horsepower advantage. Should you opt for either the quattro four wheel drive or the Avant estate version (or both), then you'll not be helping yourself in this respect.

If you're planning to run your A6 for a longer-term period or you are a company car user/chooser, our advice would be to stretch to the £27,480 2.7TDI-engined version as it offers far greater economy with an awesomely muscular engine and low emissions. If, on the other hand, you're a private buyer who isn't looking to rack up interstellar mileage, the sums may well work in the 2.4-litre petrol car's favour and it will always be easy to sell on to the significant number of potential customers who remain unconvinced by executive cars that drink from the black pump.

"This engine is strong enough to propel the massive A6 to some very decent performance figures"

Equipment levels even on this entry level petrol powered A6 are comprehensive, if not lavish. Aluminium trim inserts brighten the interior and there's a CD player located in the glovebox that's linked to a 10 speaker 160 watt stereo system. Cruise control, electrically heated windscreen washers and door mirrors, rain sensing wipers and a Thatcham Category 1 ultrasonic alarm are also standard fit items. Safety is well taken care of with anti lock brakes, Bosch ESP stability control, EDL traction control, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) with brake assist. Twin front and side airbags are also fitted.

The key styling feature is that prominent grille or, as Audi prefer to call it, the 'single frame'. Look beyond that and you'll notice the curvaceous flanks, topped and tailed by a sharp longitudinal crease line that forms a definite hip and the rising edge in the door sills that creates a great deal of tension and shadow in the A6's profile. The Ingolstadt company claims the world's tightest shut lines and the panel fit around the door is indeed superb, the 2.5mm apertures between the doors and body panels being astonishingly uniform. Gone are the days when the 'pound coin test' would separate the best from the rest when it comes to panel fit.

The design isn't all show however. The neat integrated tail spoiler helps cut rear lift to a quarter of the outgoing model's figure and the drag coefficient has been cut too from 0.31 to a slippery 0.28. Despite its slinky profile, the tale of the tape doesn't lie and the A6 is now comfortably the biggest car in its class, dwarfing rivals such as the Jaguar S-TYPE and the Lexus GS series. The overall length has swelled to 4916mm, up a whole 121mm over the outgoing car. The boot is a whopping 546 litres in all saloon models (Avant estates to follow in 2005) which is not only bigger than the 5 Series and the E Class but also manages to put this car's big brother, the A8, in the shade.

There's a good deal of A8 in the A6's genetics. It too makes extensive use of aluminium to help trim the weight. The bonnet, front bumper, bootlid and firewall are all constructed in aluminium, although such are the volumes that Audi predict this car will sell in that an all-aluminium construction like the A8 would have proved too difficult to productionise. Despite being significantly larger than the old car, the weight of the entry-level 2.4-litre saloon has swelled by a mere 45kg to 1525kg.

Buyers of the 2.4-litre car can now specify one with Quattro all-wheel drive transmission and even if you don't, the double wishbone front suspension and multi link rear setup is a good deal more sophisticated than front-wheel drive A6 models of the past have had to campaign with. A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard.

The Audi A6 2.4 does just enough to warrant serious consideration. It's well equipped, spacious and offers enough performance to prevent embarrassing third lane manoeuvres. It's high emissions and modest fuel economy will preclude it from some customer shortlists but for the private buyer not looking to rack up interstellar mileages, it looks one of the more attractive choices. Entry-level petrol powered executive cars can be a big disappointment. Here's one that isn't.

TOP 5 A6 DEALS

The results below show the top A6 deals on buyacar

	Audi A6 2.4 Quattro S Line 5dr Avant Estate
	ETR	Mthly £533	Saving £3,045	Price £28,615
	Audi A6 2.4 Quattro SE 5dr Avant Estate
	ETR	Mthly £477	Saving £2,727	Price £26,043
	Audi A6 2.4 S Line 5dr Avant Estate
	ETR	Mthly £510	Saving £2,902	Price £27,458
	Audi A6 2.4 SE 5dr Avant Estate
	ETR	Mthly £454	Saving £2,584	Price £24,886
	Audi A6 2.4 S Line 5dr Multitronic Avant Estate
	ETR	Mthly £537	Saving £3,061	Price £28,749

typical 9.87% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000