By Tom Crosby
AAA Carolinas

Audi’s A6 Avant wagon is a true cross-over vehicle with sports car like performance and enough space, comfort and upgrade options to transform it into a luxury family sedan. For 2007, the A6 Avant midsize wagon offers the $3,350 S line package, which was our test-drive, and added sports car features such as 19” alloy wheels, sport suspension, high performance summer tires, 4-spoke multi-function steering wheel with manual shift paddles, S badging, gray birch wood trim and headlight washers.

Our test-drive also had a $4,000 technology package with voice recognition for a navigation system, Sirius satellite radio, advanced parking system with warning beeps and back-up camera, and a key with a chip that unlocks doors as you approach and turns lights off when you walk away. The key’s lock feature must be used when leaving. Push buttons for stop and start engine are all you need, keeping the key in your pocket.

A $2,750 convenience package added Bi-Xenon headlights that turn when heading into corners, telescope /tilt steering wheel and other features, like a Bose Premium sound system. To finish the upgrade, our car also had $2,000 adaptive cruise control that can adjust the distance from the vehicle in front of you, automatic tailgate ($450), front sports seats ($500) and soft premium leather upholstery for $1,000. Fully loaded final price tag: $62,770. The result is a vehicle competitive with automotive’s upper echelon - BMW 545i, Acura RL, Mercedes-Benz E-500 and Cadillac STS.

S line includes a trapezoidal grille with a shiny chrome Audi logo against a black cross-hair background. Avant’s profile rejects stodgy wagon design with a high shoulder line, narrow windows, a slight rear-end taper, roof racks and a small spoiler above the power liftgate.

Inside, the number of buttons, knobs and switches can be challenging with easily more than 100 possible choices. At night controls light up in red, like the cockpit of an airplane. The 7-inch Navigation screen highlights ATM’s, restaurants, gas stations at a 500-yards or lower setting. Unfortunately some are not accurate. Queen City Smoothies in Charlotte was erroneously shown in a residential neighborhood. A Multi Media Interface control button controls dozens of functions and needs to be understood before experimenting while underway. Handling is superior with the Quattro all wheel drive, acceleration is quick and confident with the A6’s racing DNA, noise levels are low and safety high with  numerous air bags and driver’s aids.