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"    Handsome and refined, Audi&amp;#039;s A6 has always been an alluring alternative to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E Class. A makeover for 2009 will likely make this middle rung in Audi&amp;#039;s sport sedan lineup that much more appealing. While we haven&amp;#039;t driven it yet, the latest specs offer several tantalizing tidbits, including a new, supercharged V6 engine.   In the appearance department, the changes are subtle. Both ends of the car have been tweaked\u2014the grille and fog lights are more pronounced, LED daytime running lights are available and fresh wheel designs have been added. Audi interiors are some of the best in the business, so it&amp;#039;s good news that the bits inside don&amp;#039;t stray too far from the outgoing model&amp;#039;s. There are, however, new gauge graphics, added aluminum interior accents and softer pads on the armrests. Audi&amp;#039;s MMI (Multi Media Interface), already far easier to use than BMW&amp;#039;s iDrive, upgrades to the third-generation version.   Mechanically, things are far more interesting. Three of the four engines\u2014the 255-hp 3.1-liter V6, 350-hp 4.2-liter V8, and the 435-hp 5.2-liter V10 from the hot-blooded S6 version soldier on with minimal changes, but the supercharged V6 is all new. This 3.0-liter V6 motor belts out 300 hp from the air-pumping effort of a Roots supercharger. The belt-driven blower resides in the valley of the engine and pushes the air past a pair of intercoolers. Thanks to the charge-cooling effects of direct fuel injection\u2014a system used on all A6 engines\u2014the supercharged engine runs a fairly lofty 10.5:1 compression ratio and a maximum boost level of 11.6 psi.   While an A6 with the base 3.1-liter engine is available with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission, the rest of the lineup comes standard with a six-speed automatic gearbox (the shift-yourself Tiptronic feature continues) and Audi&amp;#039;s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Speaking of Quattro, it&amp;#039;s been revised for 2009 and now sends slightly more engine power to the rear (the front/rear split is 40/60) which should\u2014when combined with a retuned suspension\u2014liven up the handling.   While pricing has not been released, the new A6 hits showrooms in January 2009, and Audi expects it&amp;#039;ll take close-to-2008 dollars to take one home. Figure low 40s for a base version, mid 50s for a V8 and over 70 for the wonderful V10 S6. The wagon model (Avant in Audispeak) continues, and it&amp;#039;ll come only with the blown motor.   The A6 rides in a crowded segment, so these upgrades should ensure that it remains competitive. \u2014Larry Webster   RELATED STORIES \u2022 PLUS: Could the 2008 Audi TT 2.0 Be America&amp;#039;s First Sporty 40-MPG Car?   \u2022 TEST DRIVE: 2009 Audi Q5 Has Hot Looks, Sporty Moves  \u2022 EARLIER: 2009 Audi A4 Avant Has Undecided Diesel Future  \u2022 DRIVE GREEN: Biofuel Powered Audi Victory at 2008 Le Mans    2009 Audi A6 2009 Audi A6 2009 Audi A6 2009 Audi A6 2009 Audi A6 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a12802/4277467/>