The 2012 Audi A6 underwent a number of changes from the previous year’s model, both cosmetically and mechanically, as Audi attempts to carve a larger slice of the midsize luxury car market. Techies will especially love its new electronic touches, which include Internet access through T-mobile and a touch-pad cabin tech interface. Gearheads will admire its supercharged direct-injection engine and smooth 8-speed automatic transmission.

Five trims make up the 2012 Audi A6 lineup: 2.0T Premium, 2.0T Premium Plus, 3.0T Quattro Premium, 3.0T Quattro Premium Plus, and 3.0T Quattro Prestige. Engines available for the Audi A6 are a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, DOHC 4-cylinder engine that achieves 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and a 310-hp 3.0-liter supercharged, intercooled, DOHC 24-valve aluminum V6 engine that has 325 lb-ft of torque, both of which run on premium gasoline. The 4-cylinder engine, which is mated with a continuously variable automatic transmission and is front-wheel drive, gets an estimated 25 mpg city/33 highway, while the V6, which is all-wheel drive and has an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, gets 19/28.

Standard equipment for the 2.0T Premium and 3.0T Premium trims includes Audi Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering, Audi drive select, Audi pre sense basic, antitheft vehicle alarm system (with immobilizer), power locks, halogen headlights (with daytime running lights), heated windshield washer nozzles, LED taillights, automatic climate control (three zone), leather-wrapped shift knob, 8-way power front seats (with 4-way power lumbar adjustment for driver) with driver’s seat memory, 4-spoke, multifunction steering wheel, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, leather seats, sunroof (with sliding and tilting functions), auto-dimming interior mirror (with compass), Bluetooth HandsFree technology, keyless start, cruise control, MMI radio plus, single-CD player, Homelink remote transmitter, Audi MMI Navigation (plus voice-control system) and 17-inch, 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels (with all-season tires). For those selecting the 2.0T Premium Plus Trim, you get xenon headlights (with daytime running lights), power-adjustable, heated side mirrors (with memory), 7-inch color driver information display, AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer and Sirius XM satellite radio (with trial 3-month subscription), Audi MMI Navigation (plus voice-control system) and 18-inch, 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels (with all-season tires).

The 2012 Audi A6 3.0T Premium Plus trim has all of the previously listed equipment for the 2.0T Premium Plus, while the 3.0T Prestige trim adds adaptive xenon plus headlights (with LED daytime running lights), ventilated 8-way power front seats (with 4-way power lumbar adjustment for driver), four-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting plus, and power tilt-and telescoping steering column (with memory). It also comes standard with a Bose sound system. The Audi connect system, which turns the Audi A6 into a mobile WiFi hotspot, is available on the 2.0T Premium Plus, 3.0T Premium Plus and Prestige trims. Audi connect interacts with the navigation system to provide mapping through Google Earth and has live feeds for both news and weather information.

The 2012 Audi A6 gets high marks from the National Transportation & Safety Board for the number of safety features the car has. These include frontal airbags, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front knee airbags, rear side airbags, Audi backguard system, side intrusion protection, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes (with electronic brake-pressure distribution and brake assist), electronic stability and traction control, tire pressure monitoring system, blind-spot warning system and front and rear parking sensors (the latter two are available options for the 2.0T Premium, 3.0T Premium and Prestige trims). Another safety option is the Audi pre sense basic or plus (basic is standard on the 2.0T trims and plus is available as an option, while plus is standard on the 3.0T trims. Audi pre sense basic can automatically tension the seat belts and close the sunroof and windows if it senses a crash is about to occur. Pre sense plus adds the ability to brake the vehicle automatically prior to a crash as well.

There are a number of option packages that can be added to all trims for the 2012 Audi A6. Available on all trims are the Audi Side Assist Package (which adds additional safety features) and Cold Weather Package (which features heated seats and a heated steering wheel). Premium trims can add an 18-inch Sport Package, which has a sportier suspension, bigger wheels and a race-inspired steering wheel with shift paddles. A similar 19-inch Sport Package is available for both Premium Plus trims as well as the Prestige trim. Other available packages include the Driver Assistance Package, Innovation Package and a 20-inch Sport Package (available only for the Prestige trim). Individual options available for all trims include brushed aluminum, dark brown walnut wood or fine grain ash natural brown wood inlays, black cloth headliner, metallic/pearl-effect paint and rear-passenger thorax side airbags. Full LED headlights and a Bang & Olufsen Advance Sound System, a 1,300-watt sound system with ICEpower digital amplification and 15 speakers, are available as individual options for the Prestige trim.

Interior color options for the 2012 Audi A6 include Black, Nougat Brown, Titanium Gray and Velvet Beige. Exterior color choices are Ice Silver Metallic, Ibis White, Brilliant Black, Glacier White Metallic, Havanna Black Metallic, Quartz Gray Metallic, Moonlight Blue Metallic, Aviator Blue Metallic, Oolong Gray Metallic, Dakota Gray Metallic, Phantom Black Pearl Effect and Garnet Red Pearl Effect.

Driver reviews for the 2012 Audi A6 have been mostly favorable, noting that the vehicle, especially the AWD trims, feels more nimble with a sharper response when stepping on the gas. All trims have plenty of grip, and the weight distribution feels more balanced. The ride can be rough for a luxury car, especially with the optional sports suspension added, but it also is more fun to drive in that setup as well.

The fourth-generation Audi A6 is getting rave reviews from owners and journalists alike. The 2012 model (3.0T Quattro trim) was selected as one of the "10Best" vehicles by Car and Driver magazine. While the A6 continues to feel like a little sibling compared to the A7, the improvements made to the engine and interior, as well as the technology upgrades, make the A6 a solid choice for a midsize luxury car.