Upon purchasing my Audi I looked forward to a road test of the 4-cylinder version. Hopefully, it is far beter than the 4-cylinder in our 2015 Mercedes C-Class -- an engine that is simply out-of-place in a purported luxury vehicle. Whenever pushed, it sounds like the rough engine of a tractor. Indeed, even the 4-cylinder in a Chevrolet Malibu is more refined. Roomy interior finished in high-quality materials and trim; powerful engines that also achieve good fuel economy; reflexes like an athlete; top crash-test scores.

One year after a slight face lift of the BMW 5-series and six months before Mercedes launches an all-new E-class at the Geneva auto show, the time is right for Audi to give its A6 a makeover. The most interesting feature is an available supercharged V-6, but before we get there, let's check out the cosmetics. The most obvious novelties are the gigantic air intakes that dominate the front bumper.