With the odometer rolling 15,300 miles (400-plus added during this test drive report), the Audi A6 performs very well. (The luster faded a bit with a gruesome interior noise that inspired constant use of the audio system. Something was amiss on this A6 given the fact that Audi made sound insulation improvements via new door seals and thicker side window glass for the 2002 model year.) A6 received several upgrades for the 2002 model year, including high-performance front brakes, six-disc in-dash CD changer, new steering wheel, clear glass headlights, aluminum trim on the cluster gauges, and new wheels/bigger tires. Audi also added a sport mode position to all its A6 Tiptronic automatic transmissions. (With Tiptronic, the driver can upshift or downshift via moving the shifter completely forward or downward.) Audi offers four versions of the A6: 3.0 sedan, 3.0 Avant, 2.7 T, and 4.2. The Audi A6 4.2 – signifying a 4.2-liter 300 horsepower V8 engine with five valves per cylinder – was this report’s test vehicle. As a luxury sedan, the A6 sprinkles itself with both big and little touches, like assist/grab handles that include a concealed (hidden) coat hook. The standard fare list includes power mirrors with defog feature, tilt/slide power sunroof, electronic cruise control, and a headlight washer system. The 4.2-liter A6 tallies fuel per gallon estimates of 17 city/25 highway. MSRP is $49,650.