Audi has long been thought of as being a step in status below its German rivals, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. But the company is trying very hard to shake that image with evocatively styled, luxuriously-finished, and high-tech-content models. A big step toward this is the new Audi A6, their mid-sized luxury sedan and our latest test car.

Extensive use of aluminum in the body and suspension components has kept weight down on the new A6: 4,077 pounds compared to our 4,108-lb 2010 A6 3.0T Quattro test car.

Audi’s covered all of the bases with powertrain selections. Most A6’s will have the impressive 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive A6s can be had with Audi’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine—a first for this class here in America. A diesel version is planned for later. You won’t find a V8 A6: the 3.0T’s performance makes it superfluous. Sadly, you also won’t find an A6 avant (wagon in Audi-speak) in the United States—too bad because it is a stunning-looking car.

Our A6 3.0T Quattro has the $4,220 Premium Plus package. It includes 18-inch wheels, navigation, xenon headlights (with neat LED daytime running lights), and parking sensors. Maybe the most interesting added feature is the Audi Connect system, which uses a T-Mobile data connection (free for six months) to download Google Maps satellite images on the navigation screen. This is mesmerizing to watch while you drive, which doesn’t help you pay attention to the road. The system also provides a mobile hot spot for passengers’ smart phones in the car and the capability to use Google for navigation destination searches.

Thus configured, the A6 seems to set some sort of record for ways to program a navigation system, including the MMI rotating controller knob, a touch pad that lets you trace out letters, regular navigation system voice commands, and voice commands through Google web searches. Some early logbook comments suggest this is one or two methods too many, especially compared to the simplicity of touch-screen controls.

One curious line-item on the window sticker is “REARVIEW CAMERA PREP.” There’s a camera there, but no image on the screen when reversing. Unfortunately, earthquake-supply issues mean that our A6 and many other Audis are missing a necessary chip for rearview camera operation. We’ve been told that we’ll get the chip hopefully in late fall.

Other options, including blind-zone monitoring, cold weather package, and rear side air bags, brought our car to $56,295. The Ibis White paint saves a $475 metallic paint up-charge but the effect is a bit clinical when paired with its black leather and metallic (no wood) dash trim panels.

First impressions? This A6 is very quiet and very quick with a well-balanced feel. It looks to provide strong competition in a crowded and competitive segment.