2007 Audi S6 Avant

The good news: Audi's crammed a Lamborghini-based V-10 into its elegant midsize sportwagon. The bad news: Only Europeans will have the pleasure of driving it.

But why be envious when the sedan's already here? The S6 Avant has the potential to outrun most performance SUVs. It receives a version of the engine found in the Gallardo and the R8, in this case a 5.2-liter FSI V-10 good for 435 horses (DIN) and an estimated 398 pound-feet, with a six-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. The Avant has a lower center of gravity than anything with the "sport/utility" label, giving this Audi the edge in corners.

It even has advantages over the S6 in sedan skin: The cabin has the same level of comfort and style, but adds up to 58.6 cubic feet of cargo volume (seats folded), the track is slightly wider in front, and the extra metal in back helps redistribute some of the vehicle mass, bringing it closer to a 50/50 distribution. We didn't put the Avant on a scale, but the difference between the standard A6 sedan and wagon are 58/42 and 54/46, and we'd expect the S to fall in line with those numbers.

On the snowy, rainy autobahn, the Euro-spec sport wagon felt nearly as quick as the sedan. Manufacturer estimates put the Avant only 0.1 second slower to 100 kph (about 62 mph). There's a weight difference between the two, but it's not enough to have a significant impact. The transmission shifts at all the right times, but its steering-wheel-mounted paddles and Sport mode make the best use of the power.

You shouldn't be deprived of a great drive because you have kids or a lot of gear. Unfortunately, as of right now, Americans can't enjoy this one. But thank goodness it's out there.