Next to run our slalom test, the Lexus and Audi clocked 63.3 and 62.7 mph, respectively. Walton noted that the Lexus required a lot of concentration to run quickly, as the car is so heavily damped (more about that later). Its steering is quick and executes difficult transitions rapidly, but does so with more body roll and less feedback about what the car is doing. Chris felt the Audi's basic chassis goodness and any potential advantage to be gained from the AWD system were let down by tires that just lost their grip as they got hot. "The quattro doesn't seem to react quickly enough to make a difference when it counts, as the rear tires let go." But just shy of the limit, the Audi handles in a satisfying fashion.
Finally, at 58.2 mph through the slalom the Mercedes is in a distant fourth place. Its grip levels are obviously the lowest, and the car just feels larger than it is when really pushed. Initial turn-in is considerably softer than the others, and the Benz wagged its tail quicker and easier than the rest, too. Cranking the steering wheel on his way toward a cone, there was a momentary but noticeable lag before the chassis reacted and brought the car through, though it did so with relatively little understeer. It's clearly tuned more for lux than for sport.
On The RoadAt-the-limit test-track impressions rarely translate to real-world on-the-road handling impressions. But in this case, they do, with surprisingly little variation. The BMW just begs to be driven, athletically responds to the driver's every command, and clearly communicates what it's doing and what the road is all about. Turn-in is crisp, and its overall handling attitude is neutral right up to the limit, with some understeer checking in at the threshold of control. We figured this much cornering prowess would return a punishing ride, but not so. In fact, the 540i's overall ride quality is our favorite of the bunch: firm and controlled, yet somehow comfortably supple without ever being mushy. It also creates the least amount of wind noise and road rumble. The Steptronic transmission ties with the Mercedes TouchShift as our favorite: It always seems to be in the right gear at the right time, up- and downshifts crisply, and offers you standard Drive, Sport Drive, and full manual modes. Again, we're talking about Corvette-like handling performance here, and the 540i delivers it all with balance and aplomb.
Though the Lexus barely outran the Audi through the slalom cones, we preferred the A6's handling character once out in the real world. It's very linear and gives you the confidence to drive it aggressively. The car turns-in well, although the steering feels a tiny bit over-boosted. The front end feels well-pinned to the road, though one editor wrote the rear suspension dances around a little too much at the limit. While we criticized the A6 2.7t for not having aggressive enough tires and suspension calibrations, this 4.2 goes almost too far in the other direction; sometimes its ride quality feels overly and artificially harsh. But some like that firm feel, and the A6 chassis communicates its intentions commendably. The Tiptronic trans system generally works well in the Drive mode, but does too much thinking for you in the manual mode: It won't let you select and hold first gear, and it will upshift at redline even if you aren't ready to. Not bad, but not ideal.
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