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The newest Audi sedan, the redesigned midsize A6, is now arriving at U.S. dealerships. The United States is the last to get the car, however; Audi, the luxury arm of Volkswagen, debuted the new car in Europe and other markets earlier.

This is the middle-priced sedan in the Audi lineup, between the current entry level compact A4 and the flagship full-size A8.

For 2005, the A6 rides on an all-new chassis, and has moved a few notches upscale to where it now is a refined luxury sport sedan that competes well against such heady competition as the Mercedes-Benz E-class, BMW 5-series, and Jaguar S-type, as well as Japanese luxury cars such as the all-new Acura RL, Lexus GS and Infiniti M45.

There are two versions of this car: one with a 3.2-liter V-6 engine rated at 255 horsepower and 243 foot-pounds of torque, with a base price of $40,900 (plus $720 freight); and a 4.2-liter V-8 model with an impressive 335 horsepower and 310 foot-pounds of torque. List price for that one begins at $50,500 (plus freight), which is about the same as last year’s 4.2 model.

With the re-do, Audi moves the A6 into the sport sedan class, with styling that is a bit more inspired that it has been in the past.

Inside, the car is the picture of elegance, but for the morass of silly high-tech gadgetry that serves mostly to distract the driver from the task at hand: steering the car safely. Except for this flaw, which is an increasing problem with luxury cars from German automakers, the A6 is an outstanding product.

The V-6 offers more than adequate power for most people’s needs; after all, we don’t have an Autobahn with no speed limits here like they do in Germany. This is a smooth engine with enough zip for passing, hill-climbing and freeway merging, and is connected to a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission that allows the driver to shift manually.

Audi expects the V-6 to account for 90 percent of its U.S. sales, leaving the rest to the V-8 model, which takes this car not only to that higher price point, but to a much higher level of performance.

That car also gets the six-speed Tiptronic gearbox, and both models come only with Audi’s patented Quattro fulltime all-wheel-drive system, which works to give the car better traction on all pavement surfaces, wet or dry.

Leather seating surfaces are standard on both models, although the V-8 version gets what Audi calls “premium leather.” That’s leather from very special cows, I suppose. Seat colors include black, platinum and sand beige in the V-6 models, and amaretto or cream beige with the premium leather, which is standard on the V-8 but optional on the V-6.

Bi-xenon headlights also are standard on the V-8 model, but optional on the V-6. Once you start adding options to the V-6, however, you can quickly run its price up close to that of the V-8, and still not have the V-8 engine. If you have the extra 10 grand to spend, the V-8 would be the better choice, especially if you want the boost in power. That boost in power comes at another cost, however. EPA fuel-economy ratings for the V-8 are 17 miles per gallon in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

Audi says the V-6 gets better mileage than that, but no figures have been released yet. Some of the fuel savings with the V-6 are attributed to the engine’s “fuel stratified injection” system, offered for the first time in North America.

This system, which injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber rather than into the intake port, is designed to give the engine more torque and higher power with lower fuel consumption.

Performance figures for the V-6 are zero to 60 mpg in 7.1 seconds and an electronically governed top speed of 130 mpg; for the V-8, the zero-to-60 time is just six seconds, but the top speed remains the same. Audi apparently doesn’t trust Americans to drive its vehicles faster than 130; there is no such speed governor on European models. Of course, they have the Autobahn; we don’t.

The smooth ride and superb roadhandling of both models is due in part to an increase in torsional stiffness of the body of 34 percent over the previous A6. This also helps to provide a quiet ride, even at highway speeds. The car comes with a four-link front suspension and a trapezoidal-link rear suspension that Audi says is borrowed from the larger A8.

Aluminum and wood trim abound in the interior, adding to the elegant appearance of these cars. Outside, aluminum wheels are standard – 16-inch, seven-spoke wheels on the V-6 and 17-inch, 16-spoke on the V-8. The V-6 can be upgraded to 17- or 18-inch wheels, while the V-8 can be ordered with the 18-inch wheels.

The distracting high-tech gadgetry mostly is associated with Audi’s so-called Multi Media Interface. This comes with a seven-inch color display and integrated audio system, including Sirius satellite radio. Functions of this system are controlled by a joystick on the center console between the driver and front passenger, behind the gearshift.

Operating it requires concentration on the screen while moving the joystick, and this is not conducive to driving safety – especially in traffic or at highway speeds. This distraction is required just to change radio stations, for instance.

The system can be upgraded to include a DVD navigation system and Bose surround-sound audio equipment, which Audi insists “offers the acoustic qualities of a concert hall.”

Among other standard features on all A6 models: dual-zone automatic climate control, electromechanical parking brake (operated by a button on the center console), a light and rain sensor, and even preparation for Bluetooth telephone interface.

Both cars get a four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, as well as programmable daytime running lights and coming home/leaving home lights, as Audi calls them.

As safety, the cars include electronic stability control at no extra cost, along with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, two-stage front air bags, a side-curtain air bag system, plus side airbags and active head restraints for the driver and front passenger.

Nine exterior colors are offered, along with the several interior color combinations. As with several other cars on the market this year – ranging from the hybrid Toyota Prius to the new Chevy Corvette – the A6 is available with a keyless ignition system ($750) that allows the driver to keep the key fob in his or her pocket, using buttons on the console to start or stop the car.

This system also automatically unlocks the door nearest to the person who has the key fob as soon as the door knob is touched. This is a great feature if you’re approaching the car with your hands full; it even works for the trunk.

Options include cold weather and sport packages, along with the Bose audio system upgrade, a rear parking-assist system ($350); power rear and manual side window sunshades ($400); the navigation system ($1,500); an automatic tire-pressure monitoring system ($250); and a voice-recognition system for cockpit controls ($350).

G. Chambers Williams III is staff automotive columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and former transportation writer for the Star-Telegram. His automotive columns have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at (210) 250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com