TO a certain extent, a car is what you make of it, whether it is a clapped out old banger or a pricey latest model.
The impressive Audi Avant A6 2.0 TDI is a case in point - a terrific car made into something extra special.
Because it was packed with thousands of pounds worth of optional extras.
But they don't come cheap. While the basic model is £26,920, the extras took the car up to almost twice the price at £40,690.
The most expensive items in a long list of pricey extras were seven-speed multitronic transmission at £1,450, a communications pack including AMI and CD changer at £2,150, electric front seats with memory for the driver's seat at £1,100 and Adaptive Cruise Control at a similar price.
That's only part of it. I've not mentioned the other 16 extras on the test car, but believe me, the cost quickly racks up.
But plenty appear to be prepared to pay.
The Audi A6, the sportiest business sedan on the market is also the most successful and it leads its segment in both Europe and worldwide.
In 2007, Audi sold some 234,000 units of the sedan and Avant around the globe, equivalent to a market share in its core competitor group of 37 per cent.
A series of new expressive features accentuate the design of the latest A6. The single-frame grill, bumpers, air inlets and fog lights have all been restyled.
The headlights contain integrated daytime running lights, in conjunction with the optional xenon plus package, they take the form of a horizontal LED strip.
One of the strengths that makes the A6 such a successful competitor is the wide variety of engines it offers. Five petrol engines and four diesels with four, six and eight cylinders are available, all offering the advantages of direct injection with the cutting-edge FSI, TFSI and TDI technology.
Intensive engineering refinements have maximised the engines' power and efficiency and across the model line, fuel economy has been improved by 15 per cent.
Their power is transmitted to the front or to all four wheels via a manual transmission, the high comfort tiptronic or the continuously variable multitronic transmission.
This diesel was one of two entry level vehicles and seemed packed with power, with impressive official economy figures.
Inside is spacious and sumptuous. Audi is now using softer upholstery. L-shaped head restraints can be lowered well out of the way and are a stylish design feature.
As an option - again - Audi will fit two exceptionally comfortable individual seats with leather upholstery.
The character of the cockpit is one of sophisticated elegance.
The instrument panel has been remodelled with higher-resolution graphics and a new frame now accentuates the display.
You can get an optional package for the boot, with hooks, a net and a power outlet, a reversable mat and a trunk lid that automatically opens. Again it was fitted to my test vehicle and it's all very useful.
And there's tons of space - with a capacity of 565 to 1,660 litres.
FAST FACTS
Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI SE auto
Price: £29,515
Mechanical: 170ps, 1,968cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 7spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 133mph
0-62mph: 9.2 secs
Combined mpg: 47.9
Insurance group: 14
C02 emissions: 154g/km
BiK rating: 21%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles