Replacing a model that had debuted for 1992 (initially as the 100 series), the newest A6 proved to be Audi's best effort yet at matching the midline BMW and Mercedes-Benz models in terms of prestige and performance. The midsize, near-luxury sedan displayed the new Volkswagen/Audi corporate look, consisting of an arched roofline and prominent semicircular wheel openings. Built as a scaled-up version of the compact A4 sedan, the A6 was related to the then-new, similarly derived Volkswagen Passat. A sedan debuted first, with front-wheel drive or optional Quattro all-wheel drive. The sedan was about 3 inches longer in wheelbase than its predecessor, but a half-inch shorter overall. It was also slightly wider and taller. An Avant station wagon joined the sedan during the 1998 model year. Dashboard-mounted airbags featured "dual deployment" operation, meaning they would pop out with less force during a crash if the occupant was not wearing a seatbelt. Front side-impact airbags were standard, and rear side airbags optional. All told, an A6 could have as many as six airbags. Sole engine was a 2.8-liter V6 with five valves per cylinder, producing 200 horsepower. Audi's 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission offered manual-shift capability with a secondary selector gate. Sedan rivals included the Acura TL, Infiniti I30, and Lexus ES 300. Except for Volvo and (later) Saab, no manufacturers offered a comparable "near-luxury" station wagon.