In 1982, Audi introduced its redesigned 5000 to the world and unwittingly influenced the shape of sedans to come. The 5000’s smooth flanks, disk wheels and flush-mounted side glass were replicated by a generation of cars over the next two-and-a-half decades, and when its successor debuted in 1994, the A6 grew some curves while retaining Audi’s patented blend of staid Germanic modernity. The 2009 Audi A6 isn’t nearly as revolutionary. It sits atop the same C6 platform we’ve known since 2005, and last year, the automaker gave its upper mid-sizer a mild makeover consisting of new front and rear fascias, light clusters and a few interior tweaks. Maybe that’s why Audi thought it need to commission actor Jason Statham to star in a multi-million dollar Super Bowl advert to boost the A6’s image. Well, that and to highlight the automaker’s all-new supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 – the same engine due to be fitted to several new Audis, including the 2010 Audi S4. How does the restyled A6 fair during a week of testing? And more importantly, is this new blown V6 a suitable replacement for Audi’s 4.2-liter V8? Find out after the jump.

[amazingadgets]