You have a few choices for the suspension settings. I felt that automatic was just dandy although the rest of the family was more into the sterner choices. It never handles like a BMW and you are always aware of its bulk, but it does drive light on its feet, and if things get tight, the brakes do an excellent job of rectifying the situation.
I also liked the interesting options that Audi offers on its flagship. You can order front seats that massage, heat, and ventilation. There is also an optional four-zone automatic climate control with individual rear-seat settings, and a solar-cell sunroof that produces enough energy to keep the blower bringing outside air into the passenger compartment even with the car is parked.
There are a variety of other treats that Audi has created to cater to its clients. The trunk automatically opens and closes. The key has an identification field integrated in the start button to individualize the setting of up to four drivers for climate control, seat, steering wheel rake, radio favorites, and other systems. The Voice Control System works to help you inform the navigation and stereo of your needs. The GPS data is on a DVD which is good news. The acoustic parking system works well for detecting and beeping out a warning of objects near the front or back of the Audi. Finally, enough cannot be said about the Xenon headlights. They are excellent.
Safety wise this Audi is loaded. You have stability control, ten airbags that cover everything from your head to your knees, and even a first aid kit. There is also a sophisticated theft protection system, active head restraints, and ABS.
Dad's view: The A8 L's 4.2-liter, 40-valve, V8, creates 330 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque and plenty of smiles as it performs well in all situations. Backing up this smooth and quiet unit is a six-speed, Tiptronic, automatic transmission with an elective sport setting. All the power goes through Audi's Quattro system. Unfortunately, the extra weight of the all wheel drive system, despite the significant use of aluminum throughout the car, keeps the 4400-pound Audi from being truly fast. But that is what Audi intended for this is a noble car built for high speed cruising not stop light drag racing.
There are other things that detracted from this otherwise exemplary vehicle. The rear headrests and wide B pillars limit visibility. The front cupholders are so close that when you have two large beverages they hit each other. The car hesitates when downshifting and the accelerator is difficult to modulate at low speeds. Finally, the stereo reception just was not adequate for such an expensive vehicle.
Overall, this is an expensive, elegant, and capable vehicle that treats you royally even if you are sitting in the back seats. It is certainly roomy, and it is certainly capable of getting you anywhere in very little time. If that isn't good enough for you wait for the arrival of the bold new Audi A8 L 6.0. This 12-cylinder model promises to be one of the premier luxury sedans in the world. Hopefully, the world well still have enough oil.
I also liked the interesting options that Audi offers on its flagship. You can order front seats that massage, heat, and ventilation. There is also an optional four-zone automatic climate control with individual rear-seat settings, and a solar-cell sunroof that produces enough energy to keep the blower bringing outside air into the passenger compartment even with the car is parked.
There are a variety of other treats that Audi has created to cater to its clients. The trunk automatically opens and closes. The key has an identification field integrated in the start button to individualize the setting of up to four drivers for climate control, seat, steering wheel rake, radio favorites, and other systems. The Voice Control System works to help you inform the navigation and stereo of your needs. The GPS data is on a DVD which is good news. The acoustic parking system works well for detecting and beeping out a warning of objects near the front or back of the Audi. Finally, enough cannot be said about the Xenon headlights. They are excellent.
Safety wise this Audi is loaded. You have stability control, ten airbags that cover everything from your head to your knees, and even a first aid kit. There is also a sophisticated theft protection system, active head restraints, and ABS.
Dad's view: The A8 L's 4.2-liter, 40-valve, V8, creates 330 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque and plenty of smiles as it performs well in all situations. Backing up this smooth and quiet unit is a six-speed, Tiptronic, automatic transmission with an elective sport setting. All the power goes through Audi's Quattro system. Unfortunately, the extra weight of the all wheel drive system, despite the significant use of aluminum throughout the car, keeps the 4400-pound Audi from being truly fast. But that is what Audi intended for this is a noble car built for high speed cruising not stop light drag racing.
There are other things that detracted from this otherwise exemplary vehicle. The rear headrests and wide B pillars limit visibility. The front cupholders are so close that when you have two large beverages they hit each other. The car hesitates when downshifting and the accelerator is difficult to modulate at low speeds. Finally, the stereo reception just was not adequate for such an expensive vehicle.
Overall, this is an expensive, elegant, and capable vehicle that treats you royally even if you are sitting in the back seats. It is certainly roomy, and it is certainly capable of getting you anywhere in very little time. If that isn't good enough for you wait for the arrival of the bold new Audi A8 L 6.0. This 12-cylinder model promises to be one of the premier luxury sedans in the world. Hopefully, the world well still have enough oil.