Of course, there is more to this car than sheer unadulterated interior luxury. To drive the Audi A8 is even more pleasure than just sitting in it.
No doubt, the available W12 engine might offer slightly more power and refinement, but the 335hp 4.2 V8 as fitted to my test vehicle, was more than enough for me. When coupled to Audi's famous Quattro All-Wheel-drive system, I can't imagine anyone needing anything more.
The A8 rides like the luxury sedan that it is, yet a quick tweak to the air-ride suspension control and a subtle stomp of the right foot puts you into another world entirely. The A8 has all the agility of the rest of the brand. This didn't totally surprise me, as the Audi family is known for its handling characteristics.
Obviously, it is a rather large vehicle compared to the brand's other offerings, and one has to be constantly aware of its size when maneuvering in traffic, but this car can be fun when you want it to be.
Of course, I didn't spend my week driving it that way. After all, a vehicle such as this should be driven in a "stately" fashion, simply soaking up the pleasure of the drive.
That sentence just about sums up my week spent in the Audi A8, an absolute pleasure.
Of course, now we come to one or two obvious questions concerning the Audi A8.
If Volkswagen couldn't sell their Phaeton model to North America in sufficient numbers to make it viable, how well can Audi expect to do with their offering? Maybe the higher price tag and the Audi logo will help. ($97,190 for the base 4.2 V8, base on the W12 version is $170,800)
Basically, Audi is selling their V8 for the same price as the VW's W12 version. Does this make the Audi A8 a tad expensive?
I'm going to stick my neck out and say that "I don't think so". In fact, if you examine the current offerings from the likes of Mercedes Benz and BMW, you'll find that it compares rather favorably. When you add in the fact that Audi is world renowned for its All-Wheel-Drive vehicles, I'd say that it is an almost perfect luxury vehicle for those Canadians who can afford it.
What it also says to me, is that any manufacturer is capable of making whatever type of vehicle that they wish, given the opportunity.
There used to be a saying amongst Mercedes-Benz owners, that "you purchased the three pointed star on the hood, and they threw the rest of the vehicle in for free". Those days of high-end badge buying could well be numbered, as today's platform sharing world gives more brands access to the prestige marketplace. I'd say "that's a good thing".
For more details concerning this vehicle, please refer to the technical specifications and to the standard features list.
If you wish to test-drive or receive a price quotation for this vehicle, you only have to perform a retailer / dealer search in your region.
photo:Kevin Corrigan - Volkswagen
 |
| The 4.2L V8 offers plenty of power. |
The A8 rides like the luxury sedan that it is, yet a quick tweak to the air-ride suspension control and a subtle stomp of the right foot puts you into another world entirely. The A8 has all the agility of the rest of the brand. This didn't totally surprise me, as the Audi family is known for its handling characteristics.
Obviously, it is a rather large vehicle compared to the brand's other offerings, and one has to be constantly aware of its size when maneuvering in traffic, but this car can be fun when you want it to be.
Of course, I didn't spend my week driving it that way. After all, a vehicle such as this should be driven in a "stately" fashion, simply soaking up the pleasure of the drive.
 |
| Is this car fairly priced at $97,190 ? |
Of course, now we come to one or two obvious questions concerning the Audi A8.
If Volkswagen couldn't sell their Phaeton model to North America in sufficient numbers to make it viable, how well can Audi expect to do with their offering? Maybe the higher price tag and the Audi logo will help. ($97,190 for the base 4.2 V8, base on the W12 version is $170,800)
Basically, Audi is selling their V8 for the same price as the VW's W12 version. Does this make the Audi A8 a tad expensive?
I'm going to stick my neck out and say that "I don't think so". In fact, if you examine the current offerings from the likes of Mercedes Benz and BMW, you'll find that it compares rather favorably. When you add in the fact that Audi is world renowned for its All-Wheel-Drive vehicles, I'd say that it is an almost perfect luxury vehicle for those Canadians who can afford it.
 |
| A sumptuous interior for a sumptuous car. |
There used to be a saying amongst Mercedes-Benz owners, that "you purchased the three pointed star on the hood, and they threw the rest of the vehicle in for free". Those days of high-end badge buying could well be numbered, as today's platform sharing world gives more brands access to the prestige marketplace. I'd say "that's a good thing".
***
For more details concerning this vehicle, please refer to the technical specifications and to the standard features list.
If you wish to test-drive or receive a price quotation for this vehicle, you only have to perform a retailer / dealer search in your region.
photo:Kevin Corrigan - Volkswagen
Article Gallery