Being a passenger on board the A8 is nearly as satisfying as being behind the wheel. The front seats are 16-way power adjustable and are available with optional ventilation and massage. The rear bench offers much support and comfort as well. Every extremity of the body is treated to plenty of room. The cargo area is cavernous and also beautifully finished.
Hear that V8 roar
Once again, the A8 impresses by giving off the illusion of being much smaller in size than it actually is. The nimble lightweight aluminum chassis fools the senses by proving to be extremely respo
nsive. The recently tested A6 did not feel as light as the A8 does. The Servotronic speed-sensitive power assisted steering is communicative, more so than that of the Q7. I noted that the SUV's steering felt very isolated and disconnected. I was therefore very surprised when I realised that the A8 transmitted a large amount of information to the driver. The 4.2L V8 is a force to reckon with. At the moment, its 335 hp are more than sufficient to serve a serious correction to most other sport sedans on the road. As of next year, it will be delivered with FSI (direct injection) technology and should be good for at least 350 hp. The A8's massive 4-wheel vented discs provide serious fade-free stopping power that makes the driver feel very much in control. Even though the car weighs nearly 2,000 kg, when the hammer goes down, the Quattro AWD system and the 6-speed Tiptronic gearbox combine to catapult the A8 from not to 100 km/h in a tick over 6 seconds. Average fuel consumption over 1,000 km was of 14,5 L/100 km.
The adaptive air suspension bestows real-world comfort and a sporty edge to the big sedan. Of the three modes (standard, automatic and dynamic), the basic standard setting is the most comfortable whether cruising in the city or on the highway. In the dynamic position, the A8 thrives for a smooth high-speed road to conquer.
The luxury flagship?
At the moment, it is very hard to argue against the A8. In the $100,000 car club, the Audi faces off against heavy hitters such as the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The near future reserves a week-long test with an S 550. So, far I have driven the 745i and 750i and I have come to the conclusion that the Audi is more of a driver's ultra-luxury car than the BMW. Where the 7-Series feels bloated and extra-large, the A8 is lithe and eager to please. If you are in the market for one of these cars and prefer to driver instead of being driven, the A8 is the one for you. I certainly found nothing "rubbish" about it.
Good stuff:
Build quality
Fabulous chassis
Seats
Not so good stuff:
I have not yet found anything...
Competitors:
Mercedes S-Class
BMW 7-Series
Infiniti Q45
Lexus LS 430 (2007 LS 460)
Cadillac STS-V8
Hear that V8 roar
Once again, the A8 impresses by giving off the illusion of being much smaller in size than it actually is. The nimble lightweight aluminum chassis fools the senses by proving to be extremely respo
nsive. The recently tested A6 did not feel as light as the A8 does. The Servotronic speed-sensitive power assisted steering is communicative, more so than that of the Q7. I noted that the SUV's steering felt very isolated and disconnected. I was therefore very surprised when I realised that the A8 transmitted a large amount of information to the driver. The 4.2L V8 is a force to reckon with. At the moment, its 335 hp are more than sufficient to serve a serious correction to most other sport sedans on the road. As of next year, it will be delivered with FSI (direct injection) technology and should be good for at least 350 hp. The A8's massive 4-wheel vented discs provide serious fade-free stopping power that makes the driver feel very much in control. Even though the car weighs nearly 2,000 kg, when the hammer goes down, the Quattro AWD system and the 6-speed Tiptronic gearbox combine to catapult the A8 from not to 100 km/h in a tick over 6 seconds. Average fuel consumption over 1,000 km was of 14,5 L/100 km.The adaptive air suspension bestows real-world comfort and a sporty edge to the big sedan. Of the three modes (standard, automatic and dynamic), the basic standard setting is the most comfortable whether cruising in the city or on the highway. In the dynamic position, the A8 thrives for a smooth high-speed road to conquer.
The luxury flagship?
 |
Good stuff:
Build quality
Fabulous chassis
Seats
Not so good stuff:
I have not yet found anything...
Competitors:
Mercedes S-Class
BMW 7-Series
Infiniti Q45
Lexus LS 430 (2007 LS 460)
Cadillac STS-V8
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