The A8 now comes with Audi’s distinctive singleframe grille.By Eric Blair
THE A8 is the flagship model in the Audi range and has been on sale in Australia since mid1995.
The big Audi saloon is an exceptional piece of automotive engineering yet it is clothed in a body that’s elegant rather than adventurous in its styling.
This is in direct contrast to its major competitors, the BMW 7Series and Mercedes SClass, which have both taken adventurous routes in their latest shapes.
Only the future will tell who has got it right.
The trouble with some elegant shapes is that they can look over conservative as the years roll by. In the meantime, noone is going to be upset by the fact that Audi hasn’t gone the slick, sleek look in its latest model.
What is new in the styling of the latest A8, released here in July 2005, is Audi’s big, bold singleframe grille that is progressively being added to all vehicles in the company’s range. It works well and enhances the already strong presence of the car.
The interior of the new A8 is as simple and elegant as its exterior. A variety of materials are offered and all seem to work equally well.
As is to be expected from a company that boasts of advancement through technology, there is a multitude of alloy and other hightech materials on offer. The choice comes down to whether you want pure elegance, an overtly sporty look, or something in between.
The dashboard is wide and remarkably uncluttered in appearance by today’s standards. In its centre is a concealed compartment carrying a popup screen for the satellite navigation, television and driver control systems.
Audi uses what it calls an MMI (multi media interface) that’s relatively simple and intuitive to use. However, there were a couple of times when we became frustrated with it and had to resort to ploughing through a large owner’s handbook.
The A8 now comes with the option of a 6.0litre W12 engine that generates 331 kilowatts and, believe it or not, 580 Newton metres. The engine, which is a joint Audi/Volkswagen project, effectively combines two compact V6 engines into one, hence W12, yet takes up only a similar amount of space to a typical V8.
The W12 engine is only available in the long wheelbase A8L model. Two other V8 engines are offered with capacities of 3.7 and 4.2 litres, the smaller unit available only with the standard wheelbase A8, the 4.2litre with either wheelbase.
Audi Australia has indicated that it may add either or both of its 3.0 and 4.2litre TDI turbo diesel engines at a later date.
The big Audi saloon uses lightweight aluminium in its body, suspension and drivetrain. The combination of low weight, sixspeed automatic transmission and the excellent traction provided by Audi’s quattro permanent fourwheel drive makes it a delightful, very safe, car to drive.
The topline W12 adds adaptive cruise control that automatically adjusts the car’s speed to that of the vehicle in front.
Rear seat passengers have individual businessclass type seats that can be electrically reclined and come with builtin massage units as well as their own air conditioned zone.MODEL RANGE
A8 3.7litre V8 quattro tiptronic fourdoor sedan $169,950
A8 4.2litre V8 quattro tiptronic fourdoor sedan $202,000
A8L 4.2litre V8 quattro tiptronic fourdoor sedan $217,100
A8L 6.0litre W12 quattro tiptronic fourdoor sedan $325,000
