Audi A8 Review
June 4, 2008
Forbesautos - The Audi A8 is a high-speed cruise missile that is most at home covering long stretches of road. It is a big and fast sedan that provides confidence-inspiring handling even in adverse conditions. It also coddles occupants with myriad top-shelf luxury features.
The Audi A8 comes in both standard- and long-wheelbase versions. The latter, called “A8L,” has an extra five inches between the wheels for more interior room. The long-wheelbase variant can be equipped with a 12-cylinder engine, called “W12” for the way it fuses two V6 engines.
Both engines in the Audi A8 come mated to a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission that can be taken through the gears like a manual. This gearbox includes Audi’s Dynamic Shift Program, which automatically matches a motorist’s driving style to more than 200 pre-programmed shift patterns.
A light yet strong aluminum chassis combines with Servotronic speed-dependent power steering and an adaptive air suspension to give the Audi A8 capable handling characteristics and a smooth ride. The air suspension regulates the vehicle’s ride height and suspension dynamics according to four modes that provide varying degrees of comfort and sportiness.
The Audi A8 comes standard with quattro all-wheel drive. The system distributes power among all four wheels to afford both excellent dry-road handling and added traction when the weather turns ugly.
Standard features in the Audi A8 include adaptive headlamps that can help illuminate the road through curves at night; rain-sensing windshield wipers; and a Bluetooth hands-free cell phone interface that includes voice recognition. Voice recognition can also be used to operate the stereo system and navigation.
Safety features include Audi’s Anti-Slip Regulation and Electronic Stability Program, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution.
Inside, the Audi A8 is richly trimmed in aluminum, leather and wood, and makes front- and rear-seat comfort a priority. In long-wheelbase A8L models, those in the back enjoy limo-like legroom. Backseat passengers in the W12 A8L are treated to a dual-screen video entertainment system with a six-disc DVD changer.
Audi’s Multi Media Interface incorporates navigation, audio, climate control and other functions into one unit that is operated by a joystick-like knob. While it’s easier to use than BMW’s iDrive system, it’s still more distracting than traditional knobs and buttons.
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