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If you're in the market for a big luxury exec, chances are that Audi's aluminium-bodied A8 barely features as a blip on the radar screen. Which is a shame as arguably, you won't find a better looking car. There's no flashiness or glitz to the A8, just a reassuring solidity and a classy, understated handsomeness that exudes effortless cool.
The car is described by perfectly balanced lines, no discordant curves or surfaces in sight. There's little excess to the shape, no wasted motion of the designer's pen, or computer mouse as the case may be. In the flesh, the A8 looks genuinely like it's been hewn from a solid lump of metal.
What's more, all of this hasn't really been affected by the recent facelift, which saw the car gain the somewhat controversial new corporate nose. In fact, the A8 seems to wear the "single-frame" grille better than other models in the Audi range.
The car shown here is the new entry-level front wheel drive model, and it packs a 3.2-litre V6. This new engine features direct injection technology and makes 260bhp, 40bhp more than the old 3.0-litre unit. More importantly, it develops 330Nm of torque, 90 percent of which is available from as little as 2,400rpm so there's no shortage of overtaking grunt.
The interior has remained pretty much unchanged, excepting for new steering wheel options. Which is no bad thing as the A8's cabin is still the best luxury car interior in this price range.
For starters, the dashboard is gorgeous, and bits like the climate control system are just as good-looking. In fact, every control is perfectly, expensively damped and build quality is impeccable. That said, the side window blinds in the rear do feel a bit low rent, and raising or lowering them (a manual operation) can be a bit of a chore. Space isn't at all a problem, especially in this long-wheelbase model. In fact there's so much of it that an intercom for front and rear passengers to hold a decent conversation almost seems necessary.
Equipment levels are reasonably high. You get Audi's Multi Media Interface as standard, keyless entry, and an awesome Bose sound system. No Xenon headlamps, though.
The new engine comes mated with Audi's generally excellent Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT. Step off can be a little hesitant but once you?re on the move the CVT is as smooth and responsive as you could want. Manual override is effected via the gearlever or small, very tactile paddles behind the steering wheel.
It doesn't feel quick, but this is very deceptive as the A8 builds speed in a characteristically subtle fashion. The rumble from the engine never really rises above a muted, metallic growl, even under full bore acceleration, and the same goes for wind and road noise, so there are few cues to make you realise how fast you're actually going.
The A8's adaptive air suspension comes with a variety of settings, and you can twiddle between them all you like but the ride never gets really close to being properly cosseting. There's a nuggety layer of information about the road surface that you can?t filter out, and you feel it almost constantly through the rim of the steering wheel and your bum.
While this trait isn't violently distracting, it is surprising, especially considering the car's 17-inch alloys and comfort-oriented rubber. To do justice to the A8's great looks, you really need 19-inch alloys, but the trade-off, no doubt, would be an even busier ride.
Up the speed to expressway velocities, however, and the ride smoothens out nicely, with only a little wind noise intruding into the otherwise silent cabin.
In the corners the big Audi just about copes, but even mild tomfoolery is only barely tolerated. The variable rate steering isn't as quick as you'd want for enthusiastic driving, and anyway the rest of the car is far too dignified for that sort of behaviour. Best reserve that for the slightly anarchic V10-powered S8 instead.
Model: Audi A8L 3.2 FSI
Engine: 3,123cc, 24v V6
Max Power: 260bhp at 6,500rpm
Max Torque: 330Nm at 3,250rpm
Gearbox: CVT
Top Speed: 250km/h
0-100 km/h: 7.9 seconds
Price: $299,000 with COE
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km
Contact Premium Automobiles at 6566-1111
PLUSES
Great looks, beautiful interior, fantastic sound system
MINUSES
Low speed ride a bit busy, woolly handling
VERDICT
Stunning to look at and sit in, but not to drive
SIMILAR CARS WE HAVE DRIVEN
Mercedes-Benz S 350 (A) $328,888 with COE
A technological tour-de-force, but you only benefit if you're generous with the options list
The car is described by perfectly balanced lines, no discordant curves or surfaces in sight. There's little excess to the shape, no wasted motion of the designer's pen, or computer mouse as the case may be. In the flesh, the A8 looks genuinely like it's been hewn from a solid lump of metal.
What's more, all of this hasn't really been affected by the recent facelift, which saw the car gain the somewhat controversial new corporate nose. In fact, the A8 seems to wear the "single-frame" grille better than other models in the Audi range.
The car shown here is the new entry-level front wheel drive model, and it packs a 3.2-litre V6. This new engine features direct injection technology and makes 260bhp, 40bhp more than the old 3.0-litre unit. More importantly, it develops 330Nm of torque, 90 percent of which is available from as little as 2,400rpm so there's no shortage of overtaking grunt.
The interior has remained pretty much unchanged, excepting for new steering wheel options. Which is no bad thing as the A8's cabin is still the best luxury car interior in this price range.
For starters, the dashboard is gorgeous, and bits like the climate control system are just as good-looking. In fact, every control is perfectly, expensively damped and build quality is impeccable. That said, the side window blinds in the rear do feel a bit low rent, and raising or lowering them (a manual operation) can be a bit of a chore. Space isn't at all a problem, especially in this long-wheelbase model. In fact there's so much of it that an intercom for front and rear passengers to hold a decent conversation almost seems necessary.
Equipment levels are reasonably high. You get Audi's Multi Media Interface as standard, keyless entry, and an awesome Bose sound system. No Xenon headlamps, though.
The new engine comes mated with Audi's generally excellent Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT. Step off can be a little hesitant but once you?re on the move the CVT is as smooth and responsive as you could want. Manual override is effected via the gearlever or small, very tactile paddles behind the steering wheel.
It doesn't feel quick, but this is very deceptive as the A8 builds speed in a characteristically subtle fashion. The rumble from the engine never really rises above a muted, metallic growl, even under full bore acceleration, and the same goes for wind and road noise, so there are few cues to make you realise how fast you're actually going.
The A8's adaptive air suspension comes with a variety of settings, and you can twiddle between them all you like but the ride never gets really close to being properly cosseting. There's a nuggety layer of information about the road surface that you can?t filter out, and you feel it almost constantly through the rim of the steering wheel and your bum.
While this trait isn't violently distracting, it is surprising, especially considering the car's 17-inch alloys and comfort-oriented rubber. To do justice to the A8's great looks, you really need 19-inch alloys, but the trade-off, no doubt, would be an even busier ride.
Up the speed to expressway velocities, however, and the ride smoothens out nicely, with only a little wind noise intruding into the otherwise silent cabin.
In the corners the big Audi just about copes, but even mild tomfoolery is only barely tolerated. The variable rate steering isn't as quick as you'd want for enthusiastic driving, and anyway the rest of the car is far too dignified for that sort of behaviour. Best reserve that for the slightly anarchic V10-powered S8 instead.
NEED TO KNOW
Model: Audi A8L 3.2 FSIEngine: 3,123cc, 24v V6
Max Power: 260bhp at 6,500rpm
Max Torque: 330Nm at 3,250rpm
Gearbox: CVT
Top Speed: 250km/h
0-100 km/h: 7.9 seconds
Price: $299,000 with COE
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km
Contact Premium Automobiles at 6566-1111
PLUSES
Great looks, beautiful interior, fantastic sound systemMINUSES
Low speed ride a bit busy, woolly handling VERDICT
Stunning to look at and sit in, but not to driveSIMILAR CARS WE HAVE DRIVEN
Mercedes-Benz S 350 (A) $328,888 with COEA technological tour-de-force, but you only benefit if you're generous with the options list
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