More positive press for the new A8
05-16-2003, 05:47 AM
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More positive press for the new A8
From Canada.....
© 2003 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Audi arrives in style
Richly appointed, all-aluminum A8 L sidesteps weight penalties
By Joe Knycha
Thursday, May 15, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For longer than it likely cares to admit, Audi has peered with nose pressed wistfully to the glass into the exclusive 'Tier 1' salon, populated by the likes of BMW, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes.
From the Tier 2 sidewalk, which by its admission is shared with Acura, Saab, Volvo and others, Audi has dreamed of moving up, of being a high roller in the most exclusive and envied of automotive categories.
With the second-generation A8 L (for long-wheelbase), Audi comes elegantly in from the cold to bask in the admiration of its peers and to endure with studied indifference the steely stares of those who previously would have looked down on it.
In making its latest move upmarket, the German automaker has masterfully set a new benchmark among the well-heeled, luxo limo crowd, trumping them at their own game.
The new flagship A8 L is remarkably smooth and sophisticated, powerful and refined. It offers a multitude of creature comforts to driver and passengers ensconced in vault-like security, features innovative technologies and offers ride and handling that belie its size.
The original A8 was a learning experience that proved Audi's mettle in the full-on luxury segment. For many buyers, the A8 was the 'it' car in the class, with all-aluminum construction, V8 performance, quattro permanent all-wheel drive, lithe handling and copious luxury appointments. Subdued styling and a perhaps too-tight interior, coupled with a lack of promotion, relegated it to second-consideration status for those unaware of alternatives to the Big Four.
That's all about to change, however, as the new A8 L offers more of everything in an attractive, aggressively-styled package with commendably competitive pricing. What's more, the firm's 'Never follow' tag line has been taken to heart by the advertising department: The A8 L will be heralded into the market with a promotional campaign the likes of which has never before been seen.
Audi has found a way to "hydroform" aluminum, ostensibly by bending extrusions under extreme water pressure, though how it achieved this remains something of a closely guarded secret. The process allows for larger panels, castings and profiles (with 17 per cent fewer parts) requiring fewer welds and resulting in a space frame that is a claimed 60 per cent stiffer, yet 41 per cent lighter than a comparable steel unit.
The added rigidity improves dynamic ride qualities, further reduces vibration and improves crashworthiness.
Building a lightweight luxury car was not the aim of aluminum construction, however, and the A8 L remains heavy by most standards, tipping the scales at 1995 kg (4,399 lb) - 110 kg more than its predecessor.
What aluminum achieves beyond strength, said Ken Davis, A8 project manager for Audi of America, "is it allows us to equip the car much more richly without paying a weight penalty." At almost 17 feet (5.2 metres) in length, the A8 L weighs 30 kg less than the BMW 745Li, but 5 kg more than the Mercedes SL500 4MATIC and 200 kg more than the Lexus LS 430, which offers neither a stretched version nor all-wheel drive.
Innovation extends beyond the aluminum space frame and quattro drive, to include an all-aluminum air spring suspension with 4-setting adaptive shock absorber control and 4-zone automatic climate control with draft-free indirect heating and ventilation. Luxury appointments go so far as to include power height-adjustable front seatbelts, and the Bose surround-sound, 12-speaker audio system must be heard to be believed.
The driver faces a cleanly designed dash free from the usual array of buttons and switches, due in large measure to Audi's centralized multi-media interface (MMI), similar to but more simple to use and intuitive than other competitors' systems. The in-dash navigation system, which can be read either from a slide-up screen at the top of the centre stack or in an abbreviated screen within the instrument cluster, is fully mapped for all of Canada.
Leather clad seats are infinitely power adjustable and rear seat passengers - even those of extraordinary height and leg length - can stretch out comfortably. Front dual-stage airbags are augmented front and rear with side and head bags, while knee protection for front seat occupants bring the number of airbags to 10. Trunk space is huge at 500 litres (17.7 sq-ft) with a large, deep, flat floor.
At the heart of it all, the 4.2-litre V8 engine makes 330 hp at 6,500 rpm (20 more than last year) and 317 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 revs (up 15), with a tuned range of muted exhaust notes that can be enjoyed from within the cabin. Power is distributed to all four wheels via a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission with Audi's manual sequential-shift 'Tiptronic' feature.
Despite its size and weight, the A8 L hustles smoothly down the road - zero to 100 km/h is reached in a more-than-respectable 6.3 seconds - and negotiates twisty bits with balance and precision. Body lean is minimal, even on the softest suspension settings, and never harsh even on the stiffest. Steering is light, direct and accurate, without being over-assisted.
Braking is hugely effective and unruffled, even in panic stops, due to platter-sized ventilated discs at each wheel, with anti-lock and electronic stability added for good measure.
Available in June for $97,750 before options and destination charges, Audi forecasts 300 sales per year in Canada.
As the Tier 1's newest player, the A8 L brings luxury and performance in a refreshingly upstart package.
Immediate competition:
BMW 745Li, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS 430, Mercedes Benz SL 500 4MATIC
© 2003 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Audi arrives in style
Richly appointed, all-aluminum A8 L sidesteps weight penalties
By Joe Knycha
Thursday, May 15, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For longer than it likely cares to admit, Audi has peered with nose pressed wistfully to the glass into the exclusive 'Tier 1' salon, populated by the likes of BMW, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes.
From the Tier 2 sidewalk, which by its admission is shared with Acura, Saab, Volvo and others, Audi has dreamed of moving up, of being a high roller in the most exclusive and envied of automotive categories.
With the second-generation A8 L (for long-wheelbase), Audi comes elegantly in from the cold to bask in the admiration of its peers and to endure with studied indifference the steely stares of those who previously would have looked down on it.
In making its latest move upmarket, the German automaker has masterfully set a new benchmark among the well-heeled, luxo limo crowd, trumping them at their own game.
The new flagship A8 L is remarkably smooth and sophisticated, powerful and refined. It offers a multitude of creature comforts to driver and passengers ensconced in vault-like security, features innovative technologies and offers ride and handling that belie its size.
The original A8 was a learning experience that proved Audi's mettle in the full-on luxury segment. For many buyers, the A8 was the 'it' car in the class, with all-aluminum construction, V8 performance, quattro permanent all-wheel drive, lithe handling and copious luxury appointments. Subdued styling and a perhaps too-tight interior, coupled with a lack of promotion, relegated it to second-consideration status for those unaware of alternatives to the Big Four.
That's all about to change, however, as the new A8 L offers more of everything in an attractive, aggressively-styled package with commendably competitive pricing. What's more, the firm's 'Never follow' tag line has been taken to heart by the advertising department: The A8 L will be heralded into the market with a promotional campaign the likes of which has never before been seen.
Audi has found a way to "hydroform" aluminum, ostensibly by bending extrusions under extreme water pressure, though how it achieved this remains something of a closely guarded secret. The process allows for larger panels, castings and profiles (with 17 per cent fewer parts) requiring fewer welds and resulting in a space frame that is a claimed 60 per cent stiffer, yet 41 per cent lighter than a comparable steel unit.
The added rigidity improves dynamic ride qualities, further reduces vibration and improves crashworthiness.
Building a lightweight luxury car was not the aim of aluminum construction, however, and the A8 L remains heavy by most standards, tipping the scales at 1995 kg (4,399 lb) - 110 kg more than its predecessor.
What aluminum achieves beyond strength, said Ken Davis, A8 project manager for Audi of America, "is it allows us to equip the car much more richly without paying a weight penalty." At almost 17 feet (5.2 metres) in length, the A8 L weighs 30 kg less than the BMW 745Li, but 5 kg more than the Mercedes SL500 4MATIC and 200 kg more than the Lexus LS 430, which offers neither a stretched version nor all-wheel drive.
Innovation extends beyond the aluminum space frame and quattro drive, to include an all-aluminum air spring suspension with 4-setting adaptive shock absorber control and 4-zone automatic climate control with draft-free indirect heating and ventilation. Luxury appointments go so far as to include power height-adjustable front seatbelts, and the Bose surround-sound, 12-speaker audio system must be heard to be believed.
The driver faces a cleanly designed dash free from the usual array of buttons and switches, due in large measure to Audi's centralized multi-media interface (MMI), similar to but more simple to use and intuitive than other competitors' systems. The in-dash navigation system, which can be read either from a slide-up screen at the top of the centre stack or in an abbreviated screen within the instrument cluster, is fully mapped for all of Canada.
Leather clad seats are infinitely power adjustable and rear seat passengers - even those of extraordinary height and leg length - can stretch out comfortably. Front dual-stage airbags are augmented front and rear with side and head bags, while knee protection for front seat occupants bring the number of airbags to 10. Trunk space is huge at 500 litres (17.7 sq-ft) with a large, deep, flat floor.
At the heart of it all, the 4.2-litre V8 engine makes 330 hp at 6,500 rpm (20 more than last year) and 317 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 revs (up 15), with a tuned range of muted exhaust notes that can be enjoyed from within the cabin. Power is distributed to all four wheels via a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission with Audi's manual sequential-shift 'Tiptronic' feature.
Despite its size and weight, the A8 L hustles smoothly down the road - zero to 100 km/h is reached in a more-than-respectable 6.3 seconds - and negotiates twisty bits with balance and precision. Body lean is minimal, even on the softest suspension settings, and never harsh even on the stiffest. Steering is light, direct and accurate, without being over-assisted.
Braking is hugely effective and unruffled, even in panic stops, due to platter-sized ventilated discs at each wheel, with anti-lock and electronic stability added for good measure.
Available in June for $97,750 before options and destination charges, Audi forecasts 300 sales per year in Canada.
As the Tier 1's newest player, the A8 L brings luxury and performance in a refreshingly upstart package.
Immediate competition:
BMW 745Li, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS 430, Mercedes Benz SL 500 4MATIC
05-16-2003, 05:54 AM
#2
Nice review.
But I can't imagine why the article would be datelined in Louisville. It's a nice town, I lived near there (Fort Knox) for a while growing up, but it just strikes me as an odd place for an A8 review to originate.
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