Audi A8

The Audi A8 is a large saloon. Has a range of engines from 209 hp to 450 hp, two diesel and five petrol, all coupled to an automatic gearbox.

Two body that are distinguished by their length: the normal (5,062 mm) and a long (5,192 mm). These two body has a price difference of € 7,000, but includes an elongated larger equipment (comparative form of the body in two 3.2 FSI). Both are available with all engines except the less powerful, the 2.8 FSI, which is only available with normal body size, this is the one we tested in detail.

It is a good car for traveling because it's comfortable and, if the version we tested, the dynamic qualities are satisfactory. A Lexus LS cars can be recommended for travel because it is quieter and more comfortable suspension. What we liked least the A8 we tested is that the highway expansion joints and other irregularities were clearly noticeable in the interior, this is true at least for the A8 2.8. Roads in slow, is agile for his size.

A8 prices are between € 67,740 and € 136,620. Based on the version 4.2 FSI, the A8 is a little more than the Lexus LS 460 Premium and considerably less than a BMW 750i or a Mercedes-Benz S 500. But if they have the equipment as standard (comparative tab), its price is much higher than the next to the Lexus and BMW.

The A8 has an extensive list of optional equipment, with high cost items. These include: ceramic brakes (approximately € 10,000); fridge for up to two 1 liter bottles and two glasses (about € 2,500), two rear screens, DVD player with remote control and 2 sets of headphones (6,205 € the 2.8 FSI), sound system with 14 Bang & Olufsen speakers (7,330 € in the 2.8 FSI), or a package that includes leather across the dashboard to the console and doors (depending on skin type has a price up to 26,035 €).

There are seven available engines. The petrol versions are: 2.8 FSI (209 hp) 3.2 FSI (260 hp) 4.2 FSI (350 hp), S8 5.2 FSI V10 (450 hp; inform him in this other article) and 6.0 (450 hp). Diesels are the 3.0 TDI (233 hp) and 4.2 TDI (326 hp).

The front-wheel drive is 2.8 FSI, 3.2 FSI front and the total (quattro) and others always have traction total. The drawbar has a full automatic hydraulic torque converter and six-speed, called 'Tiptronic' of the front-wheel drive is an automatic continuously variable called "Multitronic.

Gearbox 'Multitronic', besides the operational drive (where there is no fixed relationship between the speed of the car and the engine speed), can be operated with seven fixed relations, which functionally equivalent to a change of gears that can be selected manually.

A8 lower price and more economical consumption is 2.8 FSI. The price difference between this version and the next two (by price and power, the 3.2 FSI or 3.0 TDI) is just over six thousand euros (comparative tab).

For the good relationship between performance and consumption, and for this price difference, the 2.8 FSI seems like a very interesting option because its benefits are sufficient for normal use and that is clearly smoother and quieter that the Diesel. The 3.0 TDI is set to pull out; this is only an advantage if the adhesion is very low under normal conditions is not.

The model most similar in size and power is the Chrysler 300C 2.7 V6 (193 hp). The following are the Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 (238 hp) and the Volkswagen Phaeton 3.2 V6 (241 hp). All three have a much higher consumption of the Audi, and none of them is faster (comparative tab).

The 4.2 TDI version is distinguished by a strong push and give a great sense of progress without effort. Road is smooth and quiet, in town or when driving slowly there is clearly a Diesel and a sound vibrations are felt as tingling in the soil and even in the car seat.

In 2007, with the introduction of the range 2008, Audi added to the range version with the 2.8 FSI petrol engine, made some corrections and updated mechanical equipment, mainly in security features.

External changes in relation to the previous A8 were functional and equipment. Pilots diodes combined with the decor and the advantages of this technique in relation to the pilot bulb. The versions with six-cylinder engine is the radiator grille black. Those eight-cylinder engine with horizontal sheets of the chrome grille (image). Twelve cylinders have chrome vertical blades (image).

Inside, there were no functional changes, but new combinations of color for the upholstery and dashboard of the auction and doors.

In the safety equipment there are two elements that could not take the A8 to the 2008 range, the lane-changing assistant (such as the Q7) and the alert involuntary change lanes. The lane-change assistant has a radar that detects if another vehicle is approaching on a parallel lane (more information). The alert involuntary lane controlled by a visible light camera if the car is going to leave the lane