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Audi's first
premium luxury car, the A8, is elegant without
being gaudy. Its square-shouldered, squat look
speaks of power and speed, yet it does its bragging
quietly, and I liked that.
 Some
folks who plunk down $68,000 for a luxury car don't
want to brag about their wealth, and the A8 lets
them pass among fellow motorists with barely a
glance. That's a benefit.
It also passes
through the wind with barely a ruffle, keeping the
sound to a minimum. This new competitor to
Mercedes-Benz and BMW is not just another German
luxury car. It is a revolutionary vehicle because
it has an aluminum space frame body, side airbags
for rear-seat passengers and is available with
Audi's famous Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Audi
is the luxury division of Volkswagen.
There are two
models, one with front-wheel drive and a 3.7-liter
engine, and the Quattro with a 4.2-liter engine.
The 3.7 has 230 horsepower and prices start at
$56,900. The 4.2 Quattro has 300 horsepower and is
priced at $64,500. Our test car was the 4.2
Quattro, which is the model I would prefer if cost
was not a factor. The 4.2 Quattro not only grips
the road like a cat on Velcro, but it does so in
all kinds of weather, and the added horsepower is
rewarding when you stomp on the throttle. As with
most Audis, you have to push the throttle
convincingly to get maximum performance, but when
you do it responds vigorously. Around town the
five-speed automatic transmission did not shift
down as quickly as I would like, and that prompted
me to leave the lever in fourth, or even third, for
quicker throttle response.
Based on a
seat-of-the-pants impression from daily driving it
seemed slower than either the BMW 540i or
Mercedes-Benz E-420, but that is academic. All
scheduled maintenance for three years or 50,000
miles is free. Its smooth profile is deceptive. Its
113-inch wheelbase and 198.2-inch overall length
are slightly larger than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class,
yet it doesn't look bulky. The 16-inch wheels are a
nice visual counterpoint to the soft, curved shape.
Optional 17-inch wheels would be my personal
choice.
Space
frame
The unique
aluminum space frame concept was developed in
concert with Alcoa to reduce overall vehicle weight
for better performance and fuel economy. It
required 40 patents and 10 years, not to mention
seven new aircraft-grade aluminum alloys. An added
benefit is easier recycling. The load-bearing
structure is similar to an aircraft, according to
Audi, is 40 percent lighter than steel and has
greater rigidity. The outer body panels even resist
dents easier than steel. The lighter weight gives
less heft move around and makes the car feel agile.
An side benefit is that there is no threat of rust.
Heated
wheel
 Inside,
the A8 lives up to its luxury billing. The first
night I drove it I flipped on the heated seat and
immediately noticed that the steering wheel was
warming up, too. While that may seem like a foolish
indulgence, it remains one of my enduring memories
of the A8. The warmth in the steering wheel only
lasts for few minutes and then automatically turns
off, but it is amazing how good it feels on cold
hands. Bravo. The seats are wonderful, although
some may not like their firmness. They fit me like
they were tailor made. Walnut trim is abundant, and
the shift lever is surrounded by aluminum as a
reminder that the car is constructed of it. In the
back seat there is not only plenty of legroom, and
our test car was equipped with the warm weather
package that has retractable window screens built
into each door. Again, a nice touch. Around back,
there is a huge, carpet-lined trunk. With the A8
Audi has moved to challenge established car makers
in the premium class, and it has done so with a
unique vehicle that is agile, light weight and
handsome. The price of the Quattro, however
desirable, seems a bit too high compared to others
in its class.
Price
The base price of
the 4.2-liter Quattro is $64,500. Options included
heated front and rear seats, heated wheel, radio
controls on the steering wheel, a power rear window
shade, rear side window shades, insulated glass and
a solar sunroof to lessen heat gain. The sticker
price was $68,700. The basic warranty is for three
years or 50,000 miles.
Point:
The 4.2-liter Quattro is a revolutionary approach
to a luxury sedan, and it uses an aluminum space
frame construction technique to achieve a solid
structure with light weight. It is slick and
smooth, yet doesn't look flashy, which is great for
staying incognito.
Counterpoint:
The transmission needed a deliberate kick to get it
to downshift around town, and the price is on the
high side.
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Vehicle
Type:
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front-engine,
front-drive, mid-size luxury
sedan
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Base
Price:
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$57,400
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Engine
Type:
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3.7-liter
V8
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Power
(SAE net):
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230-hp
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Transmission:
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five-speed
automatic
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Wheelbase:
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113.0
inches
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Length:
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198.2
inches
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Curb
Weight:
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3682
pounds
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EPA
fuel economy, city driving:
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17
city/26 hwy
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