First Drive and Review: 2011 Audi A8 - VIDEO ENHANCED

By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor

CASARES, Spain - February 12, 2010: What can you do to improve a car in the premium class that basically has it all?

Everytime there is a new model out, be it a Lexus LS 600, a Mercedes S Class or a BMW 7 Series, I am pleasantly surprised. This time, it is about the new generation Audi A8. The new model was unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show in September and premiered again in Miami with a big show. I heard that the event for dealers and media costed Audi $10 million, but I never verified with Audi’s spokesman Josef Schlossmacher. I could have, but then I would probably not get the answer. Anyway, Audi is determined to chase its competitors in the upper class; better still the German car manufacturer is determined to beat both BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the North American market with the all new A8. To do that the 2011 A8 is packed with technology and an interior with top quality materials.

Click PLAY to watch the complete Miami introduction of the A8 hosted by Lucy Liu

Sitting behind the steering wheel immediately makes you aware that Audi wants to get at driver and passengers with a beautiful finish of the fine leather and with a newly finished, natural looking wood veneer details, combined with brushed aluminium. I liked the balao brown Valcona leather with white horizontal piping in the middle of the seats and the two tone white/brown leather dashboard finished with white stitches. Classy, indeed, but it is costing you. In The Netherlands you pay nearly 20,000 euro excluding taxes, although that price also includes many other options such as metallic or pearl exterior paint, comfort seats and a four zone air conditioning.

More sporty
Upon arrival at the Malaga airport, my colleague and I got into the 4.2 V-8 FSI model that will be available after the market introduction of the A8 in Europe.

It doesn't have the exact same engine that we are familiar with, since Audi increased its output by 22 hp to 372 hp and torque by 3 lb-ft 328 lb-ft, It's also teamed to an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Since it was raining cats and dogs, we did not test its sprint capacities, but we believe Audi when they say that the ample 4,000 pound model can do it in 5.7 seconds. Its nice deep sound becomes noticeable when you firmly push the throttle and with the new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission it forms a good combination to its very responsive engine. The power is more than enough to make the A8 a capable travel companion.

The same applies to the 2.8 TDI diesel engine we also tested. Able and willing and more than sufficient power available. The A8 will also get the 4.2-liter V-8 with 350 hp and 590 (!) lb-ft of torque, plus the improved version of the 3-liter TDI diesel with start stop system. Audi says that fuel efficiency has been much improved. For the 4.2 FSI petrol engine fuel efficiency increased by 13 percent, while the 4.2 TDI diesel increased by 19 percent. While driving in the pouring rain, it is good to be aware of the quattro all-wheel drive technology that now sends up to 60 percent of the torque to the rear wheels for a bit more sporty feel.

The standard air suspension is adaptive and has self adjusted damping, integrated into the drive select system with a choice for dynamic, comfort and automatic modes. We had our car in the Dynamic mode for eager response of the throttle and a stiffer set up. The suspension is more forgiving and less bumpy then that of the outgoing A8, while you have an in-control feel and you get enough information from the road. I guess most A8 owners or their drivers will opt for the Comfort mode which is not bad at all.

Click PLAY to watch the A8 preview video

Novelties
Audi comes up with innovative technology in the cabin. Later this year, the MMI Mobile Media Interface navigation system will also be available as MMI Plus. The system is powered by UMT connectivity from Qualcomm and brings 3Gig data to the car providing the car’s passengers Wi-Fi conncetion to the internet.

It also makes it possible to use Google Earth for high resolution 3D satellite images in combination with the navigation system’s maps. We were already shown how it is to see the streets you are driving through in reality. Audi has also integrated Google Earth to provide high-res, 3D satellite and aerial imagery to the navigation system. Nice, but costly. In The Netherlands the price is nearly 5,000 euro exclusive tax.

Another novelty is MMI Touch, a free addition to MMI Plus. This consists of a touchpad in the center console, where you can write letters and numbers with a finger. The voice system of the car confirms what you have written and if you make a mistake, just do as if you scratch through the letter and start again. In the left part of the big 8” monitor the letter or number is also showing.

It is not only easy to use, but also more safe than other systems, since you do not need to take your eyes of the road. On the touchpad you can also choose from six radio stations that are not programmed. Prices for the North American market have not been released yet, but expect them to start just under 100,000 dollar. The 2011 A8 will be available from fall.