Test Drive Audi A8 D3 2003 - 2005 Sedan

Ordered to squeeze ...

450 forces from 12 cylinders Audi A8
Aviation hangar from steel and glass emits blue radiance. Inside the rare models of pre-war horch, brutal type of turboprop aircraft of the 1950s and a modern fighter Against the background of such decorations at the Austrian Salzburg airport, AUDI A8 6.0 Long Quattro was held, which is the sound title of the most powerful in the history sedan with a drive for all wheels.
The current generation of A8 many car journalists and competitors criticize for excessive external similarities with younger in rank models A6 and A4. Of course, we can talk about the continuity and recognition of the model range, but far from any owner of representative limousines will like if his car is confused with a much more democratic model. Apparently, it felt this discontent and in the Cerebral Center of Audi. Thanks to only one detail, the top modification A8 has become recognizable and distinctive. The front A8 6.0 Quattro now corresponds to the new Designer Audi concept, the essence of which the company has demonstrated on the promising models of the future Nuvolari and Pikes Peak. Its central element is a single radiator grille, the outer contour of which is framed by a chrome-plated trapezium. Such a solution resembles the design of the front of Chrysler cars, but at the same time A8 does not look heavy.
Two w12 nameds appeared on the trunk lid and on the Fish-grille of the radiator A8. This modest abbreviation suggests that a 12-cylinder engine is placed under the hood of the car. It is able to overclock A8 to 100 km / h in 5.2 s. In order to achieve the maximum speed of 250 km / h, 450-strong A8 will need only 30 s. But it also affects not the starting line of the car, and its ability to speed up the move from high speeds. More than 95% of the engine torque is available in the range of 2300 5300 rpm. Such elasticity of the motor provides stunning speakers in any speed range.
Speedometer arrow at a mark of 150 km / h. I sharply click on the gas pedal, and I literally pressed into the back of the chair. Trees on the side of the road merge into a solid wall, passing cars as if stopped, they are not visible at all. I flock into the cloud, it's time to slow down. The autobahn is laid in the mountains, there is a sleet, visibility is no more than a kilometer. In such conditions, it is not possible to enjoy the flight on the high-speed highway. But even a short acceleration showed how confidently A8 holds straight. Well, check how this car is turns into turns, for which we will turn to the winding mountain paths
Under the wheels, risen snow and ice. Rubber winter, but not studded (in Austria, as in other countries of Western Europe, the use of thorns is prohibited). It is enough to overdo it with the speed of entering the turn, and A8 begins to slide smoothly. Relief of gas, light steering steering, and in the same moment, the system of stabilization of course stability is triggered. The robes of a second, the back of the car continues to slide to the outer edge, and the front wheels are already moving along the trajectories given by the driver. The electronic stabilization system deals independently A8. Everything's under control. It seems that we started in turning not a car, but a boat. It happens not quickly and tensely, but smoothly and predictably and no fear. Probably, the 12-cylinder all-wheel drive limousines should behave in turns.
The concept of permanent full actuator AUDI A8 6.0 Long Quattro is a classic genre. The inter-axis self-locking differential Torsen under normal conditions distributes the torque between the axes in proportion 50/50, smoothly changing this ratio to the indicators 75/25 or 25/75, depending on the road situation. An EDL electronic system that slows down the bouquet wheels will help implement these 75%, even if the clutch with an expensive has only one wheel.
Your Word, Comrade Navigator
And what sensations at the time of active turns are the passenger in the backseat? I think he is ready to transfer himself behind the wheel to avoid symptoms of marine disease. An extended version of A8 combines two characteristics, among themselves, incompatible: sportiness and representativeness. This car provokes the driver to go fast, and not only in a straight line. However, if you go actively, especially in turns, the vestibular apparatus of the passenger begins to experience quite serious loads. Hence the conclusion: if you prefer that you have a hired driver on weekdays, it is better to take a melancholic to work. But if you get tired of the measured ride, you can always have the network itself behind the wheel and get a good portion of adrenaline.
The variety of car is emphasized by the work of the adaptive air suspension (it is included in the basic configuration of the AUDI A8 6.0 Long), created in conjunction with CONTITEves. It has four main functional modes: automatic, in which the clearance varies from 120 mm at average speed of motion up to 95 mm when overclocking up to 120 km / h and higher; Dynamic, increasing suspension stiffness, and basic clearance reduction to 100 mm; Comfort with soft settings; Lift In this case, the suspension is inflated, increasing the road clearance up to 145 mm. All modes The driver can choose through the movement, using the MMI system interface (analogue of the BEEMVEY IDRIVE system).
In fact, choose where to sit behind the wheel of A8 or in a luxurious chair behind, it's not easy. The concept of limousity of the recent past limited the driver in the amenities and assumed luxurious places for passengers. However, behind the wheel A8 you do not feel something deprived. Against. I think the passengers of this car will experience a leaned desire to be driving. Perhaps someone remembers such a feeling: you fly on the plane, sit in the front ranks of the cabin, the door to the cockpit opens, and you see the captain behind the helm, and in front of him a blue transparent sky
Before the driver A8, the expressive scale of the devices. Speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature pointer and fuel levels, as it were stubborn in wells with silver framing. In the center of the information display. The four-speech steering wheel is ideal for an active and accurate ride style. For its rim there are petals with which you can control the automatic transmission in manual mode: the right petal is responsible for increasing transmissions, left for downgraders. In the middle of the torpedo of the liquid crystal screen. One of the electronic wonders of the car is a dactyloscopic driver identification system. Audi identifies fingerprint owner. Upon learning of the owner, the car will not only allow you to start the engine, but also adjust the seat, mirrors accordingly, the audio system. Another exclusive innovation adaptive headlamp headlights that allow you to look around the angle when you turn.
Passengers on the rear seats are surrounded by a luxury atmosphere. Here in all the verified style. To their service seats with all imaginable adjustments and built-in massage system. In the armrest, the phone with fax, instead of the central head restraint mini-bar. Climate control works in the back of the cabin in two zones. The quality of the materials and the interior decoration can be called perfect. A particularly impressive salon looks in light cream execution.
If you evaluate the Audi A8 6.0 Quattro on the price parameter, then you begin to understand anything. So, because of the heavy snowfall, the flight Moscow Vienna was detained, and a group of Russian automotive journalists was late for a plane from Vienna to Salzburg. In order not to delay the ceremony, two reactive aircases of Porsche Airlines ordered for the press. The flight from Vienna to Salzburg took about 20 minutes to the presentation we managed on time. But, as it turned out from a conversation with pilots, renting each of the Jets cost Audi at least 25,000 euros. Wood? No, cold calculation. In Russia, the top version of the A8 in the basic configuration will cost $ 164,000. So the costs of Jeta for journalists Audi will pay off in any case. In the Moscow office, Audi hopes to sell about 200 A8 in the domestic market every year in the top configuration. For comparison: in the US, it is planned to be implemented annually to 1200 AUDI A8 6.0.
Igor Komarov
 

A source: Wheel (Company)