Test drive Audi A8 D3 2003 - 2005 sedan

Club "12 cylinders"

Each weather is grace?
Yesterday there was the sun, for tomorrow they also promise, and today the low gray clouds firmly hooked on the Alps and sow snow in half with water. Heavy wet cotton wool lies on lawns and roofs, asphalt is covered with squelching mess, under which a crust of ice is peering. Well, is it not a pig? Just some kind of mockery of fate! After all, it is today to evaluate the qualities of the new flagship of the Audi of the twelve -cylinder A8 6.0 Quattro. Four hundred and fifty horses, the first hundred in five seconds, two in seventeen, the maximum speed is forcibly limited to 250 km/h! Yes, such a plane will even grind such dry asphalt, but what to do on ice? ..
The thin rim of rubber drowned in the snow seems to be only on the giant nineteen -inch wheels, and the enormous pancakes of the brake discs are peeping through the knitting needles. If you do not peer into the details, the top-end eight is almost no different from more modest versions with V8 engines. Another thing is in front: a luxurious chrome-based trapping in the style of racing Auto Unions of the 30s to see a mile away, especially impressive it will look in the rearview mirror. The serious size of the false radiator transparently hint at the volume of the motor, they need to breathe! Another innovation of the world's first LED daily headlights.
The edging of the emblem in the form of a trapezoid instead of the previous ring appeared and perfectly on the hub of the steering wheel, a single style is evident. And with the quality of the finish, order: beige and brown skin, light or dark tree, shine of chromium modest such charm of luxury. I’m trying to adjust the chair and just get down from the account: there are servo drives of the headrest and seat belt, a advanced knee roller, a breakdown back, built -in heating, ventilation and massage, four adjustment memory. What is there, a mirror on the back of a solar visor and that is dual -mode: under the upper flat and increasing cosmetic! While I got settled in the cabin, he warmed up, I feel like life, life is getting better.
The forces of inertia and a dozen in square
Do you know what I did not like in the new Audi? The fact that, having won a complete victory over noise and vibrations, the designers could not abolish the forces of inertia. They are especially noticeable at the start: the deaf dull of the motor is barely audible through two -layer glazing, there is no tension, a squeak of rubber, nothing violates the atmosphere of relaxing comfort, but the neck muscles suddenly strain, trying to resist the unknown strength that throws back his head.
An amazing dynamics of a two -ton car is given by a modernized W12 motor. Compared to what was installed on the previous A8, he added three dozen horses and the same number of Newton's meters: now the engine gives out six liters of 450 liters. With. and 580 N.M. Recall that the engine is characterized by a non-standard configuration and is, in fact, from two VR6 blocks (the collapse angle in such a block is only 15), located at an angle of 72. The double-WE turned out to be very compact only 513 mm in length, like a regular V8! For the same considerations, the drive of the gas distribution mechanism (with adjustable phases and intake and exhaust valves) was placed on the rear end of the engine.
It is a pity, of course, that the weather was not lucky, but in such conditions, the advantages of the Quattro version are really manifested by six-liter eights release only with constant all-wheel drive and an enchanting differential of increased friction of the torsen. Try to find the limit of the possibilities of such a machine for kamikaze; The sense of self -preservation is triggered much earlier than the stabilization system.
Occasionally it comes across just wet asphalt, here you can deal with a six-speed TipTro-Nic automatic machine. In addition to the usual mode D, there are only five gears remain in it and they are included later, at higher speeds. Conveniently taken out (option) control of the box: two petals under the steering wheel allow, without tearing the hands, switch up or down in the range of six (D) or five (S) gears. At some point, I catch myself on the fact that the delay with switching, enjoying the deaf roar of a powerful motor and instant it in the range of 23005300 rpm of the power unit is able to issue at least 95% of the maximum moment! Standard adaptive air suspension not only regulates the size of the road clearance (by the way, this can be done manually), but also adjusts the characteristics of shock absorbers in accordance with the quality of the coating. It does not suit you can order a suspension performed by Sport. As, however, both the steering wheel and the seat, but then you will have to sacrifice the built -in masseur.
The letter L changes priorities
The top eight is represented at once in two versions: with a 130 mm base normal and elongated by 130 mm. Bukovka l on the stern means a change in priorities: the driver will carry the driver in this car sitting behind the owner. Therefore, softer and comfortable 18-inch wheels, a longer main gear (3.32 instead of 4.05). The mass increase is insignificant, only 35 kg, the loss in dynamics is almost imperceptibly excess ten ten in acceleration to a hundred. But the back is truly royal comfort, you can order separate chairs with many adjustments, memory, heating, ventilation and massage. Between the seats, in addition to the climate control panel (of course, two-zone), a phone, mini-bar, a refrigerator are placed, in the headlines of the front chairs of a couple of 6.5-inch colored LCD monitors. There is also a front chair by pushing it away, you can completely stretch your legs.
Prestige Club
All over the world, only about 6 thousand twelve-cylinder luxury cars, mainly German production, are sold annually. Despite the meager sales volumes, the competition is very stringent: the leadership in this segment gives a high status, which falls on all other models of the company with a halo. The new A8W12 is fresh of the main competitors, offers original technical solutions, and therefore has every chance of the favor of potential buyers. In any case, marketers of Audi hope to triple sales in a prestigious club of 12 cylinders.

At the 1931 Paris Motor Show, the ferry-670 was shown with a 12-cylinder engine of 6.0 liters and a capacity of 120 liters. With. It was distinguished by advanced technical solutions and high quality manufacturing. The maximum convertible speed weighing 2300 kg was 140 km/h, fuel consumption of 26 l/100 km, the cost of 23.5 thousand Reichsmars is about ten middle -class sedans. In total, 63 convertibles (type 670) and 20 pulmas (type 600) were released until 1934.
The W12 motor, made up of two VR6 blocks, is unusually compact only 513 mm in length!
In addition, the top model is distinguished, in addition to nameplates, oval exhaust pipes.
It is possible to distinguish cars from a standard and elongated (behind) base only by the opening of the rear door.
Under the knitting needles of the steering wheel, automatic control petals are hidden.
If desired, A8L can be turned into an office on wheels.
Even with a standard base, a five -meter eight is very spacious.

Our certificate
In Russia, sales of the long -drawn Audi A8 6.0L Quattro begin in April, the cost in standard equipment is $ 163.6 thousand. Cars with a normal base will appear a little later.
Yuri Nechetov. Photo by the author and audi

Source: The magazine "Driving"