Test Drive Audi A8 D4 since 2010 Sedan

Lord of the Strins

How arrogantly looks like a8 with a new falseradiator lattice! Despot, tyrant. With such a chrome-plated shield (on the usual restyled versions of chromium there is only around the perimeter) Neither the flasher nor xenon do not need everything and so they are removed from the strip like silk. Definitely, such styling will be in demand in Moscow. Just pay for it will have to be more. Fully aluminum packaged A8 is only a little, it does not reach the price of concentrated incarnation of style and speakers from Italy Maserati Quattroporte.


However, Audi is also beautiful. Black, with a correct amount of chromium, on the lungs (forged aluminum) 19-inch wheels, with a mentioned shield, with spectacular pseudo-nozzles of the exhaust system, mounted in the rear bumper ... It is possible to strengthen the impression if you look at it in certain angles. For example, strictly faces, a little sowing a top of a dozen LEDs (by the way, a perfectly highlighted the side of the sidelines in turns) and the overall expression of the muzzle hypnotize. Feel yourself like a rabbit before a boat. Or like a blade before the bumper. Behind, too, good laconic rubies of lanterns, exhaust cracks, cherished numbers six and zero. Shoter W12 is not here he decorates the shield. The eye does not rush, but the status emphasizes.


Take the dossier of giant. From the spot until hundreds of the car jumps (accelerates here is not very suitable) for 5.1 seconds. Slightly slower than it makes insane twice turbocharged S600 (4.8 seconds), but four tenths faster than a 12-cylinder atmospheric competitor from Bavaria 760i. Since we mentioned Maserati, we also give her numbers: 5.2 sec. With atmospheric V8. You can not add the British Jaguar XJR to this slaughter list, albeit not 12-cylinder, but with a compressor of 5.3 seconds. (For comparison: Porsche 911 Carrera 5 sec., BMW M5 4.7 sec.) Such a representative class, such an executive acceleration.


However, it is not easy to believe in these numbers, while driving A8 (and even more so on the site of the passenger). Maybe the reason for the magnificent sound insulation. Or large dimensions and excellent pneumatic suspension. Most likely, everything is multiplied by Quattro active help.


From the driver, no voltage is required and certainly special skills. At least read the newspaper the edge of the eye, pressing the foot accelerator, and holding the steering wheel. Only a remote arrows of the speedometer arrows can surprise. Times and a hundred, two and two hundred, three and ... no, not 250, as the electronic speed limiter promises, and 280! Easy and easy!


However, almost any miracular can find a logical explanation. And the Audi A8 W12 miracle is no exception. Audi Space Frame Aluminum Body is familiar with the first model A8. Easy, very robust design far from the last thing reports the car excellent dynamics and handling. Number two turns and compact Motor W12. An impressive hybrid of two V6 with a volume of 6 liters gives 450 hp and 580 nm of torque. At the same time, with a listener of the power unit, it costs very correctly, only in the limit modes reporting on its extreme potential linking notes and a shooting exhaust.


Pneumatic suspension can operate in four modes. Dynamic Minimum clearance and maximum rigidity, Comfort comfortable settings, auto stiffness and height are automatically installed depending on driving manner, LIFT for billboards attack on parquings.

The use of a pneumatic suspension gives a number of useful bonuses. In addition to the possibility of choosing on the move mode of operation of the suspension from sports to a comfortable, the driver can easily change the clearance and call for an impregnable border without harm to the body and the bottom of the car.


At the speed of the chassis, the top version A8 behaves flawlessly. On the smooth asphalt disappears any feeling of speed, the car is like flies over the road. Class! 200 km / h Behind the wheel of this sedan is perceived as standard 140V150. But if the coating is not perfect, the car is slightly digging, the dynamic corridor is expanding, shocks are transmitted to the steering wheel, the feeling of rail disappears, the desire will appear slightly reset the speed.


In the Comfort mode, the machine is slightly swinging on gentle waves, but in general the behavior is projected and understandable. Dynamic makes the car collected, the profile of the route is more clearly transmitted on the body, the reaction is sharper. If the sports mode of the 6-speed Tiptronic is involved, the trip turns into a fascinating attraction. The moment throws the car forward from any speed, and the brakes show ourselves from the best side. In general, the suspension at A8 is harsh, it was possible to expect a little more comfort level. But today in fashion sports ...


The only claim to the automatic transmission is impossible to jump over a couple of steps down. There is a hitch. However, do you often need such races on the car with a 12-cylinder engine? Manual control mode in the top version is carried out by convenient steering switches, however, this option seemed slightly contrived here, because the machine always decides what to do, and it is for a couple of seconds to knead or notice how he joins the necessary, in his opinion, transmission. When reaching maximum revolutions, when braking down. (In general, manual mode here is completely nothing, it is for weaker versions.) In Sport mode, small delays in the work box are, but they remain in the shadow of the magnificent work of the aluminum heart of the car, which is capable of very and very much. In general, when the suspension and the box work in a sporty, the sedan goes into the GT class, showing excellent (but not groan) handling and outstanding dynamics. Maximum speed with a minimum of voltage and high level of comfort is the sportiness in the interpretation of A8 W12.


As for ergonomics and interior in general, W12 is not much different from versions with less powerful motors. By and large, only the steering wheel is different, with a miniature shield and four rings inside. Everything else is familiar. Attracts the interactive MMI control system with a retractable seventhuminous display. Its main difference from the idrive analog is that the corresponding button is provided for each function, and pressing it displays all the necessary information to wander around the tree options. The computer on the BMW becomes convenient not immediately need some time to get comfortable with it. In A8, everything is clear from the first time, the MMI interface is clearly friendly.


Salon finishing materials flawless, build quality, too. Is that the monitor slightly rattles when the passage of irregularities is strange. Caused questions and combination of matte metal inserts and wood finishes.


Machine owner recognition system: Keyless Entry. If the key is lying in the pocket, the door will sing the door itself. There are two ways to start a motor: classic (key) or button on the center console. The button can be replaced by the touch device, which reads the fingerprint, and not only starts the engine, but also gives the settings of the machine to match the previously specified settings (options for four people).


All weekend ended, line again plugged dense traffic flow, and the owner of Audi's time to pass the steering wheel to the driver and to isolate themselves from the outside world, sitting in the back seat. Space here, of course, abound, there is heating, blinds, climate control. But Power rear seats can only offer dlinnobaznaya (plus 130 mm) version. If the vehicle is purchased for use as a limousine, in addition to the W12 can recommend bukovku L. In addition, the stretched version looks more solid. But even a short A8 W12 with an excellent pair.


For Audi A8 W12 in general no complaints. It perfectly combines the quality of the executive sedan and a sports car. The price is high but justified. It indicates not only on the technical level, but also on the status. Vehicle status necessary roads, and these are always small. By the way, for the test, I often met the eight-modification and they quickly disappeared in the rearview mirror.


Naturally, a Maserati or Jaguar even more rare, but not all are willing to spend a lot of money on cars shocking. And Audi is possible to stand out from the crowd, if it is equipped with engine W12.


PRICES AND EQUIPMENT AUDI A8
Audi recommends the following representation of the retail price of the A8 sedan. Cheapest front-drive model will be equipped with three-liter V-shaped six power of 218 hp and a five-speed automatic transmission. Such a machine costs $ 90,800. Extended version with the same Multitronic will cost $ 94,148. There is a diesel option, with uattro, equipped with a six-speed Tiptronic for $ 99,611. A more powerful eight-cylinder 3,7 Tiptronic Quattro costs from $ 102,903. The same car, but with the engine of 4.2 liters is estimated already in the $ 123,000. A long version of $ 133,749. For top performance version korotkobaznym asking $ 162,000, and the increase in the 13 cm to the base of customer pull pocket about $ 13,000.


Note that the long list of options available for this car is able to raise the cost of even the most simple model to price peaks versions W12.
 
 
 
   
 
 
Leonty Tyutelev
 

A source: Journal of Motor [May-June 2005]