Audi A8 D4 Test drive since 2010 sedan

Eight write four in mind

Any well -sewn business suit has a disadvantage - restraint of the form. It can be found in the new Audi A8. Quattro
Good taste is not striking. Obviously, it was followed by this commandment, Audi in the design of its cars went on the path of not revolutions, but evolutions. This is more than appropriate for expensive models: after all, for example, the most prestigious costumes at first glance differ little from their more mass counterparts. A sensation of high quality comes in the process of a closer acquaintance.
Feelings and mind. It is difficult to describe in words how the appearance of the new A8 differs from the exterior of the predecessor or other Audi sedans. This beauty has no clear and bright details that could help in this. However, disconnect the mind and trust the feelings - the form and proportions speak for yourself. A low silhouette with widely placed wheels, a wedge -shaped massive lower part, a slightly sloping roof create exactly the impression that should be expected from a prestigious and high -tech sedan.
The absence of bells and whistles at least excludes disputes regarding the acceptability of certain elements. Here the analogy with a business suit is very suitable: the canons have been determined for a long time, nuances are decisive. Well, we will not forget that some car owners of this class do not really like to be too noticeable. This is especially true for Europe. And in America, it is often the modesty of forms and decor that is a sign of a prestigious car.
Hidden avant -garde. In 1994, A8 became the world's first serial model with a completely aluminum body and all -wheel drive of Quattro. The new eight also has an aluminum body, but a slightly modified design.
The main novelty in the design is a pneumatic suspension that is installed here in standard configuration. This system first appeared two years ago on Audi Allroad. A slightly different version is used here, primarily distinguished by geometric parameters: the standard road clearance is set at 120 mm, if desired, the car can be lifted to 145 mm. In dynamic mode, the clearance is reduced to 100 mm, and in the mode of the motorway (the suspension switches into it if the speed of 120 km/h lasts more than 30 seconds) - even up to 95 mm.
The suspension control unit changes the operating mode of each of the pneumo elements for a thousandths of a second. The driver only needs to choose one of the modes through MMI: automatic, dynamic or comfortable. Plus, it is possible to force the car to the maximum clearance value - only when it reaches a speed of 100 km/h, it will again drop to a normal position. And in the submenu of the suspension control, the trailer towing mode is found (however, it turns on automatically) and the service mode - it must be turned on when replacing the wheel, for example, so that the suspension does not try to intervene in the process.
By order, you can put on the A8 and the sports version of the suspension, which is characterized by more stringent settings and reduced by 20 mm road clearance in all modes.
They are not looking for good from good. Something, however, was left without any changes. This applies to engines - both are somewhat modernized versions of the long -used engines. In both cases, power and moment are increased. Tiptronic transmission is more or less familiar. However, here it is six -speed, and a dynamic mode has been added to the control program (DSP - Dynamic Shift Programm). It turns on when installing the lever in position S, and its features affect not only in acceleration mode. The presence of a variety of sensors on a machine allows the transmission, for example, to take into account the movement in the bend: in this case, it will hold the step on, while the regular machine would already switch to increased.
As expected, Tiptronic has manual control. As an option, an option is offered with control on the steering wheel - by pressing the blades under the knitting needles, like on a racing R8, a three -fold champion of 24 hours of Le Mana.
Invisible excesses. The first impression of the A8 salon fully coincides with what you feel when looking outside: no particularly bright details, but a feeling of quality is 101 percent. Here, apparently, not only the Audi tradition affects to be a leader in the quality of the interior decoration, but also breeding with Bentley. While the latter has been to the Rolls-Royce branch for many decades, it differed from the main brand using many continental and sports solutions. And now I brought to the family of the top macro Volkswagen the spirit of a British understanding of luxury. For example, the A8 console emphasized from the instrument panel. This helped ... the absence of many governing bodies. They were replaced by the MMI multifunctional system - Multi Media Interface. The seven -inch monitor and a rotary handle on the console advanced from the central part of the panel provide control of almost all functions - from the audio system and ventilation to the air suspension. Quite true, this is very reminiscent of the i-Drive from the Bavarian competitor. It is difficult to say which is better: say, the tactile sensations from the BMW joystick are impressive stronger, but the Audi display looks more elegant ... The display also serves the navigation system: thanks to the use of DVD information as a carrier, the driver will no longer have to change the wheels when crossing each border.
The parking brake electric drive looks extravagant, it is controlled by a small lever on the console. The drive communicates with other car systems, which simplifies, for example, touching on the slope: the brake remains blocked until the moment on the wheels is sufficient to move the car.
On many sedans of this class, the owner travels in the back seat. Even in the basic version, it is well equipped: the supply of air at eight points is far from all models. In addition to the central block and cracks under the seats, there are deflectors in the central racks: the upper ones blow the glass, and the lower ones are directed at passengers. In standard configuration, A8 is equipped with a two-zone climate control; If the machine often carries more than two people, you can order a four -zone one with a separate control panel for the rear passengers.
Very fast sedan. In motion A8 behaves exactly as expected from the sedan of the highest class. That is, it accelerates quickly, moves smoothly, holds the road wonderful. It was interesting to compare the differences when moving in different transmission and suspension modes. They turned out to be quite obvious with Tiptronic: when moving to a sports switching mode, they became less often, the motor was twisted almost to the stop and the reaction of the machine was noticeably livelily. But in order to feel the differences in the characteristics of the suspension on rather even, although in places and winding roads in the Barcelona area, we must already listen to the sensations. Any significant difference can be seen only with sufficiently sharp turns.
One could also expect a more significant difference in the power of the steering wheel. After all, the management is equipped not only with an amplifier with characteristics depending on speed, but also by a mechanism with alternating transfer rates - with small rotation angles, the force should be higher. In principle, the way it is. But the steering wheel at high speed could be a little tougher. However, this is a subjective issue. Maybe for such cases in the future will appear, like a change in the suspension modes, and the switches of the characteristics of the steering amplifier? I remember that Citroen CX was offered to choose from two options for the steering mechanism ...
However, the A8 buyer will choose from: although only one option is offered for the length of the base, two engines and one transmission, the list of options includes a sports suspension, three seats, and a four-zone climate control. And also the drive of the trunk cover and closing the lid of the driver to imprint on the fingerprint (with simultaneous adjustment of all memory adjustments), three options for head headlights are ordinary, bi-ksenon, and also Bi-Cenon with additional rotary headlights. Not to mention the adaptive cruise control and the five-year-old Bose audio system with compensation for the noise background ...
 
Text Valery Chusov, photo of the author and Audi AG

Model/Modification Audi A8 3.7 Quattro Audi A8 4.2 Quattro
Manufacturer/country Audi AG/Germany Audi AG/Germany
BODY
Type sedan sedan
Number of doors/places 4/5 4/5
ENGINE
Gasoline type with electronic injection gasoline with electronic injection
Front location, longitudinally in front, longitudinally
Working volume (cubic meter) 3697 4172
Number/location of cylinders 8/V-shaped 8/V-shaped
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 206 (280) at 6000 246 (335) at 6500
Moment (Nm at about./Min.) 360 at 3750 430 at 3500
TRANSMISSION
The drive is full
Automatic gearbox Tiptronic, 6-speed automatic Tiptronic, 6-speed
SUSPENSION
The anterior independent, on four transverse levers, pneumatic, reptile stabilizer is independent, on four transverse levers, pneumatic, pneumatic stability stabilizer
The rear independent, multi -link, pneumatic, reptile stabilizer independent, pneumatic, pneumatic stability stabilizer
STEERING
Type gear-rake, amplifier with a variable characteristic of the gear-rake, amplifier with a variable characteristic
Min. The diameter of the turn (m) 12.1 12.1
Brakes
Front/rear circular ventilated/disk ventilated ventilated/disk ventilated
ABS 4-channel, electronic system distribution system 4-channel, electronic system of distribution of brake forces
Parking brake Electromechanical electromechanical
Additional Electronic Stability Programm security systems, Electronic Stability Programm emergency hydraulic braking system, emergency hydraulic system
Dimensions/volumes/weight
Length/width/height (mm) 5051/1894/1444 5051/1894/1444
Wheel base (mm) 2944 2944
Equipped mass (kg) 1770 1780
Tires 235/55 R17 235/55 R17
Discs 8j x 17 8j x 17
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km/h) 250* 250*
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 7.3 6.3
Economy
Average fuel consumption (l/100 km) 11.7 11.9
The price in Moscow from $ 80 thousand from $ 90 thousand.

*The limitation of maximum speed is laid in the engine control unit and transmission. The voluntary measure of all German automakers.
 

Source: "Autopilot"