2005 Audi A8 Review

The big Audi A8 L luxury sports sedan is the only car I've tested that has an owner's manual that says: "Aircraft -- transporting your vehicle.'' But then, the A8 L is the sort of car aircraft owners would want to take on trips.

I never got around to buying an airplane, but felt wealthy when driving the $69,900 A8 L, which is the long-wheelbase (121.1-inch) V-8 version of the A8. Every A8 L owner should ride in the limo-style back seat at least once to get an idea of what it's like to feel like a celebrity.

Road & Track magazine recently wrote that the A8 L "brings together [a] harmonious blend of style, grace, performance, luxury and spirit.''

The A8 L is joined for 2005 by a shorter-wheelbase (115.9-inch) sedan, which is 5.1 inches shorter overall and costs $66,590. Audi says the short-wheelbase A8 gives "added handling prowess,'' but the A8 L handles just fine -- the short-wheelbase model is just there to provide a lower-priced A8.

You might as well spend the extra, piddling $3,310 and get the long-wheelbase version, which looks more impressive and has a roomier rear seat, smoother ride and such things as heated door locks.

The A8 has Audi's proven quattro all-wheel drive system, advanced aluminum construction and a staggering amount of comfort and convenience equipment -- not to mention air bags everywhere you look. It also has one of the most opulently stylish luxury car interiors, with genuine wraparound wood trim and the best of materials. No stitch is out of place .

The leather-covered seats are supportive, back-lit gauges can be quickly read and controls can be easily used -- with the exception of Audi's complex Multi Media Interface (MMI) system.

The MMI system uses a turn-and-push console control knob flanked by buttons, along with a pop-up dashboard screen. The MMI system provides operation, adjustment and control of onboard electronics, including the sound system and driver-selected suspension settings. But it calls for multiple steps to do usually simple tasks, yanking attention from the road.

BMW has a similar, generally disliked, "iDrive'' system that Audi probably thought had to be copied. Bad move.

All doors are large and wide for easy entry but have oddly shaped outside handles. The cabin has large, pull-open pockets in doors, which have rear windows that lower all the way.

The roomy, nicely shaped trunk has a low, wide opening, with a power lid that opens high to accept larger cargo.

The wealth of standard equipment doesn't preclude a generous offering of options, which include $2,000 keyless access and starting and a $1,500 rear refrigerator.

The short-wheelbase A8 and A8 L have a silky smooth 4.2-liter, 335-horsepower V-8 with dual overhead camshafts, sky-high 11:1 compression ratio that calls for premium fuel and five valves per cylinder, instead of the usual two.

New this year is a 6-liter, 450-horsepower V-12 version of the long-wheelbase model to compete with BMW and Mercedes-Benz V-12 full-size sedans.

Too bad Audi caved in and offers a $100,00-plus A8 L "W12'' V-12 model to compete with BMW and Mercedes top-line V-12 sedans because V-12s are superfluous, gas-thirsty engines that mainly represent ego trips for most of their owners.

The A8 also competes with Jaguar XJ sedans, but Jaguar figures that its supercharged 390-horsepower V-8 is plenty good. Even the XJ's standard 294-horsepower V-8 makes the car more than fast enough.

The A8's quiet V-8 provides seemingly effortless acceleration and propels the big Audi to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds. It works with a six-speed automatic transmission with an easily used manual shift feature. For added performance, the transmission has a Sport mode that delays upshifts for more spirited acceleration and faster automatic downshifts.

The transmission actually "learns'' a driver's style -- and then selects from among 200 programmed shift patterns to optimize gear changes for any given driving behavior, resulting in a nearly personalized transmission mode.

The V-8 delivers an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 on highways -- not bad, thanks to the 4,228-4,339-pound A8's lighter-weight aluminum construction. Figures for the V-12 are 18 city, 21 highway.

The quick steering is light at lower speeds to facilitate parking and maneuvering in tight spots, but seems too light until the Audi is moving at a good clip. The driver-adjustable air suspension does an excellent job providing a made-in-heaven ride and handling that lets the A8 be driven quickly and safely, with strong anti-lock brakes for quick, sure stops. The rival BMW 7-Series feels more secure at high speeds, but lacks the elegance of the A8 L.

The more rubber on the road, the better the grip. That means a change to optional 18-inch tires from 17-inchers for the A8 short wheelbase and L versions is a good upgrade. But optional 19-inch tires for either V-8 model hurts ride quality. So do available 20-inch tires for the V-12 version, which has standard 19-inch tires.

The A8 L doesn't have the resale value of the top-line Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7-series sedans -- at least not yet. 

2005 AUDI A8 L
PRICES
$66,590-$117,400.

LIKES
Makes you feel rich. Fast with smooth V-8. Sleek. Opulent interior. Limo-style rear seating. All-wheel drive.

DISLIKES
Complex Multi Media Interface system. Superfluous available V-12.