While it is not every day you find yourself tooling about the Jewel parking lot in a car costing $97,900, it is perhaps encouraging to see that the big bill actually gets you a pretty big response. In the car biz it's called 'bang for your buck,' and the Audi A8 L delivers plenty, albeit it highly sophisticated, of 'bang.'
With no disrespect to the 4.2 liter, 350 horsepower DOHC V8 in my A8 L tester, the real bang you get comes from the extraordinary amount of attention seemingly normal folk will devote to this car. Usually, I find these kinds of looks from passersby are reserved for Hummers, Porsches and Minis.
The "L" in the A8 L stands for "Long." And when you see it you understand why. While it is not limousine long, it is definitely longer than most anything in sedan form you will encounter. As they hold their gaze on the beautifully sloping lines, sleek curves and sporty looking 18-inch alloy wheels, all I can say to myself is - if they could only get a chance to see the inside.
As Audi's flagship, you would expect the A8 L to set the bar on interior comfort - and it does. Start with the Valcona leather seats, which are heated and cooled, and move around the enormous cabin. From the soft leather-wrapped steering wheel to the walnut wood accents on the doors, dash and center consol, luxury exudes from every corner.
Of special note was an area I rarely find luxury - the roof liner, which is made of a soft, slightly tacky-to-touch Alcantara. When passengers take the time to actually mention a roof liner, you know you are in the presence of something special.
Special is a word that could easily be used to describe 80 percent of the A8. How else could I describe such a large vehicle as having a "sporty" feel to drive or a sedan that delivers a nimble response on the road.
Among all the luxury is some extraordinary function. Start with lighting. Of special convenience at night is the lighted entry foot wells and door handles. Storage compartments are well lit as well as the huge trunk, where you will find a full-size 18-inch spare mounted on the matching aluminum rim. Seems to me they could have had someone live in the trunk just in case you needed a tire changed. Maybe next model year?
The Multi-Media Interface with its retractable screen is an impressive gadget that turns out to be highly functional and, after some time spent practicing, is easy to use. Climate control is available to driver and passenger as well as rear right and left passengers. It is impossible to not get comfortable in the back seat. Legroom is unconscious - something you may find yourself if left reclining in the soft leather with the audio system surrounding you.
In my opinion, the standard 12-speaker Bose Surround Sound System with 6-disc changer in the base A8 is one of the industry's best. Add to that the Bang & Olufsen upgrade ($6,300) and you would swear you have an orchestra riding with you (there's certainly enough room). I've only encountered such rich, crisp sound quality in a couple other test vehicles. As amazing as it is, at $6,300, I guess you have to expect that.
Items like the highly functional Nav system and an upgrade Sirius Satellite Radio ($550) add to the immense operating power at hand for the driver and passengers.
The A8 L's power is not relegated to the interior. Offering a light aluminum body structure and paired with the 4.2 liter V8, jumping off the line or casually passing everything in your path on the highway is easily accomplished with little effort.
Believe it or not, there is a Premium Package ($4,400) offered and my tester received some nice upgrades such as an Electric Rear Sunshade; Power Open/Close Trunk; Rear Vanity Mirrors; and Power Door Close Assist.
If I wanted, I could easily do a feature on the amazing accumulation of technology and convenience amassed in the A8 L. The point of a luxury sedan is to serve and inspire. Audi's A8 L achieves both goals and in doing so continues to push the luxury German brand, and the competition, to the next level.
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