Audi A8 4.2 l LWB review (Audi A8 in general)

Member Name: Orichalon

Product:	Audi A8 in general
Date:	10/09/08 (120 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Refinement, comfort, style

Disadvantages: Suspension

Car: 2008 Audi A8 4.2l V8 diesel SE LWB

First off, the looks. The A8's conservative styling has caused several mutterings in the motoring industry, but I find it very refreshing. BMW and Mercedes, with their 7 series and S class respectively, have gone down the extreme route, with the BMW looking like that ugly uncle that you're embarassed about, and the S class just looking...imposing. The A8, on the other hand, is very conservative, and, I think, all the more classy about it. If the A8 were a person, it would be someone who's got wealth, and knows that he's got wealth, but doesn't feel the urge to flash it around.

The interior of the A8 is a very nice place to be. The A8 which I own has pretty much every extra available, and it is very nice. From the supple leather (with heated and massaging seats) to the SatNav screen that pops out of the area where it was concealed behind the wood, it's very nice.

The rear of the car is also very spacious. I have the long wheelbase version, which adds a good few inches to the length of the car, and it's SPACIOUS. In the back, my children (15 and 17) can stretch their legs out almost completely. There are also fully electric seats (which are heated and massaged, naturally) in the back, which can recline and move forward, as well as two screens built into the back of the headrests of the front seats, so my kids can watch films on journeys.

The engine is a peach. It's a biturbo 4.2l diesel V8, and is very smooth and powerful at 326 BHP. 0-60 takes just 6.1 seconds, and it certainly feels very quick. I've got sports suspension (which also lowers the car), and the Audi is quite good in the bends but it's certainly no sporting car.

The one area where the A8 falls down on is its suspension. I've tried both the sports and normal suspension, and both are slightly too hard for my liking around town, while both are also too soft in the corners. The A8 has air suspension, which can firm up and soften, but really, Audi needs to work on this area.

The boot is humungous, and, on a recent trip to southern france with four people for three weeks, the A8 managed to swallow up everything in its boot! Incredible!

Overall, the A8 really is a viable alternative to an S class or 7 series. It has style and plenty of refinement - when cruising on the motorway you could be forgiven for thinking the car is standing still, it's the quiet. Well worth a look if you're thinking of buying a car in this segment.

My A8 with all the options cost around £85,000 new.

Summary: A great car that's refreshingly different to a bmw or merc

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