If you’re a person that loves to drive you’d probably go for an Audi RS 5 or maybe even a TT RS. However if you’re someone that likes to be driven, & values a nice foot massage then the A8 or the A8L might be on your shopping list. Released just hours ago at the Audi Summit in Barcelona Spain, the new A8 represents the 4th generation of this flagship model, but what makes it so special?
Predictive suspension technology isn’t exclusive to the Audi A8, but it’s still really cool. Basically a camera scans for dips & bumps in the road, that info is sent to the active suspension which can adjust accordingly. This way you wont spill your champagne or have your foot massage interrupted. Right, onto the foot massage. The back of the front passenger seat can fold forward (like in the picture above) & offer the rear passenger a heated foot massage!
So, what about the technical nitty-gritty? Both the A8 and the A8L are longer than the previous generation. The A8L is about 5.1 inches longer than the A8 so you can really stretch out back there. Also you get a handful of assertive technologies including Traffic Jam Pilot which basically takes over all controls (even steering) below 37.3 mph, and also Remote Parking Pilot which parks for you even without you in the car. In addition to predicting the road ahead, the active suspension can instantly raise the in the case of an impending crash which can reduce the effects of an accident. The vehicle has all wheel steering & a variable steering ratio (based on speed) which i have in my 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP.
Audi seems proud of its 10.1 inch touchscreen display, however the lack of tactile controls can be frustrating for some people and even cause prolonged periods of your eyes coming off the road. Not only is the infotainment touch screen, the HVAC and other controls are as well. There will be 5 engine options, & availability of these options will be based on location.
- 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel (286 hp).
- 3.0L V6 Turbo (340 hp)
- 4.0L V8 Deisel (435 hp)
- 4.0L V8 (460 hp)
- 6.0L W12 (hp uknown for now)
Right now the A8 will be starting around $103,394 and the A8L at about $107,376. There will be an A8 L e-tron quattro plug in hybrid at a later date which will have a 3.0 L gas & electric engine with 449hp & 516.3 ft lbs of torque.
The Feel Of Fast 