2011 Audi A8

 

                            2011 Audi A8

It’s incredible what only a couple of years can do to an automobile manufacturer. Around the same month as now in 2010, the brand awareness for Audi was low amongst Indians. Even though Audi sales were growing consistently, the manufacturer was still playing third best to BMW and Mercedes as its German rivals took the lions share in the luxury car segment. However, in all of its press conferences Audi spokesmen in India sounded confident that the manufacturer in the years to come will be able to turn it around and one day become the largest selling luxury car manufacturer in India. While today Audi is still not the bestselling of the German marques, it is well on its way to realize its goal. Prices for the A8L start from Rs77,85,268 to Rs1,26,00,000 ex showroom New Delhi.
Audi would hope that the A8 will be able to capture the imagination of the super-rich in India and in order to defeat its German competitors, Audi will be investing 30 million Euro by 2015 in India.

Design

Typical of a sedan in this segment, the A8 has solid and strong lines and the limousine looks absolutely stunning. The extended wheelbase gives it elegance and so does the shoulder line. In flesh the new A8 looks sharp and crisp as any Audi and giving it additional presence is the big chrome grille and the LED headlamps but this also makes it looks too generic. The A8’s profile is dominated by the long bonnet and slab-sided flanks and the block-like rear of the car. In India the A8 is offered only in an extended wheelbase variant and there is also the W12. To differentiate the W12, Audi has added to it a flashier front grille with 8 horizontal chrome slats, twin trapezoidal tailpipes, 19 inch wheels and W12 badges on the grille and boot.

Interiors

Owning an A8 would mean that you will travel in first class every day. The layout of the cabin would remind you of a luxury yacht with its polished wood and brushed aluminium inserts. The white lighting, chrome and leather give it a sense of occasion which you would expect from a car costing as much. Making the cabin special is the merger of technology and tradition and there is immaculate precision to the finish.
The gear selector is now in the form of an electronic shifter and Audi claims that it has shaped it to resemble the thrust lever on a powerboat. The MMI system has been moved from the centre console to the fascia, and now features a touchpad panel, which allows you to write letters or numbers on the screen to enter phone numbers or navigation destinations. The MMI screen comes out from the central console and controls many functions including entertainment, information and communication and even the seats can be adjusted from the MMI. You can also alter settings for the engine, gearbox, suspension, steering and even the seatbelts. Overall the cabin set a new benchmark in this segment with a top design and brilliant use of materials.
The front and rear seats have tons of space and for the rear passengers there is also a fridge. Depending on the variant you buy, the seats can be cooled or heated, they massage you and passengers have their own DVD screen.
Audi allows you to really fill your A8 with features which include a night vision camera, massaging seats and an optional Rs 6.5lakh Bang & Olufsen stereo. There is also an optional Rear Executive seating package (costs nearly 4.5lakhs) which while does limit seating at the rear to two, provides first class comfort.

Engine and performance

The 2011 Audi A8 is now available with a 4.2-litre FSi motor, a 3-litre and a 4.2-litre TDI and Audi has also added the mad 6.3-litre W12 engine that produces 500PS. The W12 engine is basically the old 6-litre engine but Audi has added an additional 301cc which increases the power to now 500PS. The engine produces 625Nm@2500rpm and this naturally aspirated engine scores over its turbo charged competitors with its linear and responsive feel. The layout of the W12 architecture allows designers to keep the engine bay compact and reduce the engine weight. On a gentle tap of the throttle there is an explosive amount of power which is released and propels the W12 to hit 100kmph in 4.7seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph. The acceleration timing is only a tenth of a second slower than the RS5 sports car and the engine is matched to an 8-speed gearbox.
Another engine option is the 4.2-litre direct injection V8 motor which produces 372PS@6800rpm and 445Nm of torque @3500rpm. The engine revs all the way to 7000rpm redline and uses an eight-speed gearbox which only adds to the performance. Throttle response is excellent and 100kmph is reached in 5.8seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph. The engine is silky smooth and refined at the same time.
The base diesel engine is the V6, 3-litre TDI which produces 550Nm of torque. 100kmph is reached in 6.2seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph. There is also a bigger and more powerful V8, 4.2-litre TDI engine which produces a mammoth 800Nm of torque between 1750 to 2750rpm. This variant reaches 100kmph in 5.6seconds. Both the diesel engines use the same 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Ride

The A8 is constructed around a light aluminium space frame and comes with Audi’s all wheel drive (Quattro) and air suspension. According to Audi the space frame construction allows the A8 to be around 90kg lighter than an equivalent steel monocoque car. For Indian conditions Audi has increased ride height and added higher profile tyres. Though the suspension is on the stiff side, ride quality especially at the low speed is excellent and the air suspension glides over everything without bothering the passengers. While the ride quality is good, it isn’t the best in the class and there is also a fair amount of body movement. The A8’s aluminium suspension arms and variable dampers have multiple suspension settings which dramatically change the dynamics of the sedan. In Comfort mode, the car absorbs most of the bumps and in Sport mode, the A8 feels firmer but the ride too stiffens up. Overall the handling feels stable and predictable.

Verdict

The A8 is a remarkable car in a lot of ways. It has presence with sharp and crisp lines and Audi has tried to differentiate the W12 by adding a flashier front grille with 8 horizontal chrome slats and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. The cabin is luxurious and quality of materials is immaculate. Depending on how deep your pockets are, you can really fill your A8 up with features which rival first class experience. Interior space is good as well and the engines are refined and performance is excellent. The 6.3-litre W12 engine which produces 500PS is absolutely nuts and delivers almost sportscar rivaling performance. The ride and handling settings can be altered according to your needs and the A8 sets a benchmark in almost all segments.
Quotes from other reviews:
Autocar India: ‘The new A8 is a huge step ahead of the previous model. Equipped with a fantastic V8 motor, a cabin that is supremely comfortable and levels of equipment you can only dream of, the new A8 is poised to be the new benchmark in the luxury car segment. While it does most things brilliantly, it does have its shortcomings. A fair amount of road noise filters in at high speed, ride is not as settled as it could have been, and the gear lever has the potential to irritate. However, all this can be overlooked when you consider what a brilliant all-rounder this car is.