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Audi's luxury flagship slides into the dimensional gap between a BMW 7-Series and the smaller Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Use of aluminum for most frame and body panels, however, means the A8 weighs 300 to 500 pounds less than comparable luxury sedans. As its numerical designation suggests, a 3.7-liter aluminum V8 engine powered the A8 3.7 sedan, which came with front-wheel drive and standard traction control. A 300-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 went into the A8 4.2, along with Audi's permanently engaged Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Quattro automatically sends power to the wheels with the most traction in slippery conditions. Both models were equipped with six airbags: dual cushions in front, plus smaller airbags in each of the four doors. Rear side airbags were claimed to be an industry "first." Standard equipment also included antilock braking, an antitheft system, and 5-speed automatic transmission. Each A8 sedan also got a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power sunroof, cruise control, keyless entry, leather upholstery, and wood interior trim.Three option packages were available. The Cold Weather group featured heated steering wheel and front/rear seats, plus a ski sack. The Warm Weather option included insulated glass and sunshades for the back window and rear side windows. A solar sunroof in that group included interior fans that engaged when the car was parked in the sun. Rivals included the BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS 400, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Underneath the A8's aluminum body is the Audi Space Frame. Developed with Alcoa, this patented structure comprises seven different aluminum alloys. It has fewer parts (and therefore joints) than the typical steel unit-body. It's more rigid, and 40 percent lighter than a steel frame. Even with Audi's all-wheel drive system, the A8 weighs substantially less than the Mercedes-Benz S430 or even the new BMW 745i. Furthermore, aluminum's superior energy-absorbing capabilities helped the A8 to earn the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's dual five-star safety rating. It might surprise some people to know that it was the only premium luxury sedan to protect its passengers so well.
A8 was the first automobile with dual front airbags and side-protection airbags for both front and rear passengers. The current model adds Sideguard bags that discharge from the roof lining and help cover the side window area.
At 310 horsepower, the A8's 4.2-liter V8 sandwiches between the Mercedes-Benz S430 and the more powerful BMW 745i. Yet, thanks to the engine's efficiency, and the Audi's lighter weight, the A8 escapes the indignity of a gas-guzzler tax on its window sticker.
Interior Features
Just about everything comes standard on the A8, from a multi-CD changer to a key fob that lets drivers choose one of four seat positions as they approach the car. Just last year, Audi added a memory function on the front passenger seat, and a multi-function steering wheel incorporating audio, telephone and Tiptronic transmission controls.
Buyers in this niche are also paying for cabin space and executive-class ambience. Again, the A8 delivers, particularly if you prefer your ambience in serious Germanic style. The A8 interior is trimmed with dark, rich walnut, and the gear selector is surrounded by brushed aluminum. Perforated leather upholstery feels thick and supple, and the elegant headliner looks like suede.
The A8's front seats are excellent, comfortable and supportive. Some cars offer a zillion adjustments, yet it's still hard to get comfortable in them. These seats are comfortable from the outset. And then you still have 14 power adjustments (including four lumbar adjustments) purely for entertainment.
A $3,000 premium leather option, available only on the A8 L, adds leather on the door panels, knee bolsters and the console; plus Alcantara suede on the headliner and package shelf.
The driver peers over a thick-rimmed steering wheel that's relatively small in diameter. Thick A-pillars create a blind spot at intersections. The gauge cluster is backlit in red and features an electronic message center. The turn signal stalk is spindly. At first glance, the center of the dash is a dazzling display of red-lighted buttons, but time spent with it builds familiarity.
His-and-hers climate controls tend to require minimal adjustment and are appropriately mounted below the audio panel. The stereo buttons could be larger, but the largest of them is the volume control, square in the center where it's easy to find. The A8 features other clever touches throughout. The latch for the glovebox is all the way left, within easy reach of the driver. Audi's overhead sunroof switch is the slickest going: Turn it a quarter turn, and the roof opens a quarter of the way. Turn it all the way, and the roof opens wide. An optional solar-panel sunroof ($850) for the A8 L powers a fan to ventilate the interior while the car is parked. Like most German cars, this one is not strong in the cupholder department: It has one and it wasn't big enough for a grande caramel frappaccino. The cupholder had a metal bottom, however, indicating it may be designed to keep drinks hot or cold, but we didn't test this feature.
The rear seat coddles with variable lumbar support and headrest positioning, but lacks the recline adjustment available in some competitors. Still, the rear cabin offers plenty of standard and optional accoutrements, including adjustable ventilation, variable seat heaters, window shades, folding coat hooks, and reading lamps.
There's plenty of room back there, too. The A8 is a bit wider than either the BMW 7 Series or Mercedes S-Class; it's about the same length as the new BMW but several inches shorter than the Benz. That seems to translate into slightly less legroom for the base A8. The more compact Audi provides 100 cubic feet of interior volume, compared with 104 for the Bimmer and 105 in the class-leading Mercedes S-Class.
Audi's solution for those who require limousine-like rear-seat space is the A8 L, with a five-inch longer wheelbase, providing three inches more legroom and a touch more headroom. Needless to say, the rear seats in the A8 L are roomy and comfortable.
Front and rear doors open extra wide. However, the outside door handles are awkward, hard to hold, and can pinch your pinkie. The trunk lid opens beyond vertical to reveal a huge luggage bay, larger than in any sedan offered by BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes-Benz.
2001 Audi A8: A 360-horsepower S8 and a longer-body A8L joined the line-up in 2001. New standard features for the A8 and L included an antiskid system, an oil-level sensor, front passenger-seat memory, and a new steering wheel with controls for manual shifting, audio, and available cell phone.
This A8L is Also Very Well Loaded with:
Navigation System, Xenon Headlamps,
Front & Rear Heated Seats, 6-Disc CD Changer,
Automatic Transmission with Manual Shift Mode,
Power Steering Wheel with Audio & Tiptronic Controls,
18" Factory Alloy Wheels, (ESP) Traction Control System,
Dual Power Seats with Lumbar Supports and Memory,
Power Rear SunShade, Manual Rear Side SunShades,
Homelink System, Trip Computer, Wood Dash Trim,
Power Glass Moonroof, Front & Rear Fog Lamps,
(PDC) Front & Rear Park Distance Controls,
Dual Zone Digital Climate Control System,
Symphony AM/FM/TAPE/CD Stereo,
BOSE Premium Sound System,
and Auto Dimming Mirror.
ORIGINAL FACTORY EQUIPMENT - GPS navigation system-inc: one map CD, Backlit instrumentation w/automatic brightness control-inc: electric speedometer, tachometer, trip odometer, temp gauge, digital odometer w/ service interval indicator, Luggage net, Rear seat heat ducts, Anti-theft alarm system-inc: blinking LED light, interior monitoring sensors, Pwr windows-inc: pinch protection, front/rear one-touch-down, front one-touch-up, rear window lockout, Dual zone automatic climate control-inc: sun sensors, activated charcoal filter, vehicle shut-off rest function operation, Full length center console-inc: front storage bin, cup holder, rear air vents, rear seat heater controls, Rear window defogger w/timer, Diversity antenna in rear window, Polished wood inlays-inc: instrument panel, center console, door panels, Pwr central locking system-inc: trunk/fuel filler door locks, selective unlocking, auto window/sunroof closing, driver/front passenger master control, Leather wrapped shift knob/hand brake lever, Homelink universal garage door opener, Heated soft-optic rear seat-inc: head restraint adjustment w/concealable center head restraint/pwr lumbar adjustment for outboard seating positions, Folding rear center armrest w/first-aid kit, Rear window pwr sunshade/rear side windows manual sunshade, AM/FM stereo cassette/CD player w/speed-dependent volume/200-watt Bose premium sound system-inc: 8-speakers, trunk mounted subwoofer/trunk mounted 6-disc CD changer, Driver memory settings-inc: seat, steering wheel, headrest height, outside mirrors, climate control, Retained accessory pwr on windows & sunroof, Cruise control, Steering wheel entry/exit automatic tilt-away, Remote locking system-inc: remote trunk release, panic feature, interior light/alarm activation, Dual front center folding armrest w/height adjustment/storage, Driver information display-inc: trip computer, auto check system, outside temp display, Front/rear floor mats, Storage pockets-inc: front seatbacks & front/rear door.
