2001 Audi A8 Review (continued)
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Walkaround

Launched in the summer of 1994 and arriving in North America in the fall of 1996, the A8 is the oldest car in Audi's lineup, so it lacks the current styling of Audi's A6 and upcoming A4. It's been around long enough that it doesn't attract much attention; it simply looks like der big Audi.

Yet the A8 remains fresh. Its clean, elegant profile emphasizes the large wheel arches and massive aluminum wheels. Audi has mastered the art of producing sedans that are striking -- imposing, even - without being overbearing. Optional 17-inch wheels add to its aggressive but understated appearance.

Underneath the A8's aluminum body is the Audi Space Frame. Developed with Alcoa, the patented space frame is manufactured with seven different aluminum alloys. It has fewer parts (and joints) than the typical steel unibody, it's more rigid, and it's 40-percent lighter than a steel frame. Furthermore, aluminum's increased energy-absorbing capabilities helped the A8 become the only member of the premium luxury class to earn the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's dual five-star safety rating.

A8 was the first automobile with dual front airbags and side-protection airbags for both front and rear passengers. The current system also includes Sideguard airbags that discharge from the roof lining and help cover side window area in an impact.

At 310 horsepower, the A8's 4.2-liter V8 has a slight edge over the BMW 740i and Mercedes-Benz S430. Yet, thanks to the engine's efficiency and the Audi's lighter weight, the A8 has no 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 a driver choose one of four seat positions as he or she approaches the car. New toys for 2001 include a memory function on the front passenger seat, and a multi-function steering wheel incorporating audio, telephone and Tiptronic transmission controls.

Buyers in this class also are paying for cabin space and executive-class ambience. Again, the A8 delivers, particularly if they prefer their ambience in German hues. The cabin 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. This car is comfortable from the outset.

A $3,500 premium leather option available only on the A8 L model adds leather on door panels, knee bolsters and the console.

The driver peers over a thick-rimmed steering wheel that's relatively small in diameter. The gauge cluster is back-lit 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 at night, but time spent with it builds familiarity.

His and hers climate controls tend to require minimal adjustment and are appropriately mounted below the stereo 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 has 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, 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) available for the A8 L powers a fan to ventilate the A8 when it is parked.

The rear seats have variable lumbar support and headrest positioning, but lack the recline adjustment available in some competitors. Still, the rear cabin offers plenty of 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, but several inches shorter than either, which translates into slightly less legroom for the base A8. The slightly more compact Audi provides 100 cubic feet of interior volume compared with 105 in the class-leading Mercedes S-Class.

The solution for those who require limousine-like back-seat space is the A8 L model, with a five-inch longer wheelbase, producing three inches more legroom and a touch more headroom. The rear seats in the A8 L are roomy and comfortable.

The chime on the optional Acoustic Parking System ($700) warning of objects near the car when backing up can be annoying and hard to understand.

Front and rear doors open extra wide. The trunk lid opens beyond vertical to reveal a big trunk; the A8 has a larger trunk than any sedan offered by BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes-Benz.

Audi's optional navigation system doesn't offer the vivid graphical maps of other systems, but instead places the route instructions in between the speedometer and tachometer so the driver doesn't have to glance to the center of the dash. It also doesn't seem to give as many erroneous instructions as some of the other systems we've seen. The navigation system comes bundled with the acoustic parking system in the Guidance Package ($1980), and standard with the A8 L.