Such is the affect that this new Audi has on car-savvy people who take a closer look.  They discover that this car is full of surprises, like a V8 with 5 valves per cylinder for a total of 40 valves and 320 horsepower, or a 6 speed automatic transmission that seems to read your mind.  Let's not forget the new air suspension system that gives this car one of the best rides I have yet experienced without compromising on its road feel and solid handling.  And of course we all know that Audi is famous for their Quattro all-wheel drive system

The new A8L is built on a third generation aluminum space frame that is stronger and lighter than on previous cars.  It is constructed using fewer parts which allow for more precise fit and easier assembly.  Several sections of this frame are cast aluminum for enhanced rigidity.  In fact, this structure is 60 percent more rigid than on the previous model and weighs in at 300 pounds lighter to boot.

The aluminum body panels fit together flawlessly into a sweeping flow of lines and curves that looks like it is moving at warp speed while waiting for the traffic light to turn green.  And when it does, a slight nudge on the throttle will whoosh you back to super-legal speeds in a seemingly effortless display of quiet power.

The muted sound that this 4.2 liter V8 makes under power seems to have been tuned by the Boston Philharmonic.  This is one of the sweetest sounding V8 engines I have yet heard.  The Tiptronic automatic transmission can be exercised is several ways:  In (D) Drive for all normal cruising,  (S) Sport mode for more performance oriented driving where the unit will upshift later and downshift sooner to take advantage of engine braking, or you can shift through the 6 forward speeds manually for full control.

Once behind the wheel, it is easy to find a comfortable position in the 16-way power adjustable driver's seat.  The ignition key works a bit differently than in most cars, put the key in the ignition slot without turning it and the system goes into accessory mode allowing the radio to work.  The key goes in straight up and down and stays that way.  If you momentarily twist the key to the right and let it go, the engine starts.  While that doesn't sound very unusual, the difference is that you don't have to wait for the engine to be running before you let the key go.   It will continue to crank on its own until the engine starts.  The key cannot be removed while the engine is running.  To turn the engine off, momentarily twist the key to the left.  To stop the radio and other accessories from working, simply pull the key out.

Once you start the car, the navigation display motors up from its hiding place behind a retractable panel.  Once in position, it is controlled by a large knob on the console surrounded by eight function keys.  This system is called the Audi Multi Media Interface.  It is sort of like the BMW iDrive system, but not quite as elaborate.  I found it to be somewhat easier to master than the BMW system, but it still requires some quality reading time with the owner's manual in order to master all the system's features.

This car has a masterful command of the road.  The ride is smooth and quiet over most road surfaces.  It will absorb ruts and bumps in its path as though they weren't there.  This is all thanks to a marvelous computer controlled air suspension system called the Audi Adaptive Air Suspension system.  It combines a soft ride with excellent handling characteristics for such a large car.  The only car that can equal or top this level of competence is the Mercedes S-Class.

There is a ton of room in the rear seat.  Most people can sit back there and not be able to touch the front seatback with their outstretched legs.   Plenty of comfort back there as well with optional 4-way lumbar support for outboard passengers and standard sunshades that pull up out of the doors.  There is also an available four zone heating and air conditioning system so that each outboard passenger has full control over their individual comfort.  Seat heaters for front and rear passengers are also available.

A large, well tailored trunk brings up the rear.  In our test car, pressing the trunk release on the remote doesn't just unlock the lid, it motors it to full open.  Pressing a large red button on the trunk lid reverses the process until it is closed and locked.

Lots of air bags will make you feel snug and cozy in the event you bit off more than you can chew.  There are:

• dual stage front air bags
• dual threshold front and rear seat belt tensioners
• front and rear side-impact airbags
• Audi SIDEGUARD™ airbag curtain covers the side windows from front to back
• front seat knee bolster airbags.

To help you avoid crashes, there are:

• Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP)
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• Anti Slip Regulation (ASR) traction control
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Hydraulic brake assist.

The more you know about cars, the more you find to like about this big Audi.  This is an executive cruiser of the first order that can hold its own with the best sedans on the planet.

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Specifications 

Standard Equipment
Audi A8L

• 4.2 liter V8 Double Overhead Cam 40 valve Engine with variable valve timing

• 6 Speed Tiptronic Automatic Transmission

• All-wheel drive

• Center limited slip differential

• Adjustable, self-leveling air suspension

• Audio controls on steering wheel

• 16-way power seats for driver and front passenger with memory for 4 drivers

• Bose AM/FM 6-CD stereo with 12 speakers

• DVD navigation system

• OnStar telecommunications service

• Wood and leather interior trim

• Dual zone climate controls with active charcoal air filter

• 4 one-touch power windows

• Xenon high intensity discharge headlamps

• Headlamp high pressure washers

Major Available Options

• Front seat ventilation

• Front Seat Massage

• Power trunk open/close

• Power rear sunshade

• 19" Wheels with P255/40ZR19 performance tires

• Front and Rear Parktronic parking assist

• Dual Rear Seat Climate Control

• Rear Seat Electric Lumbar

• Heated front and rear seats

• Heated steering wheel

• Rear vanity mirrors

• Tire pressure monitoring system

For more information on the A8L, visit www.audi.com 

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