Autos Reviews, Sports Cars and Pictures: April 2011

2011 Audi A8 4.2 FSI Quattro - Driving Impressions
The new third-generation A8 gets a new attitude.

By Sam Mitani / Photos by Jim Fets

February 3, 2010
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2011 Audi A8 4.2 FSI Quattro Video >>

Malaga, Spain—Every eight years since 1994, Audi has invited automotive journalists from around the world to an exotic location in Europe to sample an all-new version of its flagship sedan, the A8. For the third-generation model, the company picked Malaga, Spain, where the sun is usually shining during winter months. But on the day of our drive, the rain came down quite hard. Not a problem, as the new A8 exhibited excellent handling on the area’s slick roads, thanks in part to the proven Quattro awd system. It was immediately evident that the car retained all the virtues of the past model, with a smooth ride, good power and a quiet cabin.

Powering the A8 is an improved version of the company’s trusty 4.2-liter V-8. It now delivers 472 bhp at 6800 rpm and 328 lb.-ft. of torque at 3500 to all four wheels, and has 13 percent better fuel economy than the current A8. Depress the throttle and power comes on effortlessly, transmitted through a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Tiptronic gearbox can be switched to manual mode, where gearchanges are relatively quick. Simply leaving the shifter in full automatic sport mode, however, gets the job done quite well on most twisty roads. Audi claims that the new A8 can get to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds and reach an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.

In the handling department, the new A8 is first rate. The ASF aluminum space-frame body structure is rigid (15 percent stiffer than the current model) and remarkably light, helping the big sedan weigh in at a relatively svelte 4045 lb. The new “Dynamic” steering system is responsive and quick, helping the car exhibit excellent turn-in and feel much smaller than its 202-in. overall length would indicate. There’s a bit of understeer through tight turns, but the overall balance exceptional. The air suspension, comprised of a 5-link front setup a trapezoidal-link rear, has four settings, and we naturally selected “performance” for the twisty roads and “comfort” and “auto” on the open highway. In performance mode, ride quality is firm, but the car sticks through corners.

The 2011 Audi A8 looks meaner than before, especially from the front. A unique headlight design gives the car a meaner look, while the large rectangular grille makes the car instantly recognizable as an A8. Inside the sheet metal, the new A8 remains a picture of class and elegance. All the controls are now positioned higher on the center console, making them easier to reach for the driver. In fact, most of the controls can be operated without taking your eyes off the road for more than an instant. There are plenty of new elements here, including an adaptive high-beam control and a shapely shift knob.

But perhaps the most significant of these is MMI touch. MMI touch is a small pad on the center console. When inputting a location for the navigation system, you simply write out each individual letter on the pad, and your entry is confirmed by voice. I tried it, and while it does take some getting used to—it kept thinking my “R” was “P”—overall it’s pretty slick. Audi claims once you get used to it, you can input entire addresses without taking your eyes off the road. The pad doubles as controls for your radio-station settings.

Audi’s new 2011 A8 is a better, more spirited car than the model it replaces, boasting lots of technology and excellent performance. When it hits U.S. showrooms this fall, priced at about $80,000, it’s poised to grab a bigger piece of the full-size luxury-sedan pie than ever before.