Audi means business with new A8

Using a naming convention not unlike another of its Germanic rivals, Audi has built it's entire range on this principle.

From the compact A2, to the sporty A3 hatch, up to the popular medium-sized A4, Audi has the major bases covered. There's the luxury A6, which could be described as the BMW 5-series' arch nemesis, and lastly the A8.

Audi's A8 is the flagship model. It's expensive, it's big and it's a serious luxo-mobile. Unfortunately for Audi however, the current model A8 hasn't exactly been setting the sales charts on fire. This is why the marque is keen to release info on the all-new A8, in a bid to create what the PR boffins would term 'hype'. Let's have a look and see if it's hype worthy, then.

When Audi's A8 design team set out in creating an all-new model, it had four prime areas which it deemed worthy of improvement: design, lightweight construction, dynamism and electronics.

One would assume that the atypical luxury car buyer wants luxury and simplicity, with these other aspects to follow on and, as such, these four areas have one thing in common - they all adhere to a notion of ease.

Easy on the eyes, easy acceleration, easy handling. Or so Audi say. The new A8 won't be on sale in Australia until March 2003, making its first local appearance at the 2002 Sydney Motor Show, whcih runs from 17-27 October.

Still, Audi was kind enough to release all sorts of interesting tidbits on the new 2003 model, as well as a bunch of new photos.

Audi wanted a new look for its flagship model, and while the upcoming A8 retains much of the Audi image, it also has a touch of Volkswagen Phaeton to it, particularly towards the front end.

The double-xenon globes, set up behind clear-smoked lens look modern and, in general, the overall look is quite pleasing. It's got a more sporty stance, too, with the rear-section quite raised, negating the need for a wing.

The tail lights are Audi through-and-through, and the generous rear wheel arches add more of that sporting look. The jury's out on the new-look wheels though - about half the people we've spoken to love them, while the other half said they're tacky and contrast too much with the the cars' pleasing lines.

As far as features go, the new A8 looks set to take the fight to reigning luxury car makers, Mercedes and BMW.

Features:

• 6-speed tiptronic transmission with Dynamic Shift Program and Sport program

• Quattro permanent four-wheel drive

• Aluminium running gear with 4-link front suspension and trapezoidal-link rear suspension

• Adaptive air (pneumatic) suspension with continuously variable damper settings. Choice of three modes

• New, high-performance brake system with electro-mechanical parking brake

• Automatic tyre pressure monitoring system

• Newly developed ASF-type aluminium body now offering 60 percent better rigidity

• Optimised safety technology with two-stage airbag activation for the driver and front passenger and the Audi SIDEGUARD head-level airbag system – as standard.

• Active head restraints at the front

• Adaptive light, an innovative form of lighting technology with cornering light

• Adaptive cruise control: radar-assisted distance control

• Integrated MMI (Multi Media Interface) operating concept with self-evident, consistent operating logic

• Advanced key access and authorisation system

• One-touch memory, driver-oriented personalisation

Like many next-generation German luxury cars, the adaptive suspension will entice many, yet the new lever-less electronic handbrake, radar-assisted cruise-control and automatic tyre pressure monitoring are all pleasant surprises.

One of the goals the Audi design team set out to achieve was to create an easy-to-drive car. Now, premium luxury cars are inherently heavy - electronically adjustable seats, adaptive air suspension and complex multi media systems all add to the bulk - this particular model weighs in at almost 1800kg.

Even so, Audi is claiming the new A8 drives like a much smaller and more nimble car.

Obviously, the adaptive suspension plays a large role in achieving this, as does the four-link front suspension, with double upper and lower wishbones, and an anti-roll bar.

But the engines play equally important roles, removing any lethargy that the chubby Audi may have had to deal with.

As is fitting for luxury cars these days, potential buyers will have a choice of two V8s at the models launch, though rumour has it that parent company Volkswagen may endow the Audi cruiser with its stonking 6.0-litre W12.

The two V8s on offer have a capacity of 3.7 and 4.2-litres, both making use of fully electronic sequential injection, courtesy of a Motronic ME 7.1.1 engine management system.

The engine's also have coordinated torque control, which goes hand-in-hand with permanent all-wheel drive, drive-by-wire throttle control, cylinder-selective knock control using two sensors, and dual overhead camshafts.

The 3.7-litre powerplant creates some 206kW of power @ 6500rpm, while a torque peak of 360Nm occurs @ 3750rpm. Capable of 250km/h, the 3.7-litre V8 sprints to 100km/h from standstill in 7.3 seconds.

Of course, if you opt for the bigger 4.2-litre engine, you'll arrive at 100km/h one second sooner - or in 6.3 seconds. 246kW of power is generated @ 6500rpm, while peak torque is 250rpm lower than its sibling's, with 430Nm @ 3500rpm.

The A8's copious amounts of power are put the ground via a 6-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic function. It constantly assures an optimum transition between the various speed stages, working in conjunction with an hydraulically operated torque converter (with lock-up clutch).

If you really want to get that Le Mans feeling going, you can get shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel as an optional extra.

While the A8 is still quite a ways off, the new car has all the appropriate gadgets and doodads, which are likely to have BMW and Mercedes Benz watching with great interest.

No prices have been released, but expect to pay around $180,000 for the 3.7-litre model and perhaps $200,000 for the 4.2-litre Audi. Entry level prices for the BMW 7-series start at $174,000, so Audi will have to rely on more than just badge value.

So, with the new and more athletic A8 currently in testing and due for showrooms in early 2003, is the opposition shaking with fear? It's unlikely, at least in the short-term.

The current A8 is a slow seller in Australia, but Audi hopes the all-new A8 will change all that, and perhaps give the rest of the range, including the new A4 Cabriolet, a bump start in the new year.