Audi Debuts New 2011 A8!

As far as top-end luxury sedans go, I've always preferred Audi's A8 over pretty much anything else. I figured I'd get this out of the way first, because I've got a bit of a bias on this topic.  I find Merc's S-class too gaudy, BMW's 7-series too new-money new-edge, Jag's XJ too feline, and the VW Phaeton too out-of-production.

The Audi A8 has always blended what I consider to be the best attributes of a super-luxury car the best.  It was always expensive looking, but not in a loud, annoying Chris Bangle sort of way.  It was relatively restrained; it relied on good proportions and clean detailing to be attractive, rather than the latest stupid styling trend.  The interior was heavenly yet fairly simple, the engine choices were always good, and Quattro 4WD really used to set the A8 apart from the 7-series and S-class competitors.

These days, though, the picture isn't so pretty.  The current A8 is going on it's 8th year of production, and the competition had moved on.  After all, you can get a 4Matic S-class and an xDrive 750i/iL now, so AWD's no longer an ISP.  And 350bhp used to be a lot, but now the S550's got 382.  And the 750i's twin-turbo V8 cranks out an "are you serious?" 402bhp.  And, rather embarassingly, the Hyundai Genesis's home-brewed Tau V8 puts out 385.

So it was high time for a new A8 to return.  And maybe to change the game up a little.  You can decide for yourself if the new one is going to do that, but what we do have for you now are some pictures of the brand-spanking-new A8, and a whole slew of very technical, very German details.

Your first glance at the A8 will probably bring you feelings of familiarity.  After careful analysis, what I've determined the A8 looks like is... a big, fat Audi.  The taillights look like the ones on the A6; the headlights are stuffed full of cool-looking LED's, and it's got that graceful arcing roof line that's graced the Audi line since the C5-generation A6 back in 1998.  It's not unattractive, but I'd say it probably has less road presence than the current one.  It remains to be seen how it looks in the flesh, of course.

And that's really all there is to say about the styling, honestly.  It's just there.  But then again, they're all starting to look sort of the same, aren't they?  What's really fascinating about the A8 are some of the small details.

For instance, those headlights?  They are 100% LED lit.  The low beams are a flowing arc of 10 LED's, the DRL's are 44 white and yellow LED's in a light tube, and the high beam is four super-powerful LED's in a reflector array.  They have their own cooling fan and heat sink, and emit light at about 5,500K, which is pretty close to daylight.  I wouldn't be surprised if they could make you a latte, too.

What's most significant about the new A8 is perhaps that it takes a step in a different direction than it's competition.  What I mean is, while the 7 and the S and the XJ are all getting bigger, heavier, and more complicated, the A8 is getting, bigger, lighter, and more efficient.  Which is a pretty neat trick indeed.  The A8 is still based around Audi's ASF (Aluminum Space Frame), but the basic unibody has been refined to be both lighter and more rigid.

The powertrain, rather than being revolutionary, is just the next development of the A8's current powertrain.  The engine is the same 4.2L FSI (Direct Injection) 32v V8, but with a few key changes.  Audi cites reduced internal friction, mainly in the cam drive chains and the auxiliaries.  There's a new two-step variable pressure oil pump for increased efficiency, and the 4.2 retains a rather high 12.5:1 compression ratio thanks to the effects of direct injection.  This all adds up to 372bhp and 328 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.  The transmission is a brand-new 8-speed planetary gear automatic, with a wide 7.0:1 overall gear spread.  Other tricks include an available Sport Differential, basically turning the rear axle into an electronic torque-vectoring unit.  And there's one thing about the new A8's drivetrain that's so freaking cool, I'm just going to quote it verbatim from the press release:

"The dynamic shift program (DSP) that controls the transmission features the automatic operating modes D and S. A pioneering innovation from Audi is its networking with the detailed route data supplied by the optional MMI navigation plus system. By means of this data the DSP incorporates upcoming curves in its gearshift strategy – it avoids unnecessary gear changes on narrow roads, for example."

The new A8 shares it's chassis design with the new A4, in that the engine is actually behind the front axle, rather than in front of it.  This has a few benefits:  much more equal weight distribution, a longer wheelbase and shorter overhands for a more solid ride and better space efficiency, and so on and so forth.  Combined with the 40:60 static front-rear torque split and the trick rear diff, this should spell a huge improvement in the ride and handling over the previous A8 generation.  Of course, Audi Drive Select is an option on the A8, to tailor the chassis and powertrain responses to your current mood/lunar alignment.  And, of course, the entire front suspension and engine subframe are entirely aluminum, as well as most of the rear suspension structure, which reduces weight near the hubs - the best place to take it from for agile handling.  Adaptive Air Dampers hold up the car at all four corners, adjusting instantly to road conditions.  The brakes are internally vented at all four corners and suitably massive.  The Stability control has On, Off, and Sport settings as well.

Now, at this point, I have to say that the power output isn't that impressive.  372bhp just isn't really enough for the class, much less enough for the A8 to stand out against it's competitors.  But the claimed 15% fuel efficiency increase will certainly be a welcome change.  Expect the range to expand to include other engines, most obviously being V6 and V8 diesels, but probably also a supercharged gas V6 and maybe an S-line hot-rod motor of some sort.  Rumors persist that Aud's working on a new FSI twin-turbo V8...

Meanwhile, inside the new A8's interior, it's business as usual.  By which I mean, of course the A8 has the nicest interior in it's class.  No one does an interior quite like Audi, and the A8 is a big old German punch to the face to those that disagree.  Just look at it.

Besides sheer visual appeal, the A8's inside has got a lot else going for it.  Audi's MMI (which is their logical response to iDrive) has been revised to include handwriting recognition.  This means you can write an address for the navigation system with your finger, rather than scrolling around a menu with a little plastic knob.  The MMI screen is tucked into the dashboard, and the 8" high-resolution LCD screen swings up with the push of a button.  Controls have been simplified, and there are more redundant controls for frequently-used functions.

There's also multi-colored LED ambient lighting, a keyless push-button ignition, 4-zone automatic climate control, and 12-way adjustable power seats.  But that's just the standard seats; the "comfort" seats move to and fro in 22 different was, which I find to be a bit mind-numbing.  The optional seats also have a programmable pneumatic massage function, the rear seats are power adjustable, seat heaters are available for all passengers, and of course there are power sunshades.

As with any ultra-lux sedan, you could probably write a book about all the cool things in the interior these days, but I must also mention the optional stereo.  Audi still uses Bose stereos in some of their models, but recent Audis have been outsourced to audio experts Bang & Olufsen.  The A8's optional stereo uses 19 speakers to pump more than 1,400 watts of stereo bliss into the cabin.  Audi was kind enough to offer a speaker placement diagram, and frankly it's a bit insane.

It looks to me like the A8 is set to take on it's competitors full steam.  I would recommend they bring some bigger guns (under the hood) to the party, but knowing Audi they have some surprises in store for us in that department.  The basic car itself seems like a class-leader, but time and sales figures will tell.  Still, what a way for Audi to finish off their centenial celebration!