http://www.audiworld.com/news/10/a8-first-drive/



"We also had the chance to sample the 350bhp (590lb/ft max torque) 4.2 TDI in the A8 (unfortunately we never had the chance to try the 3.0 TDI, which would be the most likely candidate for US import) and can say definitively that it’s far and away the most un-diesel engine ever sampled. Not only does it not sound (or smell) like a diesel, it doesn't drive like a diesel. The engine note is very similar to the 4.2 FSI, perhaps a bit more baritone. Unlike many diesels, there is zero lag between depressing the pedal and engine response. The car accelerates incredibly fast. Audi claim that the run to 62 is over in 5.2 seconds (yes, it’s faster than the 4.2 FSI gas engine). Given the appropriately taller final drive to compensate for the lower max RPM of the 4.2TDI, the car loafs along at very low revs most of the time. With all of the torque this engine generates, combined with substantially superior fuel economy (and lower CO2 emissions) compared to the gas engine, we genuinely hope Audi can manage to bring this engine to the USA.

With that kind of acceleration, we were happy to find that the A8 has fantastic brakes. Pedal feel is good, and effort is light. The new car will have various levels of braking assist for panic stops and such. Along those lines, the A8 can pre-tension its seatbelts if, by using the built in radar proximity sensors, it determines that a collision is imminent. It can also apply brakes and stiffen the suspension to stabilize the car if it feels it needs to.

Given the size of the new A8, its still ultimately a driver’s car. It’s possible to drive in a very spirited manner, as we sampled on the tight and twisty roads around Marbella Spain. In S mode, and shifted manually, the car can be driven, and it responds very well to driver input (more so with the ESP stability control switched off, more on that later.) and becomes almost sporty in feel. On the highway, it would be hard to think of a more comfortable environment for travel. The A8 is incredibly quiet and smooth. This would be the ultimate long distance car.
We’re looking forward to spending more time with this incredible car, so stay tuned."

 

Can't wait to see what the S8 is capable of....The interior/exterior looks fantastic.

 

The next S8 is going to be fantastic, can`t wait for it as well.

 

a few more test drive photos:

 

damn, that 4.2 TDI sounds like a blast!

 

another nice report:

http://www.fourtitude.com/news/publish/Features/article_5661.shtml

 

the exterior doesnt do it for me. i always loved the D2 body s8 the best. the a4 is always the best looking somehow. as if the design theme doesnt translate well as it gets larger (a6 and a8) the interior however is awesome, minus the steering wheel.

 

The previous generation A8 and even the one before that looked amazing imo but on this one Audi have really messed up.. The BMW 7 and Merc S look so much better.
It looks so sad with those front lights and it also has this "like an A4 but bigger" sydrome.

 

my point exactly!

 

sad? i think the LED headlights look pretty evil.
the rear lights remind of the A4, that´s true, but the rest of the silhouette is just a nice evolution of the old one. looks very fresh, even a bit coupe-ish, but that´s just my 2c.

 

That interior is stunning, typical Audi, the exterior looks so-so, I'm sure with a nice sport package or the S8 will look terrific.

 

Same here.

 

that interior is nice. Why cant the BMW do that w/ the 7?

 

I really like the Audi but just as before with the previous generation car, I think I would much rather have the S class which has the plutocrat look and still great performance and ride, or the 7 series if I was mainly going for technology and for performance. And now the XJ hits it out of the park, and it does the exec sports sedan very well and manages to look so much newer and innovative than the Audi does.

 

very nice new commercial:

The new A8 - The Art of Progress:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZICE...layer_embedded