A quick question for all the elite members of this board that are in the know.

Will the 2012 A8 have the HUD as an option? I know the A7 does, but I did not see it in the order guide that der4fl posted.

Anyone with any insight? If its not on there is it odd that a feature such as that would be available on the lower tier cars and not the flagship? Or is that just the way the good germans are.

This will be my first A8 after coming from 3yrs in an LS460. I havent ordered yet, I had my deal ready to close back in December, until I found out that the Google Earth would not be available until 2012 MY. (Thanks board!) I am salivating at the chance to get the A8. We dont see many here in downtown Ft. Lauderdale strangely enough.

Any previous LS460 owners that care to give a comparative analysis?

Thanks in advance.

Opps correction on the screen name it was DerfA8L ...sorry guy!

It's not in being added yet :-( don't know why not. Even my dealer was surprised about that.

I learnt yesterday that they have added little things like led illumination of the rear number late, and optional dual pane privacy glass WITH UV protection. So the options lis is slowly expanding.

If you fancy an interesting read, pop over to the UK Audi site an open up the A8 brochure. When it comes time to order your car, try throwing in some option codes of things you cannot normally get and see if the system will accept it . Wouldn't it be funny if the order was accepted !

I currently have a 2010 LS460 (SWB) AWD and while we looked at the A8 we ended up ordering an A7. Prior to the Lexus we had 4 A6s in a row. Based on the extended test drive I have the current observations...

In short totally different cars... I attribute the Lexus purchase to a momentary lapse of reason. The ride is sublime and without effort. Shifts almost undetectable. No drama and no emotion. I tell friends its like driving a coffin.

The Lexus feels like a large car (and it is), but I do marvel at the engineering built into the car. Everything works perfectly and not a single rattle or squeak from anywhere with the car. Its as solid as anything I've ever driven.

The A8 feels like a small car. If it wasn't for the interior I would swear it was my 2008 A6 in terms of now nimble it is. While I wished the engine had another 30-50 hp on paper the truth is you are not going to miss it. Its quick and very responsive. You have a much better feel for the road and in turn the car is really fun to drive.

The downside of the A8 compared to the LS was interior noise, trunk space and price. In the end we went with the A7 due to the trunk (wife golfs), technology (HUD, Google Earth, etc..), price and wanted a V6 once again.

I'm ignoring interior and exterior styling as that's subjective.

You have to ask yourself a simply do you enjoy driving or do you enjoy being driven.