A8 - The Stratocruiser from an A7 perspective

[80MGB]

Thought I'd post a few impressions of the loaner I got for the past few days as my A7 was in for its 5,000 mile checkup, using the A7 as my point of reference. The A8 is a beast - a lot of power and presence. Heck, the last time I drove anything this huge was my dad's 1978 Oldsmobile 98. Of course, that's a very unfair comparison except when it comes to mass! The A8 was surprisingly nimble for a car of its size. A bit more body roll than the A7, but again, a very tight ride for the size of this thing. Pickup was impressive, especially as the RPMs odometer progressed from zero, with plenty of reserve for passing. The black interior was very comfortable, and not at all "too dark" for someone whose preference runs to beige interiors. Comfort too, came from the massaging seats - the (communist-country born) wife really got a kick out of that capitalist indulgence with a smile and laugh on her face. The MMI is so consistent that it took just a moment to sync up the bluetooth to the phone and set my radio presets to that in my A7. The only difference was the location of some of the buttons on the center console, a non-issue. The tiptronic shifter was easy to get used to. I did miss the Google map Nav interface, but didn't really use the A8's nav at all since I didn't get out of town. My tastes run to sports cars and a sedan with a sporty feel, but it was a real treat to drive a large sedan like the A8 around over a weekend and appreciate its many performance and luxury highlights. For me, it is further proof of what a great job Audi is doing with its product lineup.

[derfA8L]

Originally Posted by 80MGB

Thought I'd post a few impressions of the loaner I got for the past few days as my A7 was in for its 5,000 mile checkup, using the A7 as my point of reference.

The A8 is a beast - a lot of power and presence. Heck, the last time I drove anything this huge was my dad's 1978 Oldsmobile 98. Of course, that's a very unfair comparison except when it comes to mass! The A8 was surprisingly nimble for a car of its size. A bit more body roll than the A7, but again, a very tight ride for the size of this thing. Pickup was impressive, especially as the RPMs odometer progressed from zero, with plenty of reserve for passing. The black interior was very comfortable, and not at all "too dark" for someone whose preference runs to beige interiors. Comfort too, came from the massaging seats - the (communist-country born) wife really got a kick out of that capitalist indulgence with a smile and laugh on her face.

The MMI is so consistent that it took just a moment to sync up the bluetooth to the phone and set my radio presets to that in my A7. The only difference was the location of some of the buttons on the center console, a non-issue. The tiptronic shifter was easy to get used to. I did miss the Google map Nav interface, but didn't really use the A8's nav at all since I didn't get out of town.

My tastes run to sports cars and a sedan with a sporty feel, but it was a real treat to drive a large sedan like the A8 around over a weekend and appreciate its many performance and luxury highlights. For me, it is further proof of what a great job Audi is doing with its product lineup.

It is an impressive car. You should see/feel how it performs with the rear sports differential and drive select plus dynamic steering package---especially when you put the tranny and suspension in dynamic mode. Still no R8, but you can throw the car around (even a LWB) on backroad twisties and have a blast!!! :^))

[80MGB]

Originally Posted by derfA8L

It is an impressive car. You should see/feel how it performs with the rear sports differential and drive select plus dynamic steering package---especially when you put the tranny and suspension in dynamic mode. Still no R8, but you can throw the car around (even a LWB) on backroad twisties and have a blast!!! :^))

I could definitely see running it through the Appalachian foothills we used to run our Miata through on beautiful spring or autumn days. It definitely is a lot of fun to drive.