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By
EWAN KENNEDY
11 December 2006
Midway through 2006, Audi added the option of a turbo-diesel to
its topline A8 series. Thus becoming the first of the big German marques
to offer an economy engine in its top line model.
Diesels are renowned for their low fuel consumption, but there
are those who question the need for fuel economy in a $210,000
motor car. That’s missing the point, because low fuel
consumption also means lower emissions of greenhouse gases and
rich people are often looked upon as trendsetters.
Audi's catchline is that it advances through technology (Vorsprung
durch Technik in German) and the marque has long had a reputation
for leading the way with the latest in high-tech automotive
engineering. Those who love to have the latest may well embrace
the new Audi A8 diesel.
Other major high-tech features of the Audi A8, in petrol as
well as diesel guise, are all-aluminium construction and all-wheel
drive. The latter using Audi's famed quattro system to better
differentiate the amount of power provided to each wheel from
moment to moment.
But enough of the history and philosophy behind the new Audi A8
diesel. What's it like as a car? Or to be more precise as a luxury
limousine, because this machine really does sit at the pinnacle of
the Audi lineup.
To find out, we have just spent a week at the wheel of an Audi
A8, as well as some time riding in the back seat to find out how
the pampered few travel. Indeed, let's start in the rear seat.
There really is a feeling of quality and luxury in the leather,
wood and aluminium interior.
The seats are set out for two rather than three, though a third
can travel in reasonable comfort should there be the need to carry
five.
There's plenty of stretch out space from the point of view of
width and headroom. Legroom is plentiful, though not quite to
stretch-limo standards, should those sitting in the front seats
chose to have their seats a long way back they will start to
intrude into the rear-seat space. Not badly so, but if your bosses
are back there it would be a good idea to pay attention to the
amount of room they have!
Ride comfort and noise reduction are features of this large
Audi. It’s at its best on smooth motorways because its natural
territory is the high-speed autobahns in Germany, but it can cope
with the vagaries of rough Australian roads pretty well. Though
there's a deliberate sporting note in the way the suspension is
set up the system is variable and generally smoothes everything
right out.
Which brings us back to the driving seat, because that really
is the only place from which to sample a big German limo. Audi A8
has heaps of road grip and the relatively low weight achieved by
using an aluminium body means its much more nimble than you would
expect for a car of this size.
Steering is responsive and there's good feel through the wheel
as well as by way of the seat of the pants. A sports machine it
isn’t, but it comes a lot closer than you might expect.
Power for the Audi A8 turbo-diesel comes from a big 4.2-litre
V8 turbocharged unit with a hefty 650 Newton metres between 1600
rpm and 3500 rpm, so almost all drivers will have the engine in
its most efficient range virtually all of the time.
The engine has a tremendous surge of energy and can power from
a standstill to 100 km/h in only 5.5 seconds. Better still, it can
use its enormous torque to overtake cleanly and safely, as well as
to haul the big car up hills almost as though they are not there.
Only at idle do you notice that this is a diesel car, and then
only those outside are likely to hear the slight diesel rattle
generated by the big V8.
Fuel consumption during our testing typically ran at eight to
nine litres per hundred kilometres on open country roads and
motorways, and climbed to a still respectable 11 litres per
hundred in suburban and city driving. These excellent figures
indicate the big advances made in TDI engines in the last few
years.
Audi A8 turbo-diesel is a superb car that provides an excellent
display of high-technology automotive engineering. Anyone who
wants to be seen as a trendsetter and who cares for the air we all
breath should at least arrange to give one a serious test drive.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
A8L 3.2 FSI 3.2-litre four-door sedan - $159,000
A8 3.7-litre quattro four-door sedan - $169,950
A8 4.2-litre quattro four-door sedan - $203,000
A8 TDI 4.2-litre diesel quattro four-door sedan - $210,000
A8L 4.2-litre quattro four-door sedan - $218,100
A8L 6.0-litre W12 quattro four-door sedan - $326,000
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard on all models
Air Conditioning: Standard on all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard on all models
CD Player: Standard on all models
Central Locking: Standard on all models
Cruise Control: Standard on all models
Driver Airbag: Standard on all models
Passenger Airbag: Standard on all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard on all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Audi A8 TDI 4.2-litre diesel quattro
four-door sedan)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 4.134 litres
Configuration: V8
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 16.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 83.0 x 95.5mm
Maximum Power: 240kW @ 3750rpm
Maximum Torque: 650Nm @ 1600-3500rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: All-wheel-drive
Manual Transmission: Six-speed tiptronic
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed tiptronic
Final Drive Ratio: 3.403:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5062mm
Wheelbase: 2944mm
Width: 1894mm
Height: 1444mm
Turning Circle: 12.1 metres
Kerb Mass: 1945kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 90 litres
Towing Ability: 750kg (2300kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Four-link, double upper and lower wishbones, air
suspension, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Trapezoidal link with wishbone, air suspension,
anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 5.9 secs
Standing 400 Metres: 14.0 secs
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Consumption - Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 9.7 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/unlimited km
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Marque Publishing Company
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