29 Jun 05
Ceramic brakes can be specified
At £58,605 for the standard wheelbase version, or £61,975 for the LWB model, the A8 4.2-litre TDI makes the larger petrol-engined A8 models look utterly pointless. Its performance betters all but the flagship 6.0-litre 12-cylinder, and even there the difference is so small it's negligible.
But for some only petrol engines will do. Audi appeases them with a wide range, starting with the new 3.2-litre V6 FSI petrol. Using techniques acquired from its TDI engines, Audi's FSI direct injection petrol engines offer better performance and consumption figures than non-FSI units. The 3.2-litre underlines this by delivering 258bhp and 243lb ft, a 39bhp and 22lb ft improvement over the previous entry-level engine.
Initially offered only in front-wheel-drive until quattro models arrive early next year, the £47,930 3.2-litre V6 FSI comes with Audi's multitronic CVT transmission. Quoted performance figures are an impressive 7.7sec 0-62mph time, 28.8mpg economy and CO2 emissions of 238g/km, but the way it delivers its performance is somewhat at odds with the A8's otherwise laid-back nature.
The V6 needs revs, and the CVT transmission is the perfect companion in this respect, holding onto gears longer than you might expect. While that's fine in a more sporting model, the 3.2-litre V6 FSI and CVT transmission make for a rather frenetic driving experience. As the 4.2 V8 TDI underlines, luxury cars are about easy, unruffled performance. Technologically impressive the 3.2-litre FSI V6 and CVT may be, but in the luxury car market the turbodiesel is now the king. Now all Audi needs to do is convince the 'rock aristocracy' of it.
