26 Apr 04
An entry-level A8. Well, sort of. The new A8 3.0 is not exactly a stripped-out poor man's way into this prestigious yet nicely low-key range: it comes with the accomplished multitronic CVT gearbox (a new six-speed manual 'box will be offered at a later date) and equipment including adaptive air suspension, parking sensors, cruise control, and MMI (Multi-Media Interface, Audi's more user-friendly answer to BMW's i-Drive). There's 14-way electrically-adjustable front seats, electronic climate control, traction control and an electronic differential lock, head and side airbags, wood trim, a six-disc CD autochanger and full leather upholstery. Can't think of much more you could want, but then this does come at a price - from £46,175, to be exact, or £49,545 for the long-wheelbase model with an extra 130mm of rear legroom and a few more features to keep the rear seat passengers happy: an electric rear window blind, an extra switch in the back to adjust the front passenger seat, a hinged storage compartment in the rear doors, front and rear seat heating and DVD-based navigation, for the chauffeur, presumably.
Audi expects many 3.0-litre models to be sold for chauffeur services and the upper echelon of executive transport businesses. Just don't use the word 'taxi', though in a few years' time, secondhand examples in the right colours will no doubt be plying that trade - there are already a fair few first-generation A8s doing the airport runs in the South East. The first wave of drivers, however, the trusted Jameses, Parkers and gentlemens' gentlemen of the industry, will be pretty happy with the opulence, yet tastefulness, of their workplace. The seats are supportive and cosseting, the cabin ergonomics excellent, the control systems easy to use and when Sir (or Madam) is not in residence, the high-quality audio system can be blasted to great effect, though it's a long stretch across the wide cabin over to the glovebox to load CDs and not something that can be attempted whilst on the move. Not that any professional driver would do such a thing, of course...
