Another in a series of my reviews that appeared in the online version of African Americans On Wheels, a now defunct automotive magazine that was included as an insert in the Sunday newspapers of major cities.
This was one of the few times where I requested a particular car for a particular week for a particular reason, and the agency that handled press cars came through. This was a significant achievement because on other times, I’d request a stick and get an automatic, and vice versa. I’d request a wagon or SUV because I had to haul something bulky, and a sedan would show up in my lot. For this particular week, I’d requested a high-end luxury sedan to drive to my wife’s high school reunion. Who wouldn’t do the same given the opportunity?
It definitely garnered its share of admiring glances, and one of my wife’s childhood friends even started to talk about her TT that turned out to be a Nissan NX1600. Don’t get me wrong – we never claimed that we owned the A8, but it was still fun nonetheless. Later that night, we all piled into the A8 and drove over to where my in-laws were taking a swing dancing class. I really wish I’d gotten a picture of that.
The following review was written on May 31, 1999.
The Audi A8 4.2 Quattro stands proudly but anonymously next to its BMW 7-series and Mercedes S-class brethren to vie for your premium dollar. I use the term “anonymously” not because of any inherent failing in the A8 itself, but because Audi is relatively new to this class, and it is still rebuilding the reputation sullied a decade ago by greedy, litigious liars who claimed that their demon Audis were chasing their families through the living room and terrorizing their pets (nee “unintended acceleration”) claims of unintended acceleration. [The portion in strikethrough is what I wrote, but the portion afterward is what actually appeared. Damn editors.]
What these buyers are missing is an advanced premium sedan whose claim to fame is an aluminum alloy space frame and body shell that are 40 percent lighter than similarly sized steel body assemblies while also garnering five-star ratings in crash tests. The smooth, sleek shape is distinctly Audi, although it doesn’t make the visual statement of the compact A4 or the mid-size A6.
A front drive A8 is available with a 230 horsepower, 3.7-liter V8, but an Audi should rightfully have the Quattro all-wheel drive system, especially to set it apart from the rear-wheel-drive-only BMW and Mercedes. The 4.2 Quattro also includes a larger 4.2-liter V8 that pumps out a more-than-respectable 300 horses. A little hesitant off the line, the 4.2 quickly builds steam and pushes you back against your seat while producing lovely, multi-valve V8 noises. Thanks to Audi’s suspension know-how and Quattro, handling and ride are both well above average.
Since everything is power adjustable, just about anyone can find a comfortable driving position. Our A8 came with the new-for-1999 Alcantara and Leather Trim Package, which engulfs passengers in leather and Alcantara suede. Another distinctive feature are sunroof-mounted solar panels that power the ventilation system to keep the interior cool when parked in the sun. The only complaint is a trunk-mounted CD changer – primitive for this price class. Rear seat room is generous, and the A8 has the greatest cargo volume of any import luxury car.
Compared to the BMW and Mercedes, the A8 is better in some ways, wanting in others. But it’s definitely worth a look, and ultimately will earn you bragging rights at the club.
For more information contact 1-800-FOR-AUDI
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: 4-Door Sedan
Engine: 300-horsepower, 4.2 liter V8
Transmission: Five-speed Automatic with Tiptronic
EPA Mileage: 17 city/25 highway
Tested Price: $73,600
Like most Audi’s of its period, this one’s timeless styling still looks great (which I guess is the definition of the term). It would be high on my list of desirable twenty-year old cars but for the high costs of maintenance, which has been commented upon here before with respect to multiple high-year German luxury cars. One major repair could easily eclipse the market value of one of these, as I know from experience with my late great A4 3.2.
I thought these defined expensive, calm cool in a luxury car, (if cool to the point of stone cold at the front where the understatement reached blandness). As Alan has just said above, it’s barely affected by time. Well, not entirely: it wouldn’t really do in these times because it doesn’t shout, but as an art piece that, if we’d not seen it 20 years ago, could theoretically be released today, as it looks just as chic as it did then.
It’s apt that the picture shows it at the bottom of a cliff, as that is where the resale went when 3 or 4 miles from the showroom. Maybe this one was looking for it.
I have to admit you showed more restraint than I would have, Mr D., as I’d have not only lied about the A8 but referred to it with vague intimations that it was only my runabout car. Hell, the nightmare of a school reunion, why not create a little frisson? Anyone who bothered to check on you would be a person who hadn’t got much going in their life, surely!
This was a very good era for Audi design, as was the Bauhaus era that followed. The only bad thing about such a sterile design is that it does nothing to hide this car’s longitude-FWD proportions. The modern designs do a better job of cleaning that up.
Loved the S8 variant that I had recently saved but ultimately had an unfortunate demise by a careless driver shaving the front end off. The S version really made things come alive for this chassis and I prefer it to my new replacement D3 W12 A8.
Like yourself, I too currently have a D2 S8. I also have a D4 W12 and a B7 S4 Avant. While the S4 is the sports car (wagon!) of the bunch and the W12 oozes luxury and refinement, my heart is always left in the S8. It’s big without being too big, and fast without being too fast. It’s definitely the mama bear of my trio, because everything is just right. I hope to never be without this wonderful machine. The added plus of ownership is it totally flies under the radar, and people who know, know it’s one cool ride. Some people don’t have a clue that it’s a 19 year old car. Timeless indeed.
I can’t say I ever loved the styling on this era Audi(they looked basically carryover from the 80s stuff with some requisite 90s smoothing) but I do like them, what’s interesting to me is the styling on the Cadillac Seville bears a strong resemblance to what Audi had, and its front wheel drive V8 even gives them similar proportions, yet this era was Audi’s (re)ascent into luxury car supremacy, while the Seville is firmly within Cadillac’s descent into irrelevance, in spite of the blip of attractive European styling the Seville possessed.
Is that the Audi from Ronin?
The one they had to pretend couldn’t catch a Citroen?
Same generation, but it was the S8 and they had to pretend De Niro in a Peugeot 405 could keep up with it.