With Valet Car Parkers Everywhere The Audi A8 Luxo Car is the Best

12/11/96

Here's what you get with the 1997 Audi A8 luxury sedan. We think it's just about the best in its class, as does CAR & DRIVER's irrascable critic Brock Yates, who says, "a near flawless interpretation of what a modern luxury automobile should be." Additionally, all our valet car parking friends feel the same way.

The V8 motor is 3.7 liters, front wheel drive, no torque steer. The motor is aluminum, like most of the car, so watch where you park it. It's finish/detailing is world class, Teutonic thoroughness at its peak. Wood accents in the interior, brushed aluminum cup holders, "jet fighter" instrumentation lights that look like Tokyo at night. Window shade pull downs for sunlight repellent. The radio station call letters come up on the console, 14-position adjustable power seats, bose stereo, CD changer in trunk, polished wheels, side airbags, computer controlled five-speed automatic transmission. It goes effortlessly to 60mph in 7 seconds and corners like an Audi A4 coupe.

It weighs 4,000 pounds and is an absolute blast to drive on a trip. The big back seat is sumptuous, inviting, and cries out to be inhabited by warm bodies anxious for a luxury drive anywhere. I had to make a trip clear across town in Los Angeles, which normally I would absolutely hate to consider, but with the A8 I couldn't wait to get started.

Yes, the styling is early Lexus LS400 . . . kinda blah . . . but this is being rectified in the 1998 model A8, which we hear will be more agressively styled along the lines of the pugnacious A4. Audi script writers describe the "look" as "elegance without arrogance." I guess they're right. It has an 0.29 drag coeffecient, which is very good for a big car.

For definitive rankings on the big over $40,000 four-wheeled marshmallow, we went to the "first impression" experts . . . the car hikes at some of the west coast's poshest watering holes. Loggia, Studio city, Ca.: Bob says, "can I keep it a little longer?" Las Brisas, Laguna Beach, Ca.: Rudy says, "we've driven 'em all, Rolls, Cads . . . the Audi is the most solid." Planet Hollywood, Costa Mesa, Ca.: Larry says, "all the big shots come with their super toys and none are as docile and classy as this here Audi. The Palm, Beverly Hills, Ca.: Raoul says, "man we don't see many of these big Audis, but when we do, we fight to park it." Flamingo Coast, Irvine, Ca.: Chet says, "I know some patrons who'd love to turn in their Bimmers for the Audi A8." Twin Palm, Newport Beach, Ca.: Sydney says, "when no one is looking, I nap in the big back seat."

There you have it . . . the people who know their cars say the Audi A8 is king of the big bucks sedan class.

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel