I've been a fan of Audis' understated design and sublime engines since the 1970s. Their new A8 epitomises decades of this less-is-more design philosophy. Edgy lines mute the big car's obvious power like a good suit should. (If you can say this fast, you have vorsprung).
Or so I thought, until I commuted with the 2011 model A8 to South Africa's oldest newspaper, 'The Witness'.
Luckily, for you Audi has now added three engines to the A8's range in South Africa.
See, the reason I list the torque first is because this tells you how big an engine's muscles are, while Mr Watts' kilos tell you how fast the engine can move those muscles. 800 Newton metres are seriously big muscles, and being able to flex 'em at 258 kiloWatts means the 4.2 TDI A8 can tow half a cargo ship. Really. Tugboat engines typically start from 500kW.
As for how much they cost? I realise this is trite, but in the A8 range, if you have to ask, you cannot afford it. Besides, an A8 endowes you with instant street cred. And that really is a priceless feeling.
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| Audi has been stylin' instant respect on the street for a long time |
There, in the car park, I learned that what a jaded motoring hack sees as subtle design, the rest of the world sees as The! Boss! Man's! Car!
Serijas. The security guard even made space among the exec's roofed parking so that the A8 did not have to mix it with the rest of the hirelings' jalopies.
A man can very quickly get used to this kind of fawning. But here's the thing - the guard's offer does not extend to any of the other German models.
Now, with him working at a paper which has been in business since 1846, I think his discriminating taste carries the veto vote.
Hence, if it is respect on the streets you're after, get the Audi A8.
Now, with him working at a paper which has been in business since 1846, I think his discriminating taste carries the veto vote.
Hence, if it is respect on the streets you're after, get the Audi A8.
Of course, with the oil prices edging ever higher, (as I told you it would in 2007 already), you may not necessarily want all the conspicuous consumption which the A8's fantastic V8 offers with its stratified injectors.
Luckily, for you Audi has now added three engines to the A8's range in South Africa.
The 3.0 V6 FSI has 420 Nm and 213kW, all supercharged. Fun, but an eina when refueling, that.
The 3.0 TDI V6 has 550 Nm and 184 kW. A frugal foot will get you 15km per litre of diesel. Nice.
The 4.2 TDI V8 has 800 Nm and 258 kW. This is, like, WHOOHA! And it wrings 12km/l too ...but, it is all a bit too much.
See, the reason I list the torque first is because this tells you how big an engine's muscles are, while Mr Watts' kilos tell you how fast the engine can move those muscles. 800 Newton metres are seriously big muscles, and being able to flex 'em at 258 kiloWatts means the 4.2 TDI A8 can tow half a cargo ship. Really. Tugboat engines typically start from 500kW.
As for how much they cost? I realise this is trite, but in the A8 range, if you have to ask, you cannot afford it. Besides, an A8 endowes you with instant street cred. And that really is a priceless feeling.
