New Audi A8 To Remain A Different Kind Of Luxobarge
And with the Phaeton rumored to be coming back like déjà vu, why would Audi mess with the A8’s lean, mean luxo-niche? Motorauthority reports that the new A8’s curb weight will top out at 4,180 lb, down from the current 4.2 Quattro’s 4,409 lb. Even crazier? There’s serious consideration being given to a front-wheel drive, turbocharged-four base model with 230 hp pulling a meager 3,630 lb. But this brand blemish is being built to satisfy European emissions standards, not the MKS “crowd” in the US market. A three-liter V6 with 290 hp could make it to the US, complimenting the 372 hp 4.2 V8, with the W12 a solid “maybe”. Crazies and one-uppers will have to wait for a 620 hp 5-liter V10 exclusive to the S8. The new Quattro system features a “torque vectoring SportDifferential,” and styling will be . . . different. “The first generation was very dogmatic and product-design-like. With the second generation, the theme was ‘elegance’—softer, flowing lines. The upcoming third generation will be stronger, sharper, and more precise,” says Audi design boss Stefan Sielaff.
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I have to ask... Besides the discussion about displacement.. When is a luxobarge.. not a luxobarge? And how on earth.. could the next A8 not be a LUXObarge. Thats like BMW trying to convince me that the 7 series is lighter, faster and more manuervable. At about 5000lbs, somehow I dont see that FAT PIG taking corners.. at about 105mph.
qfrog - oops, its a 1.8T, not a 2.0T transplanted in accords - you say luxobarge like its a bad thing...
Forgive me.. Im what you would call a DRIVER. See, out of all of the luxobarges (german fat ass cars walking around, and I do say walking, cause with that weight, no one is doing any serious speeds) Audi I think has some of the nicest, more coherant desings. I guess it also helps that their interiors are pretty amazing. With that said.. (not that that fact excludes them) a Luxo barge is a luxo barge is a luxo barge. Just the same as a Maser GT. They both are as big as a Town Car. Both cost about 6-7x as much and both do.. relatively the same thing: Coddle the driver in such a way that gives it virtually no driver involvement, and relagated to taking perfectly nice corners.. at a meager 55mph while worrying about sliding into a wall. Even If I had the moolah.. I wouldnt get one. Id like my heart to skip a beat when I pass a Tahoe at about 85 sideways on a entrance ramp.. Thats what driving is about.. not resting ya arm on the door and talking to ya chinese banker about ya weekend golf plans.
Execute, and they are heroes. Fail to execute, and they will look like another GM.