2004 Audi A8 Review

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Introduction

2004 Audi A8 -- Review: Flagship luxury sedans typically showcase an automaker's arsenal of design expertise and technical daring-do, and Audi's A8 has been no exception. The first mass-produced aluminum-bodied car to arrive on the market when it debuted in 1994, the advanced but slow-selling A8 has served as a test bed and showcase of Audi's capability to build one of the world's finest super luxury sedans. Plus, as fans of the film "Ronin" have witnessed, the A8 has proven a fine performer too, especially in S8 sport-tuned guise.

MODEL MIX

For 2004, Audi debuts a completely redesigned A8. Continuing to serve as Audi's most advanced automobile, the 2004 A8 is improved over its predecessor in every way. Initially, the new Audi A8 is offered only in long-wheelbase 4.2 L trim, but for 2005, short-wheelbase 4.2 and long-wheelbase 6.0 L V12 versions will be available.

AIC AutoSite obtained a 2004 Audi A8 4.2 L for a weeklong evaluation, and emerged from the road test impressed with the German automaker's latest technological tour de force. We drove the car in the Los Angeles region, covering city streets, multi-lane freeways and twisty two-lane mountain roads during our test-driving.

V8 ENGINE PERFORMANCE

Starting with the hardware, the 2004 Audi A8 4.2 L is powered by an aluminum 4.2-liter V8 engine that meets ULEV emissions standards. In this application, the V8 makes 330 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 317 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm operating on premium unleaded fuel. Despite a curb weight of 4,399 pounds, acceleration from a standstill to 60 mph takes 6.3 seconds, according to Audi, and the EPA rates the 2004 A8 4.2 L at 17-mpg city and 24-mpg highway. Audi includes scheduled maintenance at no charge during the lifetime of the warranty, which last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

TRANSMISSION AND QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE

Engine power flows through a new six-speed Tiptronic sequential automatic transmission with adaptive Dynamic Shift Program (DSP) technology. The Tiptronic transmission offers two modes: Drive and Sport, the latter delaying upshifts for greater engine revs and producing quicker downshifts during deceleration. Manual gear selection is available by tapping the gear selector up and down in a separate gate. Standard on the 2004 A8 4.2 L is Audi's revered Quattro all-wheel-drive system with a Torsen center differential that continuously varies the torque split from front to rear and side-to-side, depending on road conditions.