The Audi A8 is the first series production car to feature an all aluminum construction, known simply as the Audi Spaceframe technology. It embodies the automaker's belief of making cars lighter, in order to be more dynamic, yet efficient at the same time.
And it's not very often we get to see models undergoing two facelifts in their life cycle - especially within the span of one year.
Just last December, we had a go in the 4.0-litre variant which served up an opulent experience. And it remains the flagship that we'd love to drive as much as being chauffeured in.
Now, Audi's crown jewel has yet again been given the special treatment. It is the first to feature the marque's latest lighting technology - the Audi Matrix LED headlight.Up close and Personal
On the surface, it appears that the A8 has undergone a mere change of head and tail lamps. Even the trained eye will find it hard to spot the differences on first glance.
And it's not very often we get to see models undergoing two facelifts in their life cycle - especially within the span of one year.
Just last December, we had a go in the 4.0-litre variant which served up an opulent experience. And it remains the flagship that we'd love to drive as much as being chauffeured in.
Now, Audi's crown jewel has yet again been given the special treatment. It is the first to feature the marque's latest lighting technology - the Audi Matrix LED headlight.Up close and Personal
On the surface, it appears that the A8 has undergone a mere change of head and tail lamps. Even the trained eye will find it hard to spot the differences on first glance.
It is as though Audi designers have used an iron to smoothen out the sharp creases - giving the new car more refined looks and character.
Debuting on the A8, the Matrix LED headlamps can intelligently switch from high to low beam (and vice versa) to avoid glaring oncoming traffic and illuminate dark corners.
But we find ourselves having a soft spot for the dynamic turn indicators (first found on the R8 supercar), which appear as a flowing stream of lights instead of the conventional flashing. There is no doubt that this feature will go on to steal glances everywhere it goes.
Debuting on the A8, the Matrix LED headlamps can intelligently switch from high to low beam (and vice versa) to avoid glaring oncoming traffic and illuminate dark corners.
But we find ourselves having a soft spot for the dynamic turn indicators (first found on the R8 supercar), which appear as a flowing stream of lights instead of the conventional flashing. There is no doubt that this feature will go on to steal glances everywhere it goes.
On the A8 is also a slew of technological features - so extensive that a single page probably wouldn't fit them all. The cabin, for instance, has noise cancellation function - where speakers will emit opposing sound waves to cancel out noise.
As such, soft whispers are clear enough to carry out conversations in the cabin, even between front and rear passengers in the stretched limousine.
The Drive
Likewise, the A8's drivetrain department has a couple of tricks up its sleeves. To enhance fuel efficiency, the eight-cylinder unit will shut down four chambers under low load conditions (known as Cylinder-on-Demand or COD).
The A8 also features adaptive engine mounts to minimise vibrations from the engine - especially when the V8 turns into a V4 when COD kicks in. Even during gentle cruising down a smooth highway, where any abnormal vibrations will stick out like a sore thumb, intervenes by the COD are barely noticeably.
As such, soft whispers are clear enough to carry out conversations in the cabin, even between front and rear passengers in the stretched limousine.
The Drive
Likewise, the A8's drivetrain department has a couple of tricks up its sleeves. To enhance fuel efficiency, the eight-cylinder unit will shut down four chambers under low load conditions (known as Cylinder-on-Demand or COD).
The A8 also features adaptive engine mounts to minimise vibrations from the engine - especially when the V8 turns into a V4 when COD kicks in. Even during gentle cruising down a smooth highway, where any abnormal vibrations will stick out like a sore thumb, intervenes by the COD are barely noticeably.
With a colossal 600Nm of pulling power, sprints in the A8 are dealt with the slightest effort. And if you decide that you have had enough at gentle tugging at the accelerator, the majestic sedan will transform into a hot-headed athlete, passing the Ah Beng on the next lane at a blink of an eye and leaving him lost and bewitched.
Conclusion
With such clinical handling, dynamic performance and opulent cabin experience, it is a tough call to choose between taking up the helm or to be nested in luxury at the rear quarters.
In any case, the latest A8 will make you feel like the star of the show with its explicit showcase of tech gizmos - both on and underneath its sheet metal.
Conclusion
With such clinical handling, dynamic performance and opulent cabin experience, it is a tough call to choose between taking up the helm or to be nested in luxury at the rear quarters.
In any case, the latest A8 will make you feel like the star of the show with its explicit showcase of tech gizmos - both on and underneath its sheet metal.
