[homer simpson]

Having had a new A6 recently (to loan) I thought it was very nice, The Tech inside was great. Then the call came from Audi...'unfortunately, the A6 you are in has been sold, but we will put you in a new A8'. No complaints there!

So the D5 arrives in 55 3.0 petrol form. Fairly tame on the outside but then again it's a base model. Inside, it looks huge! Seats are comfortable and the touch screens are good (same as the A6). Bit, the virtual cockpit it awesome! Picking up the road speed limits correctly, even on the M25 when it changes at virtually every gantry, the A8 was precise.

Ride on the air suspension was smooth, even in individual mode with everything set on Dynamic. The engine has good power for such a big car, 340PS is adequate. Very comfortable - I don't do long distance as I can't sit for too long due to numerous operations however this thing just ate up the miles and 2.5 hours later I wasn't aching anywhere near as I thought I would.
Steering is also precise as you would expect in a new car.

What I love is the Head-Up Display. Doesn't distract at all and when using the Sat Nav is particularly handy as it comes up in there.

This seems to be a poverty spec model as it doesn't seem to have any extras - no interior lighting, no advanced sound, no rear heated seats, blinds, 360 camera etc etc. The only thing looking at the configurator that seems to be added are the alloys and soft close doors which I would have thought should have been standard. I would have liked the Matrix headlights and OLED rear lights! Even dynamic indicators are extra.

I will say the adaptive cruise is much better than my D3. It is a lot more seamless and I happily sat there without having to touch either pedal. Glad at least this is standard. I did have one occasion where the speed went from 70 to 40 and the car braked itself to slow me down. Not sure if it is a setting in the Safety Features but took me a bit by surprise.

I will have it for a couple more days (hopefully until Monday) and I love it but I do miss my S8. Will be interesting what the D5 S8 is like.

Likes: Touch screen displays, Audi VC, adaptive cruise, comfort, adequate power, HUD.

Dislikes: None really. Poverty spec but it is a basic demo car although more options should be standard in a £70k car.