D4 S8 - Thoughts & Impressions

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by Goran

Yup, hybrid system is the most stupid idea ever. Lets combine two completely different drive systems into a extra complex, extra heavy and volume consuming combined system.
If it was all electric it would get the boot space back as the batteries would be under the floor (no drive shaft) or possibly foor + bonnet.
Mercedes made it work with the electric SLS, I bet Audi could do a fantastic job. But no one wants to put an electric drive in a standard car, except that company beginning with T. The irony is, the Germans have some of the best, if not the best electric motor and controller technology, their electric locomotives are the best in the world maybe tied with Switzerland. It even filters down to electric motors for models, they are the most coveted in the rc plane world, and are expensive. Their electronic speed controllers are the best, beat the pants off any American ESC.
Apologies for sidetracking.

I had a honda one for a while ... For motorway driving my 3.0 TDI A8 D4 gets better milage, its a fact.

The whole idea is pants and it doesn't deliver any more economy than stop/start + common rail diesel.


As for the looks of the new A8, yes it looks like an A4. I'm happy with that, least attention is best.

[notorious]

I'm waiting for the moment they will abandon the 'single frame' design. Currently that 'subtle elegance' is lost. They more and more look like Christmas trees. I explain it to myself that markets shifts to Asia and majority of customers are not europeans, so designers adjust for different taste. D2 was the last proper car made by Audi. Maybe pre-fl D3. Then something broken.

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by notorious

I'm waiting for the moment they will abandon the 'single frame' design. Currently that 'subtle elegance' is lost. They more and more look like Christmas trees. I explain it to myself that markets shifts to Asia and majority of customers are not europeans, so designers adjust for different taste. D2 was the last proper car made by Audi. Maybe pre-fl D3. Then something broken.

I would agree that Lexus and Toyota styling has moved into ladyboy, phillipino taxi territory. Mercedes have gone back to the butch look, but have overdone it, most cars look like something out of a comic book.

I would disagree about the D3. Out of the D2/D3/D4 models I think the D3 looks the most sorted in the styling stakes. Something very bland about the D4 from the front. Side and Back are ok. D2 is dated now, nice car

[LordHefner]

Well I do go onto the Audi configurator and built and S8 with my "money not a problem" attitude and it went to £157,900 I have to say I'm not the biggest fan of the D4 yet but it will come, I just think for what the 8 is, there needs to be more of a statement and it's too blended for my liking, sits in a crowd to well and an A8 or S8 needs to be bold where everyone who walks buy one should stop and say "Aww that's nice!"

However all this said, you can't help but love what they've done with the car, I mean look at the interior and ask yourself "Where else do I want to be?" and I can't think of many ways I'd like to be driven somewhere.



Regards, Mark.