A8 D5 mini review

[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.

[paulrstaylor]

Originally Posted by homer simpson

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.

A pleasant surprise I assume!? Try approaching a roundabout

[homer simpson]

Originally Posted by paulrstaylor

A pleasant surprise I assume!? Try approaching a roundabout

It was on cruise and I was about to brake and reduce speed but then it started to slow down itself. It is good providing there is nothing behind you as it was only a short section and the speed limit increases again. I would imagine some just drive through.

Should I drive without braking and see if it stops for the roundabout? lol

[tc4332]

Won't be long and you will not be able to speed. The powers that be (all non-drivers) are looking at ways to implement auto speed control in all cars. Using GPS and posted speed restrictions, all vehicles will only be allowed to travel lower than the local speed limit.
This means that everyone will drive at full throttle and overtaking will be a thing of the past.Makes me glad i'm an old booger.

[homer simpson]

Originally Posted by tc4332

Won't be long and you will not be able to speed. The powers that be (all non-drivers) are looking at ways to implement auto speed control in all cars. Using GPS and posted speed restrictions, all vehicles will only be allowed to travel lower than the local speed limit.
This means that everyone will drive at full throttle and overtaking will be a thing of the past.Makes me glad i'm an old booger.

Probably will become mandatory in years to come (like ABS did in the 2000's) on new cars. Which means my D3 S8 will be worth even more!

[paulrstaylor]

Originally Posted by homer simpson

It was on cruise and I was about to brake and reduce speed but then it started to slow down itself. It is good providing there is nothing behind you as it was only a short section and the speed limit increases again. I would imagine some just drive through.

Should I drive without braking and see if it stops for the roundabout? lol

It will probably slow down enough to go round it before accelerating again

[homer simpson]

Just remembered one thing I did find really annoying...the screen wash reservoir! The bottle is in the O/S wing area (same as my D3) but the neck is soooo narrow! You can only trickle a very small amount at a time and it took me forever to fill it up. Trivial I know, but annoying nonetheless.

[J i m s t e r]

It doesn't sound like £70K buys you much in the way of an A8 these days. Not sure I'd enjoy the auto-braking either.

I did have a go in a new V90 and that was overly-safe. If you moved lanes without indicating, it would vibrate the steering wheel when the camera sees the lane lines being crossed.