D4 S8 - UK Roadtest review

[Singh]

Saw this on Psyche's status.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/audi-s8-review/259529

and the steering isn't blessed with much feedback, either.

Surprise surprise they commented on the steering lacking feedback. It's really irritating how Audi get it so wrong when BMW (their main competitor) get it so right. Its the same story every time. On the Top Gear M3 vs RS5 test you could clearly see the BMW slicing around the track with precision and the Audi lunging for the grass and nearly going off track and despite it's 30 BHP advantage on a wet track with quattro it still couldn't overtake, and it put a slower time around the wet track too, imagine what it would have done to it had it been dry. Come on Audi, sort it out. I'm more of an Audi fan then a BMW fan before you guys knock me, thats why this is all the more frustrating.

[Adrian E]

Another variation on the theme from one of what car's stable mates (IIRC)

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=24506

steering comment

the steering is nice, too, with a suitably meaty weight to it, and a firmness around the straight-ahead that helps to give the car a rock-steady motorway gait.

I think some of these publications just expect Audis to have naff steering and don't bother editing the lazy road testers basic Audi road test report.....

Bet the RS5 was on Pirelli tyres for the TG test utterly useless in general, but particularly so in the wet.

I nice curio that the S8 is these days, I suspect it'll sell in even smaller numbers than the D3 variant. Suspect we'll all be sipping from the black pump longer term for our torque based thrills

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by Adrian E

Suspect we'll all be sipping from the black pump longer term for our torque based thrills

Indeed, as the first review says:

we can't help thinking you'd be better off with the 4.2 V8 diesel version of the A8

I know, as I've said before, that when my D2 S8 finally "passes on" that's where I'm heading.
On big modern cars with good auto boxes it's just a no-brainer.

[Adrian E]

Our 3 litre petrol A6 Avant will get replaced by something diesel powered - it's just too sluggish for my liking

[Singh]

I hope your right Adrian, let's see if Audi invite me to the silverstone launch.

[Architex_mA8tey]

Another article in the "November Special" edition of auto express out tomorrow
also on the website HERE

[Singh]

Slooowlyy growing on me

This sounds really fancy.

This is helped by an active noise cancellation system, which samples the clatter in the cabin via four tiny microphones, and counters intrusive sounds by pumping opposite waves through the speakers. It not only cancels out unwanted engine hiccups either – it means tyre roar and wind noise are suppressed too, creating an eerily quiet cabin at motorway speeds.

[Night Train]

Didn't Lotus experiment with active noise cancellation, but with an emphasis on freer flowing exhausts back in the '80's if my memory serves me correctly?

Nothing particularly new here, but a very good idea nonetheless.

[Singh]

Did anyone watch the Audi RS3 vs BMW 1M head to head on Fifth Gear yesterday? Exact same story as the Top Gear RS 5 vs M3 test, it looked dreadfull through the corners and the Beemer stunning, both presenters chose the BMW in the end. Audi looked horribly unbalanced lunging for the grass like a big barge. I really don't think it's tyres.

Originally Posted by Adrian E

Another variation on the theme from one of what car's stable mates (IIRC)

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=24506

steering comment

I think some of these publications just expect Audis to have naff steering and don't bother editing the lazy road testers basic Audi road test report.....

Bet the RS5 was on Pirelli tyres for the TG test utterly useless in general, but particularly so in the wet.

[Adrian E]

There's more to what a car is like to live with everyday than how it goes round a track, UNLESS that's what you plan to use it for. I'd never have an m5 purely because they ride so badly on uk roads - to a lesser degree I'd criticise the m3 as well, but being lighter it gets away with it.

It's taken BMW years to sort out ride and handling on run flats - cars like your old 3 series are really the best they've produced, likewise the e39 5 series

I'd probably have a 1m if someone gifted me one, but most of the rest I wouldn't touch with a barge pole!