● Body appearance: Rejuvenation is the main line
Depending on the level, the design of the vehicle often has a relatively fixed routine, such as the mini car to be cute, the small car to be fashionable, the compact car to be sporty, and the medium-sized car to be atmospheric. So what about the top luxury car? It has always been old and heavy, calm is its design characteristics, and in the new A8L, we see a different top luxury car, it has a sharper, younger lines, giving people a refreshing feeling.
The family-style front face is still the main design thread that Audi adheres to, but in addition to the commonality, it also has its own personality. The tear-eye headlights, which are made up of 22 LEDs, are very ornate and have become another signature design language of Audi. The seemingly bland front face is actually a hidden mystery, with night vision cameras, quattro, ACC radar probes and other equipment all coveted by other models.
| Comparison of the body size of the Audi A8L, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class | |||
| Audi A8L | BMW 7 Series (Long Axle Version) | Mercedes-Benz S-Class (long axle version) | |
| Length (mm) | 5267 | 5212 | 5230 |
| Width (mm) | 1949 | 1902 | 1871 |
| Height (mm) | 1471 | 1478 | 1485 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 3122 | 3210 | 3165 |
The new A8L continues to grow in size, surpassing even its main rivals BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class in terms of length and width. I was also a little surprised to see such data, because this big guy is not very big in terms of sensory, and it looks more like an A4L or A5 from a distance.
The sporty lines make it a bit hard to believe that this is a top-of-the-line luxury car, and judging by the styling of the new A6, the idea of creating an executive car with a sporty design style is not a whim. The size of the tires has reached the more mainstream 255/45 R19, and the brand is GOODYEAR, of course, the A8L has a variety of wheels and tires to choose from, with a high degree of customization. ● Central Control Interior: The all-new MMI on-board system is the highlight
For this class of models, sometimes the atmosphere is more important than anything else, and the symmetrical design of the A8L caters to the needs of this segment of consumers. The word "wrap-around" is often used in GM vehicles today, and excellent workmanship is the biggest core competitiveness of its interiors.
The four-spoke steering wheel is not prominent in terms of shape, and it is somewhat incompatible with both business and sports. However, the steering wheel is very well expressed in terms of size, thickness, and feel, which makes people a little loved. The various function buttons on the steering wheel are relatively rich, and they are all located in the position of reach, and the degree of humanization is still very high.
The MMI in-vehicle system has always been a source of pride for Audi models, and we also see an even easier MMI system to use on the new A8L. Most of the vehicle's information, various multimedia functions can be operated here, and the addition of the touchpad further improves its operability.
In everyday situations, the touchpad is lined up and down with 6 Arabic numerals, 1-6, which are used to quickly switch radio channels. The multimedia system also provides two SD card slots and a SIM card slot, the system has a good recognition ability for SIM cards, Chinese display phone book, SMS and other functions are readily available.
The navigation system is also very functional, with prompts displayed on your trip computer in addition to the regular central LCD display, when encountering an intersection. The addition of the touchpad enhances the user experience of navigation, whether you use it to drag the map or enter a Chinese address. ● Seat and comfort experience: Ultra-luxury seats are the most attractive
The leather seats are smooth and soft, while the use of maroon also greatly adds to the luxurious feeling in the car. Most models have power-adjustable seats that are nothing more than 8-way or 10-way, but the A8L has reached as many as 22-way. So there's no longer a need to "dictate" its ride space here, because anyone of any height or weight can find the right spot.
The 22-way adjustable seats are already a bit overwhelming for rear passengers, but that's not all, as the two front seats also have five vibration modes, each of which is also five-level intensity adjustable. From my experience, the traditional wave effect is very good, massaging from the waist all the way to the shoulders, which is not a small benefit for relieving fatigue.
Is it a bit of a hustle and bustle to have such a wide range of passengers in the front? In my opinion, no, because the rear seats are more than that. The MMI system also appears in the middle of the rear row, and the configuration of the two headphone jacks also ensures that the two passengers do not disturb each other.
The legroom of the rear passengers is not as spacious as expected, and the 175cm tall experiencer sits in the back row with more than three fists of legroom, which has no advantage compared with competitors in the same class. Of course, the two rear passengers also have powerful and comfortable seats, not to mention the basic equipment such as seat heating and ventilation, and the right passenger also has the function of adjusting the front seat compared to the left. By moving the front seats to the front and rear, the rear passengers have a large space comparable to that of a first-class cabin.
The optional car refrigerator is also a very practical configuration, and as the temperature rises day by day, our demand for cold drinks is also increasing. The refrigeration degree of the refrigerator can be adjusted in two levels, and the actual use effect is very obvious, which is not the same as the drink that is cooled by the air outlet. ● High-tech configuration: adaptive cruise control, night vision system leading
We are already familiar with the adaptive cruise control system, which can automatically adjust the speed according to the pre-set driving speed and following distance, which can effectively reduce the driver's fatigue at high speeds. As for the night vision system, the safety of driving at night has been greatly improved, and the infrared thermal sensor radar can identify all hot objects, and it will also be displayed in a contrasting white color on the screen.
● Power and suspension system: 3.0TFSI engine + 8AT automatic transmission
At present, the A8 introduced into China is all 3.0TFSI+8AT power combination, and according to the different positioning, it is divided into a low-power version of 213kW (290Ps) and a high-power version of 245kW (333Ps). The transmission uses an 8-speed automatic transmission, which barely feels the impact of shifting during daily driving, and the new electronic gear knob feels very similar to BMW.
The A8L uses adaptive air suspension, which adjusts the stiffness of the suspension according to different driving modes, and the vehicle also supports manual raising or lowering of the suspension, but the A8L is a sedan after all, so the rise and fall are not large. In addition, when there is a difference in the weight distribution between the front and rear of the vehicle or the left and right, the A8L can also adjust the level by itself.
● Other configurations: the rear sunroof can also be lifted up
While the rear window of a typical double-roof model is often completely sealed, the rear sunroof of the A8L can be opened up and open with the front sunroof for ventilation. The A8L luxury model is already equipped with excellent sound quality BOSE audio, if you want to go one step further, you can only spend 72,000 yuan to buy the palace-level Bang & Olfusen premium car audio system.
The A8L's boot space is not very good, with a minimum depth of only 750mm, which can only fit the company's large boxes. The spare tire under the trunk is also not powerful, the size is only 145/80 R19, such a small spare tire is a bit shabby for Audi's top models, and the market understanding of spare tires in different car cultures is also different.
Full Text Summary:
After two days of contact, I was very impressed with the new A8L, which is no longer old-fashioned, and the entry-level model also comes standard with quattro all-wheel drive and adaptive air suspension. The sense of luxury in the car has also been greatly improved compared with the old model, and in terms of its own strong technology configuration, MMI touch, ACC active cruise, and the addition of night vision system have let us see its determination to revivenation. The only slight regret is the space, although it has been lengthened, but the performance of the rear space and trunk space still does not meet the requirements of the flagship model of the luxury brand.
Of course, the competition between the flagship models of luxury brands has never been as simple as fighting for configuration and comparing space, and the historical heritage, humanistic spirit, as well as the positioning and consumption habits of the models will have a direct impact on the sales of models of this level. The phrase "take a Mercedes-Benz, drive a BMW" has long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, but what about Audi? It is always more difficult to change consumers' consumption habits than to make a good product, and I think this is also the biggest problem that Audi needs to face. The Audi A8 is old-fashioned, very political, and as a latecomer, it has been following the 7 Series and the S-Class and has tended to lack initiative. The 2011 model has completely solved these problems, no longer following the trend, no longer blindly following, energetic, and does not even mind showing athletic talent. The number of young billionaires on the Forbes list is growing, and in addition to special occasions that require a driver to set off their prominence, they will also be happy to take the wheel themselves. The fly in the ointment is that despite the lengthening, the performance of the back row has not been able to satisfy the bigwigs.
● Engine gearbox
The Audi 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine was once again on Ward's 2011 Top 10 Engine list, and we tested the car with a low-powered version of the award-winning product. The maximum power is 290 horsepower (213kW), the peak torque is 420 Nm, the cylinder angle is 90 degrees, and the roots supercharger is placed in the middle, which is much smaller than the original 4.2-liter V8 in terms of volume, weight, displacement, and energy consumption, and the performance is even better.
What is a Roots Turbocharger?
There are three types of compressors for mechanical superchargers: roots, twin-screw and centrifugal type, and roots are the first one to appear. The compressor rotor of the roots supercharger adopts a twin-screw style, and the air flow enters from the top, and then flows into a relatively closed air chamber composed of the cylinder wall and the rotor, and the two rotors rotate and reduce the air chamber space, and squeeze the air downward. In this process, the pressure in the air chamber is the same as that behind the compressor, so it belongs to the external compression method, and most of the current mechanical supercharger models are mostly roots compressors.
The 8-speed automatic transmission belonging to the 8HP series comes from the German manufacturer ZF, and it is needless to introduce it too much, BMW, Porsche, Lexus, Maserati and so on all use their products. Weighing just over 90 kilograms, the gearbox is about two kilograms lighter than the Jaguar XFR's 6HP28, and it's functional enough to change gears smoothly and quickly. However, when I first tested the 8AT version of the new Q5, the impact of the almost sequential gearbox during the rapid acceleration was really uncomfortable, and today in the face of a product like the A8, it is obvious that it has changed significantly.
● Daily driving experience
The start is easy and steady, and there is no rough trembling, which is the routine that a luxury car should have. Then I felt that there was something different, savored it, after the vehicle moved, it was completely the appearance of a medium-sized car or even a smaller class model, with a quick response, agile skills, and no negative effects brought by the 5.2-meter body and 2-ton weight on the road, and within 300 meters, it was noticed that it was the biggest difference from the 7 Series and the S-class: the owner should go to the driver's seat, not just watch TV in the back.
It makes sense to say that the nest is in the back row. Compared with the opponent, the wheelbase of the A8L is the shortest, even if it is lengthened, it is only 3122mm, coupled with the arrangement of the four-wheel drive system and air suspension, etc., so that its rear space is the smallest in the same class, you can find that Audi provides a lot of opportunities for VIP sitting here, such as a 10.2-inch display, MMI control system, multi-directional adjustable massage seats, etc., try to make up for the space shortcomings with technological equipment.
Showing off a sense of technology has always been Audi's forte, and as a flagship model, the A8L is a constant reminder of how much high-tech gear it is equipped with. It's a pity that we didn't see the integrated LED headlights with high and low beams in this test drive, but fortunately, the grand atmosphere lights in the cockpit are still there, and the yaw warning system and adaptive cruise are also very content. For the young wealthy, safety and comfort are far more important than the driving itself.
◆ Three practical configurations related to driving safety
1. Yaw warning system
The A8L is equipped with a yaw warning system, which is automatically activated when the vehicle is traveling at speeds above 65 km/h. If the vehicle changes its current lane and does not turn on the turn signals, the steering wheel will vibrate to alert the driver that the speed is below 65 km/h. The vibration intensity of the steering wheel can be adjusted in three levels, and some roads are relatively old, and the lane dividing line is not obvious, and the system will not warn because the dividing line cannot be detected.
2. Anti-rear-end collision system in adaptive cruise
The adaptive cruise control system integrates the anti-rear-end function, and when the system detects that the vehicle is in danger of a rear-end collision, it will gradually alert the driver in three steps: 1. The alarm in the car sounds, the warning lights flash, and the initial deceleration, 2. The seat belt is tightened and the brake is 30% degree, and 3. The window is closed and the brake is 50% degree. Vehicles equipped with the Reinforcement Module also have a fourth step: full braking to stop moving forward, which our test car does not seem to have. The anti-collision function only works when the adaptive cruise control system (ACC) is activated, which means that the speed must reach 30 km/h, because the minimum operating speed of the ACC is 30 km/h.
3. Night vision system
For the first time, Audi introduced a night vision system that can be used day and night as long as the headlights are on. The night vision switch is located on the center console on the left side of the steering wheel, and the night vision mode is displayed on the LCD screen in the center of the instrument cluster when the button is pressed. The system is very sensitive to pedestrian recognition, highlighted on the display with a high-contrast substrate and a square frame, and when a pedestrian crosses in front of the vehicle, an in-vehicle alarm sounds to alert the driver, and it is said that the maximum detection distance can reach 500 meters.
Although the body is responsive, don't think that there is any frivolous content in its attitude, and the richness in the bones has far exceeded the A6. The scope that the A4 generation can reach, the low-speed power take-off gearbox is not inferior to the dual-clutch transmission in each gear switch, and even the action of jumping directly from 8th gear to 2nd gear under the S gear is calm, and the electronic system that cannot be completely closed is always escorted around, and it is very simple to drive it fast and solemnly, but it is still difficult to drive out of the wild feeling, of course, no one will drive it like this.
The A8L is trying to meet the needs of the front and rear seats at the same time, so it can have the desire to drive and can also sit in a decent position in the back. This reminds me that Audi is often considered a compromise between Mercedes-Benz and BMW, and now it seems that the A8L has not given up the key point of balance, but compared to the previous A8L, which was a follower and imitator, this product has completed a radical change and defined a new luxury car route for itself.
● Accelerated testing
Moving on to the performance test part, let's take a look at the strength of the 3.0T engine, and the fastest acceleration time we measured was 6.2 seconds, which is in line with the official figure.
Like the previous quattro models, the A8L wheels will not slip, the four-wheel drive system will reasonably distribute the torque to the front and rear axles, the start is smooth, the 3.0T engine is amazingly explosive, the maximum longitudinal G value reaches 0.875g, even if it is just upgraded to 2nd and 3rd gear, there is still more than 0.5g of acceleration momentum, and it is rare to see such a performance in the same class. The gearbox upshifts quickly, and it's worth mentioning that the performance at this time is not as noticeable as the previous test Q5, which is a good balance between comfort and sportiness. Compared to the entry-level models of its rivals, the acceleration time of 6.2 seconds is far ahead.
● Brake test
The Germans have always put safety at the forefront, and even more so in the A8L class, where we tested a braking score of 38.27 meters.
The results were stable in repeated tests, maintaining around 38 meters. The curve chart shows that the braking system is in place, and it has been in good working condition, ABS is very careful to intervene, and the frequency is very rhythmic. A car of more than 2 tons, 38.27 meters, can score full marks.
More exciting videos are available on Autohome's video platform
● Noise and speed
The new A8L has a strong noise suppression ability, and it is easy to talk in the car at a speed of 120km/h, which I don't think needs to be praised too much. However, the 8-speed gearbox seems to control the revs a little more than expected.
● Summary
It can be seen that Audi has spent a lot of effort on the A8L, they strongly express their understanding of luxury cars, and the long-sleeved dance is good at defining a new road to luxury cars with high-tech arms, and the performance of various performance tests is quite eye-catching, I believe that more car owners will be happy to do it in the driver's seat in the future, and the age level of these people will be several levels younger than the current A8L customers. It's great to see the changes in the A8L, it brings everyone fresh surprises inside and out, and in this segment, freshness is something we haven't experienced for a long time, so from the driver's point of view, I give the new A8L full marks.
However, Audi has been a little bit recently, and the result of the flood of family characteristics is that everyone in the family looks the same, and it is impossible to tell who is the eldest brother and who is the younger brother, which is a very scary thing, and the family has a face, you say that the horror is not terrifying, and no one wants to spend 1 million to let people who don't understand the car point to it and say, "It's like A4, hey!" , The bigwigs need a sense of brand dignity and deterrence from the inside out, especially in China, the bigger the more popular the market, the A8L still has to ponder in this regard, the majestic 7 series is in the limelight, and the next generation of S-class is coming.