EuroSport

The Audi A8 had already established a formidable reputation as a technologically advanced, effortlessly cool executive saloon by dint of the first generation car. With the major manufacturers capable of throwing vast budgets at the development of these flagship models, the first generation A8s nine year existence seems remarkable. After 2000, the A8 was starting to look and feel a little behind the curve, and Audi were making great efforts to put it back at the forefront of the luxury class. The 2003 model year A8 did exactly that, offering a bigger, bolder take on the A8 theme.

It has proved a notable success for Audi and has enabled them, in turn, to offer a bigger A6 model. As a used buy, the A8 has much to commend it.

The styling has followed an evolutionary theme, looking even more slippery than the rather bluff outgoing car, the sides now being contoured into an almost Jaguar-like fuselage. The front features chrome-ringed grilles above and below bumpers which look rakishly aggressive, whilst the back features a high mounted light cluster which doesnt. The interior has been given a thorough restyle too compared to the first generation model. One criticism that could be levelled at Audis otherwise impeccable interior design was that buyers of the top line A8 werent getting anything markedly different to the rep whod lucked into an A3.

The themes were all the same, many of the materials felt much alike and there were so many common parts. Great if youre the one with the A3, but not so good if you want something a little more exclusive. Audi has recognised this and has given the A8 an interior quite different to the usual classy coalhole. The instrument dials are raked back and trimmed with a light metallic theme that is dotted about the cabin.

The steering wheel is a classy looking four-spoke item, nattily dished with recessed arms. It manages to make BMWs 7 Series tiller look rather inelegant. Accommodation is better than the old A8, a car that, unless you opted for the long wheelbase version, was pretty tight on rear legroom. The rear seats lack side support and are quite hard, but theres plenty of space.

Headroom is acceptable without feeling as airy as an equivalent S-Class, but this helps in making the A8 feel smaller than it actually is, an asset when the time comes to confront a twisty road.

Prices of the A8 are still healthily buoyant which means that genuine used bargains will be hard to come by. £23,400 should net you a 52 plated 4.2-litre quattro model with an 04-plated example commanding £27,600. The 4.

0-litre TDI quattro diesel version has proved enormously popular and these start at £28,000 for an 03 plated car rising to £34,200 for a 54 registered model. Insurance ranges from Group 18 for the 3.0-litre petrol version up to a sobering Group 20 for the 4.2 and 6.

0-litre cars.

If youre worried about what might happen should you be unfortunate enough to dent the expensive aluminium bodywork, then fear not. Audi says that 95% of accident damage is repairable at any of their dealers while the other (more serious) 5% can be handled at any one of three specialist centres being established in the UK. Otherwise, not much goes wrong but a full service history is essential. The quattro models are rather sensitive to tracking misalignments so it pays to keep an eye on tyre wear.

(approx based on a 03, 3.0-litre petrol - ex Vat) Youll need to spend around £280 on a replacement clutch assembly while brake pads are surprisingly pricey at around £135 for the front pair and £75 for the rears. Shock absorbers retail at approximately £175 and door mirrors are £120 per unit

Engine-wise, from 03 model year, there are 3.7 and 4.2-litre capacities mated to Audis trademark quattro four wheel drive transmissions. Buyers looking for 04 model year cars onwards can also pick 3.

0 and 4.0-litre TDI diesel models, plus a 3.0-litre petrol variant and the W12. Power (from the middle of 04) was tweaked to 280bhp and 337bhp respectively in the 3.

7 and 4.2-litre petrols, while the entry-level 3.0-litre petrol model manages 220bhp. The diesels meanwhile, put out 233bhp and 270bhp along with a monumental torque figures - 650Nm of torque in the case of the larger 4.

0-litre engine. Go for either the awesome 450bhp 6.0-litre W12 or the 4.2-litre model and theres the choice of either short or long wheelbase bodystyles.

A six-speed automatic gearbox is a standard feature and, should you feel suitably sportif, you can knock the stick to one side in order to perform manual shifts. With just 3bhp less than a BMW 745i and around 370lbs (the weight of two 13 stone passengers) less weight to lug around, the 4.2-litre version is a rapid performer. The all-wheel drive system means that it gets off the line without any fuss every time, sprinting to 60mph in just 6.

6 seconds. The top speed is limited by the gentlemans agreement among most German manufacturers to a sensible 155mph (250km/h). The W12 cuts the 0-60mph sprint to an indecent 5.0s.

Like the Mercedes S-Class, the A8 adopts a full air suspension set up with four different set ups to suit differing needs. The Audi feels lighter on its feet than before but ride quality has improved. This was the one big complaint with the old car, namely that the handling was good but you had to pay for it with significant bump and thump from the suspension. The power steering has been retuned to offer more feel, but it reverts to a fingertip lightness at parking speeds.

Audi never seem to quite crack well-weighted steering and although the A8 isnt bad, its still not top drawer.

If you want the coolest executive car around, your choice runs to either an Audi A8 or a Jaguar XJ. Both are built of aluminium and feature a cracking range of engines. Which you will choose depends on your focus. If cool, clubby raffishness is more your thing, go for the Jaguar.

The Audi offers Teutonic efficiency, remorselessly excellent build quality and modernity. Capable of shrugging off big miles with disdain, a used A8 is an informed choice. Recommended.

Black_RS4

hmmm good write up... lol

Bikespot

I think its a nice car

audi-lover

Good work, keep it up