Intro: As far as full-size flagship luxury sedans go, The Audi A8 is one of the best in the world. Superb handling, a wealth of upscale amenities, and a seemingly endless well of class-leading tech features combine to make the A8 a luxury sedan fit for the most discerning or most tech-savvy driver.
LED headlights and standard 19" alloy wheels cap off a design that is regal yet modern. For those who want plenty of room in the rear seat lap of luxury, the A8 is also available as the long wheelbase A8 L.
Performance: The A8 comes equipped with a 4.2-liter V8. It sends a robust 372 horsepower and 328 pound feet of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission to Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive.
Fuel Economy: Here are the highest and lowest EPA estimates for fuel economy:
Features: The wealth of in-car tech is readily apparent when sitting in the lavish cockpit of the A8. The turn-knob in the center console operates the latest version of Audis MMI multimedia interface. This system is viewed through the vivid 7" pop-up navigation screen. A new trick of the A8 is the touch pad, which recognizes finger strokes as letters- a welcomed departure from congested keyboard screens.
Residing in the center of the instrument panel is a brilliant digital display, which can present turn-by-turn navigation- removing the need for the driver to look to the center nav display.
Tech not your thing? Well, 18-way front heated and cooled bucket seats might do the trick- as would the nougat brown leather seating or the reclining and massaging rear seats.
Safety Features: Standard safety features include traction control, electronic stability program, tire pressure monitor, and a full array of front and side impact airbags.
Pricing: Base MSRP for the 2011 Audi A8 is $78,050. The long-wheelbase A8 L starts $84,000.
Warranty: The A8 is backed by a 4-year, 50,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Summary: With some of the best in technology, luxury, and performance in a handsome full-size package, the 2011 Audi A8 exemplifies the modern luxury flagship sedan.