G14 AUTOMOTIVE THE CAR PAGES The sweet smell of success L
uxury is non-democratic. It is attractive precisely because it is exclusive. Luxury does not imitate. It is, instead,
imitated. It sets standards. It usually is the first to innovate, or to apply innovations deemed by others to be too expensive, too risky or simply unnecessary. Luxury has a feel all its own. It even smells rich. Luxury is superior without apology. But because
it is blessed with genuine self-confidence, it usually does not embrace arrogance, which is inherently flawedby the germ of self-doubt. Luxury on wheels is the 2011 AudiA84.2 FSI
Quattro sedan, the subject of this week’s review, and arguably the standard by which all other luxury cars should be judged. What immediately catches the eye and offends
the aesthetic sensibilities of some observers is the A84.2’s egregiously wide-mouthed grille, which prompts thoughts of the gaping mouth in Norwegian artist EdvardMunch’s “The Scream.” Love it or hate it, you will neither ignore nor forget it, nor will you mistake it for anything else. That grille is a bold statement that theA84.2 is
different. It’s a valid statement, too. Consider the car’s body. TheA84.2 is an all-wheel-drive full-size sedan
that feels as tight and light as amuchsmaller rear- wheel-drive sports car. Credit here goes to patented Audi Space Frame(ASF) technology, which uses aluminum and strategic applications of lightweight, high-strength steel to increase vehicle- body stiffness while reducing overall body weight. The use of ASF technology in the 2011A84.2
yields a 25 percent improvement in body rigidity and a 20 percent reduction in weight in comparison with the 2010 model. Increased stiffness improves vehicle handling. Lighter weight improves fuel economy. Look at theA84.2’s
headlights.They are light-
emitting diodes (LEDs), smartly arranged at the lower corners of the car’s front end, where they promotemaximumnight vision without blinding oncoming
traffic.The car’s high-beam and daytime running lights use the same technology, providing maximumlight at reduced energy cost. Step inside theA84.2’s
cabin.Many luxury automobile manufacturers use high-grade interior materials to impart a sense of wealth and well- being. But fewuse those materials as creatively or install them as expertly as Audi. In theA84.2, supple leather blends with hand- polished walnut wood and brushed aluminum as if they are natural siblings. I’ve driven every luxury automobile there is to be driven (with the notable exception of the $1.5 million BugattiVeyron 16.4 super sports car). It is difficult to recall one that tops theA84.2 in interior fit and finish. But I wish Audi would abandon the notion of
“German exceptionalism” in the matter of instrument-panel gauges and
controls.German exceptionalism saysGermans are smarter than
WARREN BROWN On Wheels
everyone else in theway that “American exceptionalism” boasts that Americans are overall better than everyone else. Both are lies, or are at least the results of national delusion. But, as manifested in theA84.2,German exceptionalism can be downright irritating. After a week in the car, I was still struggling to
master Audi’s patentedMultiMedia Interface (MMI) system, which uses hard and soft keys and a retractable eight-inch video screen to control and monitor theA84.2’smany
functions.MMI constitutes technical overreach. Example: Push a button to bring up fan controls on the screen.Turn center-console knobs to raise or lower fan speeds on the right and left sides of the
car.Make sure you turn the knobs before the fan logos disappear from the screen. Otherwise, try and try again.Whoreally needs that hassle just to operate a fan? But other innovations, notably theA84.2’s patented “fuel stratified injection” (FSI) engine (gasoline-powered 4.2-literV-8, 372 horsepower, 328 foot-pounds of torque) and eight-speed automatic, are most welcome.
AUDI VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS
It is difficult to recall a luxury car that tops this in interior fit and finish.
FSI technology injects a highly precise amount of
gasoline (premium recommended in this case) into engine
cylinders.The fuel perfectly mixes with available cylinder air to producemaximumengine power atminimumfuel
expenditure.That power is translated to theA84.2’s wheels—usually 40 percent to the front, 60 percent to the rear—via a fuel-saving eight-speed automatic transmission. All of this is done so quickly, quietly and smoothly, it is absolutely necessary to monitor your speed, a taskmadeeasy by a huge, clearly visible mphreading on a screen directly behind the steering wheel. Luxury means having what you wantwhenyou
want it. In theA84.2, that means an adjustable air suspension that can give you a comfortable ride with sports-car handling in curves and turns (Auto setting), a hard-feel ride with crisp handling (Dynamic setting), or a limousine-soft ride with cruise-ship handling minus the wallow (Comfort setting), all at the movement of the practical equivalent of a computer mouse.You can also choose a Lift setting, which adjusts vehicle height depending on speed. TheA84.2 is so loaded with amenities and technology, I could write a book on it. But I don’t have that kind of space here.
brownw@washpost.com
Mileage: The Environmental Protection Agency’s estimate is 17 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. I got 15 miles per gallon in the city (D.C. traffic) and 30 miles per gallon on the highway (late-night driving, Interstate 66).
Safety: Standard equipment includes ventilated disc brakes front and rear; anti-lock brake protection; electronic brake-force distribution; electronic stability and traction control; pre-collision safety system; post- collision safety system; and knee, side and head air bags.
Price: The base price on the 2011 Audi A8 4.2 FSI Quattro sedan is $78,050. Dealer’s invoice price on that model is $72,587. Price as tested is $93,525, including $14,600 in options (Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system, ventilated and heated front seats with massage capability, upgraded leather-covered seats, dual-pane acoustic and security glass, 20-inch-diameter wheels) and an $875 destination charge. Dealer’s price as tested is $87,041.
Nextweek: Back to Earth with something for the rest of us.
3
washingtonpost.com/cars: Search a database of past reviews, plus the latest auto news.
NUTS&BOLTS A8 4.2 FSI Quattro
Bottom line: The A8 4.2 FSI Quattro sedan defines automotive luxury. It’s not “entry-level.” Nor is it “affordable” for most of us. It is what luxury is supposed to be—exclusive, innovative, a class of its own.
Ride, acceleration and handling: Superior performance in all three.
Body style/layout: The A8 4.2 is a full-size, front-engine, all-wheel-drive luxury sedan. Construction uses patented Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology, which mates aluminum with strategic applications of high-strength steel.
Engine/transmission: The A8 4.2, as its name indicates, comes with a 4.2-liter, 32-valve FSI (“fuel stratified injection”), gasoline engine (372 horsepower, 328 foot-pounds of torque). The engine is mated to an electronically controlled eight-speed automatic transmission.
Changes for 2011: The new Audi A8 4.2’s V-8 has 22 more horsepower and three foot-pounds more torque than its predecessor. The new car’s body is three inches longer and two inches wider than that of the previous model. An eight-speed automatic transmission replaces the six-speed automatic gearbox. Stylistically, the front end of the new car is markedly more aggressive than the front end of the 2010 version.
Capacities: There are seats for five people. Luggage capacity is 13.2 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 23.8 gallons of gasoline. Premium is required.
OPQRS
BD
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2010
MaLLOY
LIQUIDATION SALE MERCURY
SAVE BIG DURING MERCURY’S FINAL DAYS NEW 2010 MILAN MSRP: $24,420 20% OFF: $4,884 $19,536
MSRP
PURCHASE YOURS NOW BEFORE THEY ARE GONE! 31 35
26 ONLY 22 40
NEW 2010 MARINER PREMIER
MERCURYS REMAINING
MaLLOYAUTOMALL.com
14655 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Woodbridge, VA 888-545-0296 MaLLOY LINCOLN-MERCURY
*20% only available on in stock Mercurys, includes all factory rebates and incentives and cannot be combined with any other offers. 0% available on approved credit to qualified buyers. See dealer for details. Ends 12/13/2010 close of business.
MSRP: $28,395 20% OFF: $5,679 $22,716
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176