Comments on: 2011 Audi A8 breaks cover [Live image update]

By: Raudawg

Raudawg — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:01:53 +0000

Audis look dated? Well, I can’t stop gazing into the headlights, which I love! Stop with the hating–LED may the future of headlghts, and Audi’s headlights are exotically decorative and distinctive. Audis used to be boring to look at, but no longer. They all have that ubercar look to me with these dazzling headlights.

Of course, there is the snob appeal. I remember some A**hole at the LA Auto Show who gushed all over the Audi A8 a few years ago in its last iteration, but when I asked him what he thought of the virtually identical (not to mention very fun and cool, being a Vee Dub, I thought) Volkswagen Phaeton, he shrugged his shoulders.

Anyway, I can’t wait to sit in one of these, let alone drive it.

By: missesjonesy

missesjonesy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:58:01 +0000

The side view reminds me of a Ford Five Hundred, & that was a complete FAIL.

Oh Audi…

By: dmlgc

dmlgc — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:58:18 +0000

Audi has some nice styling, I wish they would stop ruining it with the stupid string of after market “bought these at pep boys” Christmas lights. They should get over their identity,”inferior to bmw” or whatever crisis and just go with their styling. Ok BMW came up with a cool branding idea with their angel eyes don’t imitate – innovate.

By: pzimet

pzimet — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:31:25 +0000

!@sal500 – You’d rather have an MKS ecoboost and “keep the change”? HAHA. Keep retarded MKS comparisons inside your head next time…I hate everyone always trying to bring up the MKS in any type of comparison, acting like its such a game changer, such a good deal….it BLOWS. The engine is nice, I’ll give you that, but it is NOT a sporting machine…it has a lame tranny, and mediocre handling. Not to mention its FWD in standard form, a tell-tale sign that the car isn’t intended for a true enthusiast. It’s pathetic the effect that Ford’s advertising has had on the supposed car “enthusiast” public…people get fooled so easily.

Try this; give me a 535i Sport w/ a 6 Speed, or an A6 3.0T, and I’ll keep the change. Now that makes some sense. If you’re gonna get a mid size lux/sport sedan, get a good one. Please.

By: TW1NTURBO

TW1NTURBO — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:46:09 +0000

soo boring the 7 destroys it

By: sline

sline — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:02:56 +0000

Your Comment

By: Stinky007

Stinky007 — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:40:36 +0000

peter g, how can you say the car has no BS and it’s understated. Look at those damn front lights. They look like they were high when they designed it.
In my opinion, the front lights were a late addition when they realized the rest of the car is just plain boring so they decided to spice things up a bit with some typical Audi LED lights with a twist of stupid added for good measure.
Seeing this I realize that BMW and MB have nothing to worry about!

By: sal500

sal500 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:18:21 +0000

Im sure its a nice car and everything, but doesnt look too impressive, and loaded up, probabaly gets close to $100K.
Personally, I would rather have a Lincoln MK S ecoboost for $ 54K. Looks way nicer and has pretty much everything and more than the A8 not to mention 45K in change!

By: gritsandeggs

gritsandeggs — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:37:42 +0000

This car just doesn’t look grand enough to compete with the S-Class and new XJ. Conservative & understated are one thing, but this car has zero design. It’s uneventful, unmemorable. Silver does this car no favors. The rear light design looks *very* cheap. Why bother redesigning the A8? It was a lateral move in most respects. It was a move backwards in terms of those cheap looking real lights.

I love the Audi line, but if Audi doesn’t step up it’s marketing campaign, the A8 will remain a poor seller. Audi should take a page out of Cadillac’s marketing book. Caddy used to only appeal to senior citizens and “pimps”. After massive advertising, Caddy changed that. Audis just don’t dawn on most Americans.

By: Gantra

Gantra — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:28:27 +0000

This looks boring and devoid of real design expression. It’s just a longer A4.

I really like what they came up with for the A5 and it’s sad to see they didn’t carry that design expressiveness through to the new A8.

Way too conservative design wise IMO. Like BMW and Mercedes flagship designs better.

By: h82w8

h82w8 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:52:53 +0000

A big A4 does not an A8 make. The current model’s beauty has been left in the dust for a droopy looking, pumped up A4. Sad, sad. Reminds me of what BMW did to the 740/745 transition in 2002.

If the same holds true, people will buy initially and then complain about it’s lack of grace, forcing Audi into a refresh in 2-3 yrs to fix it.

By: azbeeno

azbeeno — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:59:15 +0000

Wow, now that is one nice lookin ride dude! Wow!

RT
http://www.web-anonymity.de.tc

By: reedfast

reedfast — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:25:59 +0000

Pazzo, like most other audi models, this will probably be available with a choice of wheel styles, in sizes 17-20 inches.

By: Pazzo Canguri

Pazzo Canguri — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:35 +0000

Oh i forgot….that Christina Ricci is looking pretty good to me….i wouldnt mind givin her my pork sword….

By: Pazzo Canguri

Pazzo Canguri — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:59:08 +0000

Not bad…nice new front…. but side view has no real appeal, HATE the gearshifter…and the POXY woodgrain….put nice carbon fibre black or piano black instead…
apart from that..still very boring for the cash u will lay out…with not much change in design…
needs bigger wheels…would like to see it in black…

By: Rafa LL

Rafa LL — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:49:25 +0000

Audi has a problem, they don’t take risks at designing, therefore, once they have something that is proven to be good, they stay with it.

By: PoRsChE lOvEr

PoRsChE lOvEr — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:46:38 +0000

i think its gd in general but for a flagship car i expect a lot more ….looks a lil dumb but they’re very different in person than in photos ….i’d take a panamera

By: krautninja

krautninja — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Audi has always been a follower of the saying “less is more” and it continues here. Its not Flashy its not gaudy Its simple and classy. The interior is far better than the 7 or the S in every single way. I am a bit disappointed with the tail end… I love audi design but i do hate that when you are behind one you have to search for the model name to know which one you are following because they all take the exact same appearance. The LED front i like alot. You can notice an audi in your rearview from MILES away, those LED’s are bright as hell! and best of all no one else has the same look. S class headlights are nothing special, the BMW “halo” can be had on other cars now and alot of ricer rockets are gettin them after market but the audi swooping LEDs are unique. Im with Tornado, when it comes to the Luxo-Cruisers it’s a toss between the XJ and the A8. the XJ is a bit more stylish on the outside and will turn a few more heads, but you could live in the audi and never get sick of that interior…and considering I’d be spending alot more time on the inside of the car driving it as opposed to simply looking at it the interior is important

By: peter g

peter g — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:57:06 +0000

Great looking, no bull**** vehicle! Not overdone: No skirts, no finns, no lasers and no gun turrets, just a self-confident and forceful design.

By: bryan78701

bryan78701 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:52:54 +0000

Not a good look. It looks archaic to me just like the A4. They seem too narrow for their lengths and that doesn’t lead to a sporty or muscular stance. The front end is too droopy. The headlights are too much. I am already sick of seing the A5 and A4 headlights. They need to be cool, yet subtle like the BMW rings.

By: MurcieMe

MurcieMe — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:27:58 +0000

I thought the last generation A8, in comparison to it’s previous generation and the competition from BMW & M-B WAS a show stopper! When introduced it was dynamic and fresh. It had the sportiest look of the bunch and was quite unique.
Times have changed and the A8, it seems, hasn’t much…

By: TornadoGTI

TornadoGTI — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:36:11 +0000

I think this car turned out great. The shifter is amazing. I ALWAYS rest my right arm on the arm rest with my wrist/hand on the shift. This is perfect for me in that regard. The rest of the car looks gorgeous. The rear does look a bit like an A4 but the front is very unique. The angular LED daytime running lights will make it instantly recognizable on the street.
I think that the 7-series looks more like a refresh then does this car. The S-class certainly is a nice looking car but has always been VERY expensive compared to the A8. Not worth it in my book when you could get an S8 for the cost of an S550.

I have always believed that BMW is the drivers car and Mercedes the passengers car. Audi blends the two nicely. Making it enjoyable for both the driver and the passenger. This car looks no different for Audi. That is a good thing.

One car in this class that I was blown away with is the new Jag XJ. That car was more revolutionary for Jag while this A8 is more evolutionary for the A8. I think it is nicely done.

People who are looking for a show stopper don’t buy a car in this class. Remember that this is a large 4-door luxury car. In that regard, the A8 is far better in my book than the 7-series and overly priced S-class. IF I were to buy I would look at this new A8 and the XJ.

By: DB9

DB9 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:40:04 +0000

posted by:johnnycanuck

So true DB. They talk about a team being more than the sum of its parts. Just imagine what the sum of all the parts of an A8 would come to if ordered a la carte.
_________________________________________________

I’m thinking ~$2-5k per unit, off the shelf replacement part, may be more as they are vehicle specific advanced examples of an already new technology. If the complex electronic controllers, they interface with the cars on board navigation and control systems, for the lighting patterns are built into the units, well… hey, as they say, it’s only money…

DB9;-)

By: scratchy

scratchy — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:22:12 +0000

@ atoms , that’s what i thought when i saw the shifter.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:18:45 +0000

So true DB. They talk about a team being more than the sum of its parts. Just imagine what the sum of all the parts of an A8 would come to if ordered a la carte.

By: scratchy

scratchy — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:05:38 +0000

i remember when i first saw the A5 coupe in a magazine i thought it looked plain. but then i saw one in the flesh and i love it since. i like Audi’s style, simple, elegant , understated. i’d take an A8 over a S class or 7 series but with Xenon headlights.

By: idrinorbarsaku

idrinorbarsaku — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:03:53 +0000

I also think that the traditional light version looks a ton better! I like the pal rest idea with the shifter so it’s easier to rest your hand while controlling the mmi unit. I love the seats…they look very expensive and comfortable!

By: DB9

DB9 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:57:18 +0000

posted by:easyrider
those headlights look stupid and cheap.

posted by:singhBlazer
wat really killing me is LED head lights ns i dont see anythign special…
_____________________________________

Nothing Special, stupid and cheap?/! Let’s just say some road debris takes out one of the lighting units of your brand new 2011 A8; the resulting repair/replacement bill is going to be very-very special;-) So special in fact; you may want to “shock and awe” your friends and family with it. So, as you can see, yes indeed you will be very special… something to brag about… if that’s your thing?

DB9;-)

PS. Don’t even think of taking it through your comprehensive coverage or your next renewal will be similarly very-very special.

By: rzegatl

rzegatl — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:56:46 +0000

I don’t really like it but if it’s good enough for Christina Ricci….

By: And The Winner Is...

And The Winner Is... — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:55:28 +0000

It’s a beautiful car, no doubt, but not a ground breaking design. Would have liked it to take a bigger design leap forward as the Audi flagship, setiing the pace for the next generation of smaller Audis. Interior is the usual stunner from Audi but what’s up with that “quilted” leather? Hope that’s an option.

By: singhBlazer

singhBlazer — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:43:27 +0000

wat really killing me is LED head lights ns i dont see anythign special…

By: easyrider

easyrider — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:21:02 +0000

those headlights look stupid and cheap.

By: Borat

Borat — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:09:31 +0000

Johnny, you know it is NOT Caprice when you are looking at the broads in the audience: no tattoos.

By: BAD124

BAD124 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:20:03 +0000

To clarify – I was talking about the silver car in the second group of photos. Not the unveiling

By: BAD124

BAD124 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:15:58 +0000

Agree about the headlights on the tan car – I assume those are the all LED lights. The silver car shown has a more traditional design which I think works much better. What is the improvement of light output from HID to LED in lumens?

The LED light setup reminds me of the Infinity Q45 from a few years back with the gatling gun assembly. Just didnt look right