2011 Audi A8 L

The new A8 is a huge step ahead of the previous model

Published on May 01, 2011 07:00:00 AM

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By giving the A8 multiple suspension settings, Audi has attempted to broaden the A8’s dynamic repertoire. These settings dramatically change the behaviour of the car. In Comfort mode, the car absorbs most of the bumps with ease and this mode is best for city use. But as speeds increase, it feels a touch too soft and there’s a fair amount of vertical movement.

Go to the other extreme, Sport, and the A8 feels distinctly tauter and the ride is too stiff for most of our roads. It’s only on super-smooth surfaces (hard to find) that this setting works well and complements the phenomenal traction offered by the Quattro four-wheel-drive system. We found the Normal mode to be the best compromise for high-speed transit as it offers a flat yet pliant ride, with good body control.

However, despite all this techno wizardry, a raised suspension and higher profile tyres, the A8’s ride still isn’t class leading. The big Audi doesn’t feel as settled as we would have liked and on an uneven surface, there is a fair amount of body movement too.

Also, the steering though precise lacks feel and doesn’t engage the driver in a particularly entertaining way. In Sport mode, the steering does weight up and get heavier but the feel or contact with the road doesn’t really improve. The light and quick steering makes the A8 effortless to drive in town but you need to keep an eye out for its marine dimensions, which can be quite a handful in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You are always aware of the car’s length and girth and this can make city driving quite stressful. Poor ground clearance is also a bit of an issue.

The huge overhangs and low nose make the A8L vulnerable and then the Audi’s large underbelly is all too easy to scrape. And this feels worse than fingernails on a blackboard. There is a lift mode to increase the car’s clearance by 20mm but that doesn’t really help over large speedbreakers. Rear visibility too is hampered by the thick C-pillars but thankfully, while reversing, a camera lends a helping hand.