Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Audi A8 Avantissimo

It's Audi's most ambitious project yet, and a car that promises to rewrite the luxury car rulebook... Unveiled in front of a stunned audience at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the A8 Avantissimo exhibits style, luxury and performance in equal measures. Auto Express simply had to get behind the wheel first.

March 2002

It's Audi's most ambitious project yet, and a car that promises to rewrite the luxury car rulebook... Unveiled in front of a stunned audience at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the A8 Avantissimo exhibits style, luxury and performance in equal measures. Auto Express simply had to get behind the wheel first.

Barely had the car been lifted from its show hall stage before we found ourselves at the helm of the AWD star, firing up its 4.2-litre bi-turbo V8 engine for this exclusive drive. But before we slot the six-speed tiptronic gearbox into drive, it's worth looking at the distinctive A8 styling which has to woo Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series buyers.

The design shows us how the A8 saloon will look when it is launched late in 2002. It's the first time Audi has used its Avant body style in the luxury car market, and the firm is keen to point out that this is no mere estate, but a recreation of the 'shooting brake' so popular in the past.

'We aimed to combine the elegance of a traditional yacht with the comfort of a private jet,' says the engineer behind the Avantissimo, Dr Peter Tropschuh. And the evidence of this can be seen from the driver's seat, where the clarity of the dashboard is matched by the view of the road ahead created by an enormous glass area.

Firing the 420bhp engine is simple - just reach forward and press a button. The powerplant settles to an urgent idle that is purposeful, but refined. The gearbox channels power effortlessly through the quattro system, shifting smoothly and efficiently. Speed grows steadily as the big car is propelled by the potent unit, and road noise is kept to a bare minimum. Its heavy steering, however, will not be a feature of the finished machine, despite the fact that the huge wheels and run-flat Michelin PAX tyres are expected on the new car. Inside, neon tubes glow faintly around the milky-white glass roof panels which turn transparent at the touch of a button. 'Varilite' is Audi's name for this lighting system, which is also used in the rear window and windscreen sunstrip. The technology can be controlled remotely, too, offering the driver the ability to carry out constant adjustments. Elsewhere, the company has looked to the Thirties in its bid to set new standards of luxury. The brown leather height-adjustable armrests are reminiscent of trim in an early Rolls-Royce, while wood inlays recreate the detailing of expensive, ocean-going yachts. The theme continues at the rear, in the leather-covered loading area with aluminium floor rails.

The back opens via remote control. Click it once and the boot door rises to reveal a giant compartment. Another press and the loading deck slides out 46cm. A third sends the bay in 75cm, covering the two rear seats once they have been folded flat. Although classic design is important, Audi engineers admit that equal weight has been given to ensuring the car uses the latest technology. 'We want to make life easier for drivers and have therefore done away with cockpit clutter,' explained Audi design chief Peter Schreyer. The phone, sat-nav and audio controls are on a small panel of mother-of-pearl buttons, while information is displayed in the instrument cluster.

Despite being an early development of the A8, the Avantissimo proves comfortable and capable. And from what we have experienced, we can't help but feel that Audi could pull off a major coup in this ultra-competitive market. With no S-Class or 7-Series 'shooting brake' planned, things have never looked so promising for the A8.

Audi's bold A8 Avantissimo has certainly made an impression on us. Not only is it a stunning piece of design, it's also a working prototype that shows BMW had better be worried. The 4.2-litre V8 bi-turbo engine is both smooth and powerful, and Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system is the perfect way of ensuring this muscle is channelled on to the road in a controlled and safe manner. Interior space is incredibly impressive, too, and the car exudes a luxury even its fiercest rivals would struggle to match.

At a glance

* Audi A8 Avantissimo unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show

* Powered by a 420bhp 4.2-litre bi-turbo V8 engine

* Offers quattro all-wheel drive and tiptronic automatic gearbox

* Styling points to forthcoming A8 saloon that's due in 2002

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

0 Comment

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -