DRIVEN + VIDEO: In-depth Review Of The All-new Audi A8 Shows Off Its Technology Features — Are You WOWED?

Most reviewers say this is now top of the class and that's without experiencing Audi's new active suspension system as it wasn't ready on test cars.

I predict this will beat the S Class in future head to head tests.

While I agree the A8's tech is impressive, I have to say it always is every time a new generation emerges. And I'd hope it would be more advanced than a car that came out in 2014 (the S Class).

However, what the S Class embodies for the CEO's, World leaders, celebrities, athletes, and artist that drive/ride in them is something more than a neat feature or piece of technology could ever offer.

While the A8 should do well against the S Class rivals, as for the S Class itself, Mercedes has achieved something special, rare, and nearly impossible for most brands regardless industry to do....

And that's create one of the most beloved, cult followed, inspiring products of all time. While tech is awesome, it comes and goes, but that image, reputation, and status last a lifetime and literally has done just that for the three pointed star.

Most reviewers say very nice things because they are in effect paid to do so. They get to go to a nice location where they are wined and dined with the finest of every everything in food and alcohol. If a contrary word were published, they don't get invited back. The way you get invited to the next free vacation is to say all sorts of syrupy things and post 10,000 nearly identical pictures of the car.

And I predict that the A8 will not even outsell the Buick Lacrosse in the USA

Sorry - the S class has the prestige that now transcends the a8/7series. It is a car that people want to be seen in. Most people can readily identify the big Mercedes - but cannot tell the difference between Audi models. AS long as Audi and BMW continue to style their cars with cues that make them appear smaller than they are - they lose the Luxury Large car market to the S-class. In fact - the S-class is now moving up towards the Super Luxury class with the Mulsanne and Phantom- instead of down to the A8/7 series.

Since I still put Audi in the near luxury class - with Volvo and Buick - the A8 will have its hands full trying to compete with their largest offerings.

@TomM, Great Oracle, the A8 already sells 1/10th the volume of the Lacrosse.

" Most people can readily identify the big Mercedes - but cannot tell the difference between Audi models. AS long as Audi and BMW continue to style their cars with cues that make them appear smaller than they are - they lose the Luxury Large car market to the S-class."

Like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class look like completely different cars than the S-Class. Get a clue. Mercedes-Benz is as guilty and perhaps even more so than BMW and Audi when it comes to the same sausage different length design language.

I fully agree with the above. The A8’s autonomous driving technology is far more advanced than BMW’s 7-Series or the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The smart suspension is also more advanced than the system Mercedes offers. The new A8 is automatically raised several inches to reduce the impact of a pothole or in the event of a collision.

Let's assume it is. Why then style it to look 15 years old?

With all these neat technologies, Audi has to don the A8 face with "huge dental braces" (reviewer's words) up front. This is a big letdown for an all around great car.

I love this car. I hated the front when i first saw it, but it doesn't look as bad now. I guess it's growing on me. I still wish they would have did to the exterior what they did to the interior. All new design... We needed something that are you break your neck a d say wtf is that, like when the 08 A5/S5 was released.

I've never bought a car because I've been wowed by one thing, like horsepower or badge or tech. To my eyes, the A8's exterior looks likes it's several years old, and more in line with mid-market styling than leading edge luxury. It's not ugly, but it's damned with faint praise ("it's not ugly" rather than "Wow! Gorgeous!").

As for positive reviews, that common when ad revenue and lavish launch parties are bestowed on reviewers. For unbiased views, look to independents who have no vested interest in the vehicle or in staying in business by saying the "right" things about their sponsors' products.

NOTE: I do not allege this is a bad car. It's just a non-event, which will make no meaningful impact on the Mercedes S-Class.

LOL

" Most people can readily identify the big Mercedes - but cannot tell the difference between Audi models. AS long as Audi and BMW continue to style their cars with cues that make them appear smaller than they are - they lose the Luxury Large car market to the S-class."

Like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class look like completely different cars than the S-Class. Get a clue. Mercedes-Benz is as guilty and perhaps even more so than BMW and Audi when it comes to the same sausage different length design language.

Huh? The C and E class MB's are barely indistinguishable. The S is different becuase (a) it came first and (b) it is gigantic in size. While the S is clearly the class sales leader some people are looking for an alternative. Some people don't like the styling and lots of people tolerate but don't really like the jumbo-tron dash.

Let's see how the A8 sells before drawing conclusions. Many customers in the demographic (i.e. the not too young) have complained that the S550/560 is hard to see out of due to its sight-lines, high window sills, super high trunk, and gigantic rear head rests.

I think some will give this Audi a shot and I think industry people's low expectations will be exceeded, sales-wise. The A8 is a handsome sedan, where the prior gen was just super-ugly, especially in LWB size. The new one has smooth, flowing, lines - the old one looked like a plant employee took and arc-welder, sliced an A8 in 1/2 and then added 8".

New one is conservative and handsome - meets expectations of the demographic.

Which will look like the 2018.

New tech is great, but in today's world, it does not equate to deal breakers. Everyone talked about BMW's gesture control and guess what, most people saw it more of a nuisance and a gimmick. Is Audi's smart suspension nifty? Sure, but Mercedes' Magic Body Control does just as well and was first. Is Audi's autonomous driving level great? Sure, but that's not a selling point save for a few borrowers because autonomous driving is yet to be fully proven and fully embraced by the buying public. By the time that moment comes, pretty much all luxury car companies will be offering the highest level autonomous driving cars. Is the side-impact lift effect a cool thing? Personally, I would fear that it would lead to more impact rollovers.

This is just pure boredom and should only appeal to government institutions to drive high ranking employees.