Latest reviews of 2004 Audi A8

Before we give you the answer let's go back to January and see what we told you about the A8...

From our 1/16/03 issue:

Auto Spies first annual "Top ten worst vehicles at the shows"
Someone's gotta do it!

9. Audi A8- Probably one of our most anticipated updates to a car. After learning their lesson with the last A8, being too conservative, why on earth did they choose the ‘play it safe’ move again. This extremely well made automobile had AMAZING potential, but is a letdown in real life, inside AND outside. Now you can yawn. We hope the Pikes Peak doesn’t get ‘dumbed down’ like this. BMW and MB, you’re now alone, at the top.
 


This month's Car and Driver (magazine, not website) has reviewed the A8 and here are a few snippets...

It was a pretty lukewarm review in our opinion...

"We moved on to the air spring suspension control in the MMI but found it didn't provide much relief from the A8's fairly brittle ride"

"Turned loose on the freeway, the A8's big wheels and tires send shockwaves through the suspension that keep your internal Richter scale constatly twitching"

"The A8 actrually shivers from side to side"

"Nor does the A8 feel terribly quick"

"On the track the A8 is sucking high-octane exhaust both the Benz and the BMW"

"Several drivers expressed their preference for the more placid ride and capable handling of the MB S500 4-matic"

There's more great stuff in the review...it's on newstands now

Auto Spies perspective: We told you in January you'd be dissappointed...don't get us wrong...It's a good car, even bordering on a great car...it's just not good enough. It's BORING!!!!! It looks like the old VW Quantums big brother...and I should know, I bought one of the first Quantums when it came out!

As we said, MB and BMW, you can rest alone at the top for the next few years...But God forbid if Audi takes our comments seriously and brings out a killer design with performance to match...