2011 Audi A8 - 2010 Detroit Auto Show

Technically speaking, Detroit is not the world premiere of Audi's fourth generation flagship A8 sedan as it was unveiled in Miami to the media and visitors to the prestigious Design Miami festival last December.

However, the North American International Auto show is the first time the new A8 gets to be seen by the general public, alongside its competitors from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

In appearance, the slightly larger 2011 Audi A8 is evolutionary rather than revolutionary as it continues the somewhat understated look of the previous generation. As before, the body is an aluminum space frame that weighs about 40% less than an all-steel body.

The most striking thing about the exterior are the new LED headlights that are similar to the ones found in the R8 sports car. They provide a distinct look even in daylight as they display curvy daylight running lights that also act as turn signals. LEDs are also used extensively inside for ambient lighting.

Speaking of the inside, the A8 gets the latest iteration of Audi's multimedia interface (MMI), which includes a touch pad not unlike one you'd find on a computer. It can even recognize handwriting. Naturally you won't want to write while driving so the controls can also be voice activated. The system was also unveiled at CES in Las Vegas last week with NVIDIA who provide Audi with the graphics card for the system. The display is crisp enough that the navigation system uses Google Earth to display routes in real time.

Initially the US version is likely to be powered solely by an upgraded version of the 4.2-liter V-8 that produces 372 hp, up from 350 hp. The all-wheel-drive A8 will also deliver improved fuel economy thanks partly to a new 8-seed Tiptronic transmission. Hopefully the A8 will also be offered in the US with diesel versions as there are three fuel-efficient diesel options offered in Europe.

The US version of the car will not go on sale until later in the year, so pricing and final specifications have yet to be revealed.

The media has not had a chance to test drive the A8 yet so it is not eligible for any "car of the year" trophies, but it has garnered its first award at the Detroit show. It won the EyesOn Design award for best production vehicle at the show. Considering that the jurors for this award include some of the world's top automotive designers, Audi must feel very proud of the car it describes as a "technical work of art" in its literature.

 

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About the Author
John Rettie wrote his first road test in his native England in 1971. As a freelancer, he has traveled the world extensively covering new vehicle introductions, racing and the auto industry. He is a member of the World Car of the Year and the International Car of the Year juries.