2005 Audi A8 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Audi added a shorter-wheelbase base model and 12-cylinder flagship to its A8 line for 2005. The A8 is shorter by 5.1 inches in wheelbase and in overall length than the A8 L and W12. The A8 and the A8 L models have a 330-hp 4.2-liter V8. The W12 has a 450-hp 6.0-liter W12. A 6-speed automatic with manual shift gate and sport mode is the sole transmission. Audi's quattro all-wheel drive is standard. Also standard is a driver-adjustable air suspension with four driver-selectable settings. Front and rear side airbags, front knee airbags, and head-protecting curtain side airbags are standard. So are ABS, antiskid control, xenon headlights, and a navigation system. W12 has 19-inch wheels. Available for A8 and A8 L are 18- and 19-inch wheels in place of the standard 17s. Steering-linked adaptive headlamps and rear DVD entertainment are exclusive to W12. Standard on W12 and available for A8 and A8 L are an obstacle-detection system and keyless access that operates without removing keyfob from pocket or purse. Among the options are satellite radio and adaptive cruise control designed to maintain a set distance from traffic ahead. We have not yet tested the W12.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Large Cars are top-of-the-line sedans in size and luxury. Many are manufacturer flagships and/or showcases for the newest automotive technology. Some have 6-figure price tags.

Our Best Buys include the Audi A8 and Lexus LS 430. Our Recommended picks include the Buick Park Avenue, Cadillac DeVille, and Volkswagen Phaeton.

News

There's nothing more on the A8 radar, now that "shorty" V8 and flagship W12 models have arrived, along with Audi's big new signature grille for all three models. The only thing left to complete the lineup is a new high-performance S8, and that should surface for 2006 or '07 on the standard A8 platform. Look for a twin-turbo V8 with upwards of 500 hp, plus the usual sporty-model chassis and cosmetic upgrades.

Meantime, Audi is finishing up a mid-engine 2-seat high-performance coupe based on the Lamborghini Gallardo. Audi owns Italy's Lamborghini and helped developed the Gallardo. Audi's version, previewed by the recent LeMans Quattro concept, will share the Gallardo's all-wheel drive chassis, basic spaceframe structure and general size, but will have a softer suspension and different engines. Power will come from either a pumped-up Audi V8 with around 425 hp or a new Audi-designed 5.2-liter V10 now being developed for around 520 hp. The transmission is said to be a computer-controlled manual--what Audi calls a Direct Shift Gearbox--with automatic shift mode and 6 or possibly 7 forward speeds. Styling and some dimensions will be unique, and the Audi will have more luxurious appointments in line with its mission as a comfortable road-gobbling tourer rather than all-out sports car. Sources expect the as-yet unnamed supercar in September 2006--for Europe. U.S. sale is unclear.

2005 Audi A8 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Control layout

Handling/roadholding

Room and comfort

Interior materials

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
7	7	6.7

Engine feels strong at any speed; test A8 L did 6.6 sec 0-60 mph. Some testers complained of overly sensitive throttle action coming away from a stop. Transmission offers Drive and Sport shift positions; downshifts slow in Drive, quicker in Sport, but Sport won't shift into 6th gear on highway. No opportunity yet to test shorter-length A8.

Fuel Economy

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
4	4	4.1

Test A8 Ls averaged 15.9-16.2 mpg in mixed driving, 18.8-19.0 in mostly highway use. Premium-grade fuel required.

Ride Quality

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
8	7	8.2

Generally absorbent, though 19-inch tires generate noticeable impact harshness. Stable at speed, but large bumps can induce unsettling wallow in Comfort and Automatic modes. No opportunity to test with standard 17-inch tires.

Steering/Handling/Braking

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
8	8	6.8

Body lean noticeable in Automatic mode, pronounced in Comfort, which is best reserved for flat interstate duty. Sporty Dynamic mode provides impressive control and little lean. Steering firm, accurate, though a little light at lower speeds. Available 19-inch tires do little to enhance control vs. 18s. Strong braking.

Quietness

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
9	8	8.5

Impressively quiet on almost all surfaces. Road noise well-muted in Comfort and Automatic settings, more pronounced in Dynamic mode and with 19-inch tires. Nearly silent engine emits sophisticated, muted growl in rapid acceleration. Wind mostly a whisper.

Controls

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
6	6	6.2

Large gauges clearly marked. Basic audio and all heating/ventilation controls are by traditional switchgear. But Audi apes BMW's iDrive with its MMI system, which controls less frequently accessed functions with a single center-console knob flanked by four buttons; chosen positions display on a dashboard screen. System is standard equipment and fairly logical in operation, but forces multiple steps to accomplish what are usually simple tasks, thereby requiring a long look away from the road. MMI/navigation-system screen retracts into dashboard when not in use. Top-notch materials and restrained design give the A8 L's interior a classy look that stands out in the segment.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
10	10	8.7

Generous head and leg room. Firm, roomy seats, excellent support. Split center console customizes armrest heights for driver and passenger. Outward visibility obstructed by rear headrests and side roof pillars.

Room/Comfort (rear)

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
10	10	8.3

A8L has ample leg space for taller riders, even with front seats fully back. Contoured recesses in roof liner provide good 6-footer head room, but make some passengers feel closed-in. As in front, large, wide door openings for easy entry/exit.

Cargo Room

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
6	6	5

Power trunklid opens high enough to accept larger items. Low liftover, flat floor add to large trunk's utility. Interior storage enhanced by pull-open portfolio-sized pockets on all doors.

Value within Class

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
9	8	5.7

It centralizes too many accessory functions into a single console control. And the adjustable air suspension can't seem to deliver an optimal ride/handling balance. But overall, the A8 is a formidable rival to the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Audi trails those brands for prestige and resale value, but the A8 trumps its European rivals for interior decor, standard AWD, and base price. That qualifies it as a class Best Buy.

Total Score

L w/18-inch wheels	L w/19-inch wheels	Class Average
77	74	68.2

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		58
Average Score		68
High Score		79

2005 Audi A8 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 12/01/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$66,590	$62,274	$720

L 4-door sedan	$69,900	$65,352	$720

W12 4-door sedan	$117,400	$107,179	$720

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

4.2-liter V8 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, all-wheel drive, traction control, limited-slip front and rear differentials.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, curtain side airbags, front knee airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor, emergency inside trunk release, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, OnStar assistance system w/one-year service, power steering, power tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, 16-way power front seats w/power lumbar adjustment and headrests, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel, climate controls), center console, cupholders, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors w/automatic day/night and passenger-side tilt-down back-up aid, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, Bose AM/FM radio, 6-disc CD changer, digital clock, tachometer, navigation system, trip computer, illuminated visor mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage-door opener, variable-intermittent wipers w/heated nozzles, map lights, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, bi-xenon headlights w/washers, front and rear fog lights, adjustable air suspension, full-size spare tire, 235/55R17 tires, alloy wheels.

L adds to Base:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Heated door locks, manual side sunshades.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

5-inch-longer wheelbase.

W12 adds to L:

Powertrain

6.0-liter W12 engine.

Safety

Front- and rear-obstacle-detection system.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Rear dual-zone climate controls, heated front and rear seats, massaging and ventilated front seats, power rear bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, alcantara interior trim, wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, voice control for navigation and radio, hands-free cellular telephone link, keyless starting and access, door- and trunk-closing assist, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, rear illuminated visor mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, power rear and side sunshades, trunk pass-through w/ski sack.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Security glass, steering-linked headlights, cornering lights, 255/40VR19 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Convenience Pkg.
Base, L	$2,000	$1,780
Keyless starting and access, rear visor mirrors (L), manual side sunshades (Base), power rear sunshade, power trunk open/close.

Cold Weather Pkg. I
Base, L	$1,100	$979
Heated front and rear seats, ski sack, heated steering wheel. NA w/wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Cold Weather Pkg. II
Base, L	$950	$846
Heated front and rear seats, ski sack. Requires wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Powertrain
California/Northeast emissions
Base, L, W12	$150	$150


Safety
Front- and rear-obstacle-detection system
Base, L	$700	$623


Dual-paned security glass
Base, L	$600	$534


Comfort and Convenience Features
Rear dual-zone climate controls
Base, L	$600	$534


Rear refrigerator
W12	$1,500	$1,365
Replaces trunk pass-through and ski sack. NA w/rear bench seat.

Satellite radio
Base, L	$550	$490
W12	$550	$501
Requires monthly fee after 3rd month.

Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel
Base, L	$480	$427
Includes wood shift knob.

Ventilated/massaging front seats
Base, L	$1,500	$1,335
Requires Cold Weather Pkg.

Rear-seat power lumbar adjustment
Base, L	$350	$312


Rear bench seat
W12	$0	$0
Deletes power rear seats w/lumbar adjustment.

Alcantara interior trim
Base, L	$1,500	$1,335


Additional leather upholstery
W12	$3,200	$2,912


Leather door armrests
Base, L	$750	$668
Includes leather center console, unique stitching.

Power door-close assist
Base, L	$450	$405


Sunroof solar panel
Base, L	$650	$579
W12	$650	$592
Includes solar-powered fan.

Adaptive cruise control
Base, L	$2,100	$1,869
W12	$2,100	$1,911


Appearance and Miscellaneous
5-spoke alloy wheels
Base, L	$1,150	$1,024
W12	$0	$0
Includes 255/45HR18 tires.

9-spoke alloy wheels
Base, L	$1,700	$1,513
Includes 255/45HR18 tires.

255/40YR19 tires
Base, L	$1,900	$1,691


275/35ZR20 tires
W12	$2,000	$1,820

2005 Audi A8 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Audi A8 4-door sedan	Audi A8 L 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	115.9	121.1

Overall Length, in.	198.9	204.0

Overall Width, in.	74.6	74.6

Overall Height, in.	56.9	57.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	4288	4399

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	17.6	17.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	23.8	23.8

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	37.3	37.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.4	41.3

Rear Head Room, in.	38.0	38.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	37.6	42.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V8	dohc W12

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.2 /255	6.0 /366

Horsepower @ rpm.	330 @ 6500	450 @ 6200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	317 @ 3500	428 @ 4000

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

6-speed automatic	18/24	15/21

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Audi A8 4-door sedan

Audi A8 L 4-door sedan

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	12/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	4/50,000	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Germany

Drivewheels: all-wheel drive

< 2005 Audi A8 Photos

Also in the 2005 Audi A8 Review:

Audi A8

Audi A8 Road Test

Audi A8 Prices & Equipment

Audi A8 Specs & Safety

Audi A8 Photos

Audi A8 Full Review

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