paulk571

Great pictures!

Thanks!

TheBrit

I think the reason the rear mesh grille is fake mesh is that there's really nothing behind it apart from undercarriage and plumbing. Looking at this picture, can you see anything that indicates the view through a real mesh would be worthwhile?
<img src="http://www.dlinternet.co.uk/chris/rs6/delivery/Dsc00020.jpg">

The A8 most likely looks "slammed" because the air suspension has been deflated to it's lowest setting. In normal use it shouldn't look that low even when parked, so I suspect the show vehicles have been lowered deliberately.

Singletrack

Beautiful being the operative word as there have been quite a few "mean-as-hell" looking Audis also. The urQuattro for one and the coupe. There is something to be said for the rugged lines on those cars.

-st

Finman

even if it is backed by black plastic...the mesh could be made thick enough to obscure the rest of the view of underpinnings...I just like things to be made out of appropriate, high-quality materials...I generally don't like "faux"-finishes...no big deal though...it looks awesome!

I agree that the A8 was mega-deflated...but it was really too low for the show...if it were in east-L.A., I could see the slamming...but it looked too low.

TheBrit

My business partner sometimes hasn't been able to get his hood open. It turns out that the front grille had cracked slightly round the release tab guides, so when he pulled the release lever, sometimes the tab would shoot out and miss the slot in the grille and vanish somewhere under the hood - not good in winter when water needs topping up frequently.

The grille does look a little flimsy - I think a fairly smallish rock thrown up from another vehicle could snap out a few of the cells quite easily.

Now an anodised aluminium version - that would be a lot more durable and probably slightly better looking too.

April

Awesome pics ! A8 has air suspension.

Edd W

We live near Coventry where Jaguar do all their R&amp;D. My eldest lad managed to do his two weeks work experience in the Special vehicle operation dept at the Browns Lane factory (the X-Type is built at Halewood, Merseyside but all R&amp;D is in Coventry). One of his tasks was to spend a day at the MIRA test facility with one of their test drivers experiencing all the test they put cars through. Of many grouelling routines the cars go through, one is a driving at 70mph over a 7" high kerb that is at 45° across a road. This as you can imagine is quite brutal on the front suspension. The car has to be still driveable after this, even though there may be damage to the rim, tyre or suspension. My son said, he felt as if he had to lift his feet off the floor as they approached this kerb, it was quite a bang when it hit, but the car just kept going, in fact straight on to do several laps of the 155mph banked circuit, with no hands on the wheel!
They do get tested quite well so it makes you wonder how these clunks get through into production.

Finman

it drove very well, and except the clunking (more sound than bad feeling) it was truly excellent. The chassis felt rock solid...and there were no creaks or squeaks...even in 4 degrees! The clunking was loud and really distracted from the otherwise pleasurable car.
I'd hafta drive another X to see if it is common or if my rental was unique. But to get a lot of Jag feeling for not too much $$$, the X is pretty nice.