Top Gear Drives the S8!
01-19-2006, 10:49 AM
#1
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Top Gear Drives the S8!
I was curious what the lads would say. Your comments?<ul><li><a href="http://www.topgear.com/drives/A2/B4/roadtests/01/01.html">http://www.topgear.com/drives/A2/B4/roadtests/01/01.html</a</li></ul>
01-19-2006, 11:51 AM
#2
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very entertaining and while the perspective is broad and helpful, demonstrates the
inevitable subjectivity of such evaluations. I'm still in for the new S8, but not because it is a faster version of the A8. Because it will likely feel hundreds of pounds lighter, yet offer all of the other substantial benefits.
01-19-2006, 11:53 AM
#3
Same Author in Autoweek this week...
A little different spin of words.<ul><li><a href="http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060116/FREE/60106004/1004/THISWEEKSISSUE">http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060116/FREE/60106004/1004/THISWEEKSISSUE</a</li></ul>
01-19-2006, 01:22 PM
#4
AudiWorld Super User
Re: Top Gear Drives the S8!
I Just arrived back from my first business trip in my A8L. It was a 800 mile one with very short notice. I had blowing snow with very slick roads in Michigan and Ontario.
I hope the S8 is offered in a "L" version. I really appreciate the room in the rear seat. People I entertain like the room as well. I used the rear seat as an office to sort out handouts for my presentations as well as finalizing it on my laptop. I took my 12vdc to 110 vac inverter to power the printer which worked great. The weather outside was frightful but it was fantastic in the A8L. The volume control for the radio is easy to get at even from the rear cabin. I enjoy XM's "the blend" in the background while working on my presentation in a highway service plaza.
I have never felt more confident in a vehicle and I have owned an older Quattro with manual differential locks as well as a GMC Envoy XL.
The return trip was with good weather. Maximum indicated speed was 110 mph for a few minutes. Average spped in good weather was indicated 85. In poor weather, I averaged 60-65 when traffic would allow. It is really noticeable when the suspension does not lower below 75 mph. What a great riding car.
This is with 17" wheels with Michelin X-Ice tires. I can't wait to put the 19" wheels with Michelin Sport AS ZR tires!
I also realize that every Audi and water cooled VW I have owned has a 5 mph error in their speedometer.
Thanks for reading this.
Mr. Bally
Other Audi's:
1981 4000S 5+5
1987 5000CS Quattro
Other VW:
1974 Super Beetle (1st car as a kid)
1978 Rabbit L
1980 Scirocco S
1980 Scirocco S (to repace totaled one above)
1992 Passat GL
2001 Beetle Turbo Sport (still have and love)
In my attempt to help GM:
1997 Chevy Venture-Yes, we have kids!
2005 Envoy XL SLT-The deal was I had to buy this for the boss before I could think about the A8L-I did. She is happy, I am happy-A win-win!
I hope the S8 is offered in a "L" version. I really appreciate the room in the rear seat. People I entertain like the room as well. I used the rear seat as an office to sort out handouts for my presentations as well as finalizing it on my laptop. I took my 12vdc to 110 vac inverter to power the printer which worked great. The weather outside was frightful but it was fantastic in the A8L. The volume control for the radio is easy to get at even from the rear cabin. I enjoy XM's "the blend" in the background while working on my presentation in a highway service plaza.
I have never felt more confident in a vehicle and I have owned an older Quattro with manual differential locks as well as a GMC Envoy XL.
The return trip was with good weather. Maximum indicated speed was 110 mph for a few minutes. Average spped in good weather was indicated 85. In poor weather, I averaged 60-65 when traffic would allow. It is really noticeable when the suspension does not lower below 75 mph. What a great riding car.
This is with 17" wheels with Michelin X-Ice tires. I can't wait to put the 19" wheels with Michelin Sport AS ZR tires!
I also realize that every Audi and water cooled VW I have owned has a 5 mph error in their speedometer.
Thanks for reading this.
Mr. Bally
Other Audi's:
1981 4000S 5+5
1987 5000CS Quattro
Other VW:
1974 Super Beetle (1st car as a kid)
1978 Rabbit L
1980 Scirocco S
1980 Scirocco S (to repace totaled one above)
1992 Passat GL
2001 Beetle Turbo Sport (still have and love)
In my attempt to help GM:
1997 Chevy Venture-Yes, we have kids!
2005 Envoy XL SLT-The deal was I had to buy this for the boss before I could think about the A8L-I did. She is happy, I am happy-A win-win!
01-20-2006, 05:54 AM
#6
New Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That reviewer should run for office!
Same car, two different reviews, what is his stance on this car anyway?
in Autoweek:
"The S8 is fast and stable, with more than enough grip. The ride is a little too soft in comfort mode, but strikes a wonderful balance between a soothing ride and road feel in automatic and dynamic modes."
In Top Gear:
"Even allowing for the creep of the auto from a standstill, there's so much immediate grunt from upfront that it's tricky to pull away without snapping your head back - another thing that's only going to delight your chauffeur while you bite back the need to shotblast the upholstery with your scarcely digested power lunch."
I'll bet in the AARP magazine the review will focus on the power trunk closer and how it closes too fast!
I would tend to agree with Victoryroad, each individual will have his/her own reason for the S8. If it's in your budget, why not experience the best Audi has to offer.
in Autoweek:
"The S8 is fast and stable, with more than enough grip. The ride is a little too soft in comfort mode, but strikes a wonderful balance between a soothing ride and road feel in automatic and dynamic modes."
In Top Gear:
"Even allowing for the creep of the auto from a standstill, there's so much immediate grunt from upfront that it's tricky to pull away without snapping your head back - another thing that's only going to delight your chauffeur while you bite back the need to shotblast the upholstery with your scarcely digested power lunch."
I'll bet in the AARP magazine the review will focus on the power trunk closer and how it closes too fast!
I would tend to agree with Victoryroad, each individual will have his/her own reason for the S8. If it's in your budget, why not experience the best Audi has to offer.
01-20-2006, 07:01 AM
#7
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll give the writer the benefit of the doubt and say that the articles were for different markets
I tend to agree more with the European and UK press on their opinion of cars, based purely on my personal view about driving and automobiles.
So often writers such as Georg Kacher and Ian Kuah have articles published on both sides of the Atlantic that I can see them tailoring their viewpoints to the markets where the mags are published.
Two of the most important differences that will offer drivers different experiences being the quality of the roadways in general and the highway systems between 2 countries or regions.
So often writers such as Georg Kacher and Ian Kuah have articles published on both sides of the Atlantic that I can see them tailoring their viewpoints to the markets where the mags are published.
Two of the most important differences that will offer drivers different experiences being the quality of the roadways in general and the highway systems between 2 countries or regions.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Egil A64.2s - S6
A8 / S8 (D2 Platform) Discussion
9
04-09-2004 02:54 PM
