I know that Audi claims a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds for the new car, 0.4 second quicker than the old body L, but some recent magazine test numbers have me wondering if the new heavier car is in fact quicker. The latest comparison test of the A8 L vs Jaguar XJ8 in Motor Trend shows a 0-60 time of 7.1 seconds, half a seocnd slower than the 294-hp Jag. I know that the '04 engine has 20 more hp, 15 more lb-ft torque and an extra gear over the '03 model, but the car is also some 350 lbs heavier. The hefty wight gain seems to have overcome the modest power increase. I still haven't seen a good explanation why an aluminum car like the A8 L should weigh more than the steel bodied MB S500 4Matic. There is some mention in the MT article about 10 standard airbags in the A8 L being partly responsible for the extra pounds, but I thought the old car had at least 8 airbags, so that can't be it. The air suspension probably has soemthign to do with it.

I find it an alarming trend with each new Audi model weighing a couple hundred pounds more than the model it replaces. I hate the looks of the new BMW 5-Series, but you have to admire the engineering gone into the car to make it lighter than the outgoing model despite adding a couple of inches to each of the body dimensions.

 

Why aren't more people asking this question?

I agree 100% that this is a problem - I'd like to see less emphasis on electronic wizardry and more on materials. A lighter car will accelerate faster, corner better, ride more smoothly, and get better mileage. Long-term reliabity can be better, too, as stress on engines, trannies, and suspension is reduced. And the more weight saved in basic structure, the more that could be added in features without degrading the car's perfomance.

Do others here think these benefits are important? Who'd be willing to trade some of the luxury features (with option delete) to get an S8 at 3500 lbs, going 0-60 in 5.4 sec, and getting 24 mpg highway? Oh, and it rides so nicely that your in-laws will never suspect it's not a stately luxo-barge?

 

I've owned both and I think the '04 feels quicker. The new transmission works much better and the new exhaust sounds stronger. The new L handles corners much better and feels better at speed and cruising around town.

Now that I've experienced the adaptive air suspension, there is no way I'd want a conventional suspension again. As for the other added electro-gimmicks. They're fun. I never feel as though this car is heavier than the last L. If I didn't know the facts, I would guess it's lighter.

 

as if you didn't know.

 

as a strong criteria for purchasing such a car.

i know i didn't. i also know what light cars can and can't do.

the fact is that this is not a sports car. Audi didn't intend it that way and certainly doesn't want it to be competing against M5s and other luxo/sports sedans. it is however, a luxury sedan that can provide enough sport to make it seem like it can cross over into the sport sedan category. look at who Audi is competing against: A merc S430 4Matic, the 7series and Lexus LS430. none of which have the capability to compete in all facets of the uber-luxury category as well as the A8L can.

This is not a stoplight drag car. But what i can say is that going WOT when the light turns green, you'd never know that this car weighed 4400lbs or that it needed 7.1 secs to get to 60 (if it does indeed need such a time). it's not about how fast but how well it got there. My modded up 944 Turbo is pretty darn fast. it would eat the A8L (as well as most of my previous sports cars) up in any form of performance test but i'd still rather choose the A8L in overall enjoyment.

Also look at the E46 M3. it too gained weight. people complained as well. but BMW gave it enough power to overcome the weight. that's b/c it's main objective is performance over luxury. The M5 weighs 4000 lbs. that's heavy in my book and i've heard the same from M5 owners. there are some who buy the M5 thinking it's a sports car with back seats and then become disappointed and end up going to a legit sports car where weight and performance are in harmony. unfortunately, they got the wrong idea. and i don't think the target A8L owner has the wrong idea when he/she finds out that the car weighs 400 lbs heavier given all the luxuries and amenities that the car offers.

Besides, we got massive 14" front rotors to counter the extra 400lbs. look at the braking performance and you'll see that this car is a top performer. Brakes are marvelous. Porsche isn't known for horsepower. they're known for handling and brakes. hmmm... if Porsche could build a luxury sedan, i'd say they'd be putting their crest on the '04 A8L.

btw, the jag costs nearly 10 grand less. in today's world, you get what you pay for.

 

I would rather admire Audi for the direction its headed as opposed to BMW regardless of 0-60 times. Whether the car weighs a few hundred lbs. more or not, to me, makes no difference. I bought the car because of what it is, not because of what it could have been!


greenie


04 A8L silver/saber

 

Apparently Audi could not get the car to travel from 0 to 60 in 6.3 seconds, so they designed the speedometer to go from 0 to 60 in 6.3 seconds. While the speedometer is going from 0 to 60, the car is only going from 0 to 54. If you don't believe it, check your car against a stationary radar system.

Don't get me wrong - I like this car,and I have greatly enjoyed the 5200 miles I have put on it, but I do not care for Audi's apparent institutional dishonesty.

JamJar
2004 A8L
Oyster/Platinum
2868

 

Almost by definition, a new S8 is a (luxury) sports sedan and therefore needs to shed weight. On track, where 0-60 times are worth almost nothing, the D2 S8 does compare very favorably to the M5.

 

I sure wasn't. I agree with you, Jee. I bought the A8L for what it is. When I want to experience rapid 0-60 times, or really enjoy a day at the track. I have a car which does that about better than anything else in my 996TT. If I had to only own a single car then my choice would have been the RS6. In my experience the so called sports sedans like the RS6, M5,or E55 are full of compromises and sacrifices. I think that the best cars are those which do fewer things REALLY well.
A8L: luxury, comfort and performance
Porsche Turbo: Raw performance, no compromises.

Robin

 

When you consider that most comparisons of BMWs and Mercedes with Audis do not take into consideration that the former do not have all wheel drive (OK, Merc has it, but they usually don't provide such a car for comparisons, because it will be awfully slower and much heavier than the Audi), the Audi isn't so heavy. I just got an '04 A8L, and it is much quicker and lighter on its wheels that my '01 A8L. In fact, it doesn't feel heavy at all, and the new trick suspension provides both the cushy ride that in-laws expect and the sharp handling that I want (and I can adjust it to both extremes). I don't need 0-60 in 5.4 sec -- I can pass anything I need to pass with the power I have in this car (and that includes a lumbering S430 that had the audacity to not only get in my way but try to race me earlier today).

But, should you want even faster times, note that the new A8 was designed to handle the brawny W-12 engine. Look for it to make its debut in a short while. That will truly be one tantalizing automobile. The 0-60 times on it might just be a negative number -- LOL.

'04 A8L black/amaretto