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2004 Audi A8 Review

Whispering Wealth

Christian Wardlaw
by Christian Wardlaw
May 1, 2007
3 min. Reading Time
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2004 Audi A8 -- Review: Flagship luxury sedans typically showcase an automaker’s arsenal of design expertise and technical daring-do, and Audi’s A8 has been no exception. The first mass-produced aluminum-bodied car to arrive on the market when it debuted in 1994, the advanced but slow-selling A8 has served as a test bed and showcase of Audi’s capability to build one of the world’s finest super luxury sedans. Plus, as fans of the film "Ronin" have witnessed, the A8 has proven a fine performer too, especially in S8 sport-tuned guise.

For 2004, Audi debuts a completely redesigned A8. Continuing to serve as Audi’s most advanced automobile, the 2004 A8 is improved over its predecessor in every way. Initially, the new Audi A8 is offered only in long-wheelbase 4.2 L trim, but for 2005, short-wheelbase 4.2 and long-wheelbase 6.0 L V12 versions will be available.

AIC AutoSite obtained a 2004 Audi A8 4.2 L for a weeklong evaluation, and emerged from the road test impressed with the German automaker’s latest technological tour de force. We drove the car in the Los Angeles region, covering city streets, multi-lane freeways and twisty two-lane mountain roads during our test-driving.

Starting with the hardware, the 2004 Audi A8 4.2 L is powered by an aluminum 4.2-liter V8 engine that meets ULEV emissions standards. In this application, the V8 makes 330 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 317 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm operating on premium unleaded fuel. Despite a curb weight of 4,399 pounds, acceleration from a standstill to 60 mph takes 6.3 seconds, according to Audi, and the EPA rates the 2004 A8 4.2 L at 17-mpg city and 24-mpg highway. Audi includes scheduled maintenance at no charge during the lifetime of the warranty, which last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Engine power flows through a new six-speed Tiptronic sequential automatic transmission with adaptive Dynamic Shift Program (DSP) technology. The Tiptronic transmission offers two modes: Drive and Sport, the latter delaying upshifts for greater engine revs and producing quicker downshifts during deceleration. Manual gear selection is available by tapping the gear selector up and down in a separate gate. Standard on the 2004 A8 4.2 L is Audi’s revered Quattro all-wheel-drive system with a Torsen center differential that continuously varies the torque split from front to rear and side-to-side, depending on road conditions.

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Overall, we loved the A8’s 4.2-liter V8 engine, with its stout power band and throaty exhaust note. During our test driving, we managed an average of just 16.3 mpg in the 2004 Audi A8 4.2 L, but that included an incredible three-hour, 46-mile commute in the rain during which we spent plenty of time stopping, starting and idling in traffic. We should note that we did achieve the EPA’s 24-mpg rating during wide-open highway cruising.

As pleasing as the engine is, we did not praise the six-speed automatic transmission. Equipped with adaptive software that is supposed to learn the driver’s style and shift accordingly, we found that the 2004 Audi A8 often delivered jarring shifts and inconsistent power delivery. Sometimes the A8 would thrust forward from a stop when what we wanted was a smooth and slow launch. On the other end of the spectrum, when we wanted quick off-the-line acceleration, we experienced a hesitation that sometimes made crossing heavy traffic a gamble. For performance driving, the Sport mode works nicely to hold revs and the Tiptronic manual mode is responsive, but in normal automatic mode the Audi A8’s transmission is an unpredictable mess.

Like the original A8, this new one is constructed of aluminum using Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology. For 2004, the ASF is comprised of fewer sections than before and is now a completely closed frame for added strength and crashworthiness. Structural rigidity is up an impressive 60 percent over the old A8.

Aluminum is also used in the construction of the pneumatic independent suspension, a four-link front and trapezoidal link rear arrangement known as the Audi Adaptive Air Suspension system. The 2004 Audi A8’s suspension is among the most advanced in the world, including continuously variable dampers with four settings from sport to plush that can be raised or lowered to match driving and road conditions as well as a self-leveling feature that keeps the A8 balanced regardless of the load it carries. The new design reduces unsprung mass and improves directional stability and handling.

Standard 17-inch aluminum wheels with 235/55R17 tires are guided by a variable-ratio, speed-sensitive Servotronic steering system that can match steering angle to the car’s speed in turns. Both 18- and 19-inch wheels are optional on the new A8. The ventilated-disc ABS includes EBD and offers 16 percent more braking power than before.

As with the transmission, the 2004 Audi A8’s braking system made the car difficult to drive smoothly in the city. Achieving a “limo stop” is near impossible with the A8’s grabby pads. Driven hard, the A8’s brakes shine brightly, exhibiting zero fade under duress through a pedal with commendable feel.

On our twisty road loop in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Audi A8 felt smaller than actual size. It hustles thanks to the “dynamic” suspension setting, but not as competently as the BMW 745i or the Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG. Enter a tight turn too quick, and the A8 exhibits plenty of push in front, the P255/45R18 Continental ContiTouringContact tires scrubbing tread as they grapple for purchase on the pavement. We also detected surprising amounts of kickback through the steering column, and felt that steering effort was too high at greater speeds, at least for a super luxury sedan like the Audi A8.

Around town, a tight turning radius made the 2004 Audi A8 exceptionally maneuverable, but at full lock we could detect a hint of axle binding from the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. For the best ride quality, select “comfort” mode for the suspension. “Dynamic” is too stiff, and we didn’t find “automatic” to be terribly satisfying.

With refinements to the transmission and braking system, the 2004 Audi A8 would have proven nearly flawless. As it stands, some competitors have the Audi beaten from a dynamic standpoint.


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