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Audi A8 2004: The Weekly Driver Review
Value is an integral purchasing factor for many car buyers, and it's often a simple equation. If a consumer has $2,000, $20,000 or $200,000 to spend on a vehicle, what can they fairly expect get for their dollars? But as the price increases into the luxury vehicle category, is there a point of diminishing returns? If a consumer has $75,000 to spend on a vehicle, the Audi A8 L Quattro, for example, do they care if it requires premium fuel? Do they care if in severa.l consumer guide tests, it fell far short of the manufacturer's touted 17 mph in city conditions. Or does the purchaser of the Audi A8 L Quattro prefer to revel in its extreme quietness, its front and rear seat spaciousness and comfort and its superior ride quality as the flagship sedan in Audi's fleet? If the latter is a priority, then my weekly test drive was as good as it gets. A redesign for 2004, the Audi A8 includes a 2.5-inch longer wheelbase, an inch more leg room and and increase of 20 horsepower to 330 horsepower. The engine remains the same, a 4.2 liters with five valves per cylinder. A 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift gate replaces a 5-speed automatic. Other changes include optional 18 or 19 inch wheels instead of standard 17-inch wheels from the previous generation, and optional heated front and rear seats and steering wheel. Having not driven an Audi Quattro in its previous edition, I obviously couldn't make any comparisons. Nonetheless, it was hard not to be impressed with the vehicle from its platinum beige pearl exterior and perfectly matched leather beige interior to its elegantly designed and positioned birch wood trimmings. In short, the Audi A8 exudes elegance and drives accordingly. Steering and handling and ride quality were all extraordinary in city and freeway conditions. It accelerates well and seemingly commands respect on the road.
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