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2007 Audi A8 L Long-Term: The All-Occasion All-Event Flagship
The Night Blue Pearl Effect Audi A8 L came in at the perfect time of the year: the dawn of spring. Its shade -- which could double as the name of Prince’s next album -- was seductive. The 20” 7-double spoke alloy spins that came with the Sport Package ($4,000) were menacing. We didn’t even have to upgrade except for the BF Goodrich rubber. The windows are dark like haunted houses. The cabin is nightclub sexy. “It’s way better than a Benz!” And that came not just from us, but from numerous car enthusiasts and social influencers.
 Whether dressed up in Automotive Rhythms signage or unaltered from the factory, the A8 and its long wheel base cousin A8 L are works of power and elegance. The exterior exudes sophistication and class while the interior drapes occupants in luxury and style. At first look, the aluminum bodied A8 L has a commanding but not overly flashy appearance. The body begins with a low and short front overhang, with the new-age, massive Audi grille. Moving back, the beltline is high and steadily rises to the rear giving this king-size sedan a sleek and sporty look. We’ve always said that if Audi marketed its vehicles with aggression the competition would be in trouble. But if one doesn’t know the A8 exists, then one won’t be a believer.
Inside our Sand Beige interior is nothing short of “ahhhhhh.” From the 16-way power front Valcona leather seats with optional heat, cooling, massage and four-way lumbar controls, to the spaciousness of the rear seat, the A8 L is lavish and comfortable. Our long-term A8 L is even equipped with a rear refrigerator ($1,500) and glasses located behind the pull down center armrest.
 The rest of the story lies in the technology of the A8 L. The vehicle’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) with retractable color screen is efficient and simple to operate. Yes, Audi’s central control dial with on-screen menus, settings and controls is very user friendly, unlike some others on the market like BMW’s iDrive. Whether adjusting the vehicle’s adaptive air suspension (comes with Sports Package) or inputting addresses in the navigation system, making selections is a breeze. Also a plus are direct access switches for climate and audio so that the MMI controller can be bypassed for these items if desired.
With all of the switches and dials present in the A8 L, my favorite driving convenience was the small screen centrally located between the speedometer and the tachometer which displayed useful information from audio presets to the next turn from the A8’s DVD based nav system. This screen is so useful in that the driver’s eyes can continue to look forward while seeing information typically only visible off to the right.
The audio system featuring Sirius Satellite Radio provides useful entertainment. Speaking of the audio, our long-term was missing the standard 12 speaker Bose Surround Sound System, but had the optional 1000-watt, 14 speaker Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. Complete with pop up tweeters on the dash, this $6,300 system had wonderful highs but lacked the heavy bass an urban music connoisseur demands.
 Some high end options are worth paying for and Audi’s “Adaptive Cruise Control” ($2,100) is one of them. When engaged, small red points surround the permissible miles-per-hour range on the speedometer so the driver can lock in and see precisely the speed they want to maintain. Once the speed is set, the system detects any slower moving vehicles ahead and actually slows the car to a safe following speed. If you switch lanes or the car in front speeds up, the system will quickly resume the pre-set speed. This system works great and can be tweaked to any one of four distances depending on your driving preference. When set to the shortest distance, the system reacts quickly in both braking and acceleration and makes life very easy for the driver on long trips.
And on that journey, you feel like there is no place you’d rather be. The 350-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 is ultra-smooth and confidently propels the car in a powerful way. As expected, the A8 L clings to the road and handles like a dream. The continuous corrections of the adaptive air suspension, quattro all-wheel-drive and speed sensitive steering are just some of the features that culminate into a perfectly rounded driving experience. Price of admission? $102,885 ($72,900 MSRP)
The A8 L is a rare vehicle where all aspects come together to form a great package and a wonderful overall ownership experience. Oh, and the first scheduled maintenance was free!
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