Innov8

The first time i saw the latest generation A8 in pictures last November, I remembered proclaiming "it looks like an oversized A4!". Seeing it in the flesh for the first time at Malaga airport and i'd changed my mind. The new Audi flagship certainly looked better in the skin than in pictures. Despite being the biggest car in the class, it looks athletic and compact actually.

With elegant sloping C-pillars, the new A8 actually has a coupe like roofline that is also somewhat shared with the A5 Sportback. For the first day's test drive, we were assigned to the 4.2 TDI quattro model. There's nothing unexciting about this oil burner model - 350bhp and no less than 800Nm of twisting power.

With so much torque on hand, the 4.2 TDI quattro accelerates effortlessly up to Autopista speeds on the drive from the airport to the hotel. The engine is as smooth as silk for an oil burner. The new eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox is another joy - it shifts very quickly and adapts its shift patterns according to driving and road conditions brilliantly.

The A8's handling certainly has a sporty touch to it - the steering is precise and linear and is much better in terms of feel compared to the A4's while the ride is comfortable enough despite wearing 19-inch wheels - it's no near S-Class standards of waftability but it definitely rides better than a 7 Series.

The best aspect of the A8 though is on the inside. Quality, features and ambience is simply unsurpassed - the A8 is surely the class leader when it comes to the cabin. Innovative technologies include the latest iteration of the MMI operating system with a touch pad that recognises your handwriting.

Tomorrow, we'll be driving the 4.2 FSI quattro model that the Singapore market will see when the A8 is launched later in the year. Stay tuned for a more in depth report in the coming days!

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai Photos by Audi