Audi A8

The Audi A8 is a four-door sedan offered by Audi since the 1997 model year in the U.S. As the largest and most luxurious sedan in Audi's lineup; it's also served as the flagship of the Audi line for many years, and it's considered an alternative to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS, and even (for the S8) the Maserati Quattroporte.

Preceded in sales by an eight-cylinder version of the A6 sedan called the V8, the Audi A8 came into being when Audi created an aluminum space-frame construction.

The first generation was sold from the 1998 to the 2003 model year. This car was Audi's first mass-production aluminum space frame vehicle. Both short- and long-wheelbase A8L versions were offered, and the A8 was the first Audi to sport six airbags. While other countries were offered six-cylinder versions and a unique 12-cylinder model with cylinders arranged in a "W" pattern, the U.S. A8 came only with a V-8 engine and quattro all-wheel drive for much of this first production run. The U.S. market did get an S8 version at the end of this cycle.

In its second generation, the 2004-2010 Audi A8 brought with it the usual 4.2-liter V-8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive. Both short- and long-wheelbase versions were offered to American buyers, and the 450-horsepower, 6.0-liter W-12 engine was offered to a very few select customers. This generation was marked mainly by the large grille that had become Audi's corporate hallmark. At the end of its model run in the 2010 model year, the A8 was back to the V-8 powertrain only.

In its third generation, the Audi A8 promises even more sex appeal, isn't quite as dramatic-looking as the Jaguar XJ--the other aluminum-bodied vehicle in the class. The new A8 went on sale in the U.S. in 2010, with a 4.2-liter V-8 rated at 372 horsepower, and Audi promises that it will push the A8 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, to a top speed of 155 mph (limited electronically).

The latest version of the A8, introduced for 2011, employs an all-new MMI system, including MMI touch, which allows fingertips to trace out individual letters (of destinations, for example). Audi Drive Select also coordinates steering, powertrain and suspension into different modes; plus, there's built-in wi-fi hotspot capability, a magnificent Bang & Olufsen audio system, and Google Earth 3D navigation-system data--with of the most detailed, attractive map interfaces. In addition, the new A8 feels quick and nimble, and gas mileage is impressive, at up to 28 mpg highway.