MotorMouths

If you’re a driving enthusiast in search of a very large car, the Audi A8 wins by just about any objective measure, and by many subjective measures as well.

Once you make the sharp-looking 2011 Audi A8 lose its confounded German cool, then you can appreciate just how good it is. It’s a very big leap ahead versus its predecessor. As an all-around effort, it is at least the equal to its competition from BMW and Mercedes.

Like the latest 7-series, the new Audi A8 drives smaller than its length (202.2 inches) suggests. The A8’s interior is fantastic, with not one texture or material taking a tactile wrong turn.

From a touch-based interface that allows drivers to enter queries by simply drawing characters to an all-new eight-speed transmission and some of the highest-quality interior materials we’ve seen, the car is a monumental achievement for Audi.

Audi prides itself on its engineering prowess and forward thinking. As flagships go, the new A8, from its elegant good looks to its sporty drive and bevy of electronic goodies, waves the Audi banner like none before.

With the new A8, Audi has performed a sort of automotive alchemy. From the sum of basic elements such as wood, leather, steel, and aluminum, Audi has created the whole of a luxury sedan that is as pleasing to the senses as it is to the intellect.

If you’re still wondering why you wouldn’t go for the equivalent BMW 7-Series, trust us when we say the A8 is more car in every aspect, minus the engine. But with the 8-speed transmission, even the naturally aspirated V8 is more than enough.

Having spent hours behind the wheel and taken the time to enjoy the adjustable seats and other amenities in the rear passenger compartment, the 2011 Audi A8 will be a force to be reckoned with for other luxury flagships.

Graceful, quick and full of so many thoughtful and luxurious features that any new owner will be discovering new delights for months after purchase. For the select few who have the wherewithal and the inclination, the Audi A8L W12 is the new road king.

The 2011 Audi A8L W-12 is one of the infinitesimally small number of cars that have been engineered with both dynamic excellence for those twirling the steering wheel and five-star appointments for those occupying the rear seats.

The top Audi A8 is every bit as pleasant to drive as one might expect of a twelve-cylinder, six-figure German luxury sedan. As cliché as it may sound, however, the A8L is a car best enjoyed from the back seat.

While many individual pieces of the A8 are best in class, from the stunning front end to the interior, they don’t meld together to provide the ultimate driving experience required in this Olympian segment.