MotorMouths

Wat exactly are you getting with the 2013 A8 3.0T? A more affordable entry point into the range that doesn’t lose anything in the way of driving dynamics while still offering relatively good looks, top-notch comfort and absolute class-leading tech.

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.

Audi’s new 2011 A8 is a better, more spirited car than the model it replaces, boasting lots of technology and excellent performance.

In objective terms, the Audi A8 is fully competitive with the vaunted Germans from BMW and Mercedes, but there are still only a few folks who, with a $100,000 bill in their pocket, decide to stop in the Audi store.

The lightweight aluminum space-frame and 372HP V8 means the A8 is on par with its peers, but Audi’s rear-biased Quattro all-wheel-drive puts it into new territory. For lack of a better phrase, they’ve put old luxury on notice and infused some very welcome “sport” into its flagship.

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.

The base sticker price on the 2011 A8 is $78,050 versus $94,600 for the Mercedes S-class. Bargains are not usually associated with premium automobiles, but by that measure, the Audi A8 qualifies as one.

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.

The 2012 Audi A8 blends tasteful exterior styling with reasonable performance and supreme passenger comfort. It represents a superb choice in a German luxury sedan.

while this latest A8 may not look radically new, it packs enough leading edge technology to render it a worthy step forward for Audi’s range-topping sedan.

While the XJ and the 7 Series have superb cockpits, the 2011 Audi A8’s mix of shiny tech and man-cave comforts is hard to beat. It’s odd that Audi thought of everything except perfecting the most elemental bit — driving.

The 2011 Audi A8 offers best-in-class technology and competitive performance. All-wheel drive is also standard, a welcome feature if you live in more inclement climates. If you are a 7 Series or S-Class customer, the A8 deserves your attention.