If you are a fan of future-tech, you will love Audi鈥檚 upcoming A8 flagship sedan. If, however, you are someone that loves to drive fine handling cars, you may sink further into depression. The German manufacturers, once renowned for engineering 鈥渟oul鈥?into their vehicles, continue on a seemingly inexorable march toward bland autonomy. All in the name of 鈥渕y car is smarter than yours! Let me start with the upfront specs. Length is up by 1.5 inches, but weight has been reduced, courtesy of a blend of aluminum, high-tensile steel, a dash of magnesium and a splendid carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. The result is a chassis 24% more rigid than its predecessor. Two engines will initially be available, including a 3.0L V-6 with 340 horsepower and a twin-turbo 4.0L V8 with 460 ponies and 487 lb-ft of torque. The V6 will get waft the sedan to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and I expect the V8 to get there closer to 5 seconds. Both engines mate with an ultra-smooth and unobtrusive 8-speed automatic.
The latest Audis continue to read fine in external view, but they have lost that sexy swagger from previous designs. Sure, the new A8 is stately and classic in proportion, but I fear a bit too restrained in overall design. The latest take on the Audi hexagonal grille is a bit of a wart as well, as it is too prominent in the front fascia. The interior does live up to previously tasteful Audi standards, with rich materials and crisp design. The big change you will notice here is the presentation of Audi鈥檚 MMI interface, with a second centrally mounted 8.6-inch touchscreen below the main 10.1-inch navigation/multimedia screen. The lower screen is dedicated to HVAC and seat functions, replacing myriad buttons, knobs and doohickeys. It is all very tastefully done and reasonably user-friendly and intuitive. The 2019 A8 is being touted as the first production car capable of Level 3 autonomy. Christened Traffic Jam Pilot, the system works from all stop up to 37 mph fully controlling steering, speed and brakes in traffic. Who needs a driver? On the good side of the ledger, the A8 has an available all-wheel steering option, which makes the sedan feel much smaller and nimbler on the road. Another option is an electrically controlled active suspension that can literally lift a wheel over 2 inches to aid in traversing bumps. The overall driving impression is smooth, capable and quiet, with just a hint of that diving soul peeking out every so often. Will it be enough to make enthusiasts happy? Will the prodigious tech make luxe car fans happy?
MSRP: Starting price represents the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the base model trim. See "Trims" options for MSRP of model shown. The MSRP does not include destination and handling charges, taxes, title, license, options, and dealer chargers. Actual prices are set by the dealer and may vary. All MPG figures are EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary among options, driving conditions, driving habits, and the vehicle's condition. While we make every effort to ensure the data listed here is correct, there may be instances where some of the factory rebates, incentives, options or vehicle features may be listed incorrectly as we get data from multiple data sources. PLEASE MAKE SURE to confirm the details of this vehicle (such as what factory rebates you may or may not qualify for) with the dealer to ensure its accuracy. Dealer cannot be held liable for data that is listed incorrectly. Are you looking for the new 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera in St. Louis MO? Porsche St. Louis can also help you customize your 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera right down to the trim, exterior color and interior. And with the Porsche Tequipment range of accessories developed specifically for your 911 Carrera, you can style your car at your own preference, all while keeping your original car warranty intact. Regardless of what brings you in, we are sure you'll be impressed by our facilities here at Porsche St. Louis. And although we are in St. Louis, we have Porsche clients from all over the nation, including cities like Springfield and Chicago, IL. We look forward to working with you!
If your gut feeling tells you it doesn't look right then it usually isn't. Dexron II Automatic Transmission/Power Steering Fluid (Approx. Amateur mechanic job time Approx. Half the battle with this particular job was establishing right from wrong and making sure I had the correct parts and brackets. It is also worth noting that there are two versions of the power steering oil cooler, fortunately the more common coiled version fits later and early models with the correct bracket. So here's how the cooler was wrongly mounted and why I couldn't just leave it where it was. The picture below shows it mounted incorrectly in the engine bay on the radiator between the fan and the lower radiator hose. The coil is very rusty and has been twisted to fit the location. Look how close the lower part of the coil is to the power steering belt! And has also been zip-tied to the power steering pump belt adjuster arm. So here's how I set about mounting mine after a purchased a good 2nd hand coil off ebay with the correct mounting bracket.