jamie@vwvortex
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 VWvortex: First Drive - Audi A8L | « » 10:05 PM 11-19-2003 | |
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 Recently, Audi of America chose Louisville, Kentucky and the running of the world-reknowned Kentucky Derby as a backdrop for many amongst the automotive media to take their first try behind the wheel of its all-new A8L sedan. One can easily draw the parallel between the heavy emphasis on breeding that permeates throughout horse-racing community and also that of the biggest and most luxurious vehicle to roll out of Ingolstadt with the four-ringed crest adorned to the front. Full Story...
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Chris W
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| Re: VWvortex: First Drive - Audi A8L (vwvortex1) | « » 11:01 PM 11-19-2003 | |
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Thats a good point about audi expanding the line so slowly. I read somewhere that they will use a HUGE V-10 for the rs8 instead of a TT W-12. That would be sweet
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ASurroca
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| Re: VWvortex: First Drive - Audi A8L (Chris W) | « » 12:56 AM 11-20-2003 | |
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Never is it more apparent that Volkswagen is going to be VAG's luxury brand and Audi its sporting brand than when you look at the Volkswagen Phaeton and the Audi A8. The A8 has Audi's Space Frame design, is fairly lightweight and lithe (for a huge sedan anyway), has a driver-centric cluster of gages and dials organized for easy access when driving, and has a lavish but sportive feel (and look) to it. The Phaeton, though the A8's sibling, seems to share only the menacing glare of the headlights and proportions with the A8. Instead of the A8's modern-looking 19" rims and metallic paint, the Phaeton comes with clean, simple rims and a much more refined, upscale paint job. Inside, there is less emphasis on technical wizardry (note the traditional navi screen in lieu of the A8's much-ballyhooed MMI system), and more emphasis on good old-fashioned pampering (the orchestration that goes on in order to keep the windows from getting fogged, and the interior climate just right, the thick glass and automatic sunshades to keep the weather from bothering you, the large seats that must've been sourced straight from Bentley).Though I've sat in both cars, I've driven neither (but hope to test-drive both in the future). But, although I'm a tech-geek, when I'm in sitting behind the wheel, I really don't care about technical gadgetry unless it makes my time behind the wheel more pleasant. I can reach out to touch "NAVI" for the navigation just as easily as I can twiddle the MMI control knob. No problem. So, without having driven either car, I must say that I'm a fan of the Phaeton. And as you might expect, I dislike the 7-Series, but love the new XJ. Consider me old-fashioned, but I just want to sit in a comfy temperature-and-humidity-controlled, fine-wood-and-plush-leather-trimmed atmosphere and cruise around in style. I don't care about power/weight ratios or DVD-this, or 0-60 in how many seconds, or getting noticed. When the time comes to buy a sedan, I'm thinking of going with a B6 Passat, or an Audi A4, but after I've graduated from business school and have been working as a suit long enough to have to upgrade to the obligatory executive sedan (or if I win the Lotto, next week  ) I'll be sitting in the Phaeton faster than you can pronounce it.  
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vwtuning
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| | « » 1:10 AM 11-20-2003 | |
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Absolutely sick car, love the MMI implementaion and adjustable air ride.
Pete - '99 Golf 2.0T"I think it's important to remember that character in a car is more important than the specs." - LBS
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Der Kommissar
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| Re: VWvortex: First Drive - Audi A8L (vwvortex1) | « » 9:19 AM 11-20-2003 | |
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This car is a thousand times nicer looking than the S-Class (dated), the 7-series (hideous) and any other luxury car in it's segment. Beautiful. I hope Audi steals all of stupid Mercedes and BMW's customers.
liliillililiillililil
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pharph
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| Re: VWvortex: First Drive - Audi A8L (vwvortex1) | « » 9:32 AM 11-20-2003 | |
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You know, it's funny. I can actually see this exact location from my office window! In fact, that's my building across the street in the center of the photo. And yet I had no idea this car was even in town, much less having a photo shoot outside my window. Perhaps I was spending too much time looking through the Vortex to be bothered with what's going on outside.  Great looking car though.
Modified by pharph at 9:33 AM 11-20-2003
CURRENT CAR: 2000 GTI 1.8T - Futura Yellow
PAST CARS: 2002 Passat 1.8T, 1999 Golf 2.0L, 1996 Golf Harlequin, 1981 Rabbit Diesel
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canaan1981
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| Re: VWvortex: First Drive - Audi A8L (pharph) | « » 10:29 AM 11-20-2003 | |
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UHHH....the derby is in may, why did this take 6 months to write?
Ye Olde PubeHandsome Man Weekly
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breathe
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| Re: VWvortex: First Drive - Audi A8L (vwvortex1) | « » 1:28 PM 11-20-2003 | |
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Clearly, as George points out, the big story (especially around here!) will be how the big Audi will fare against the big VW. Call me nuts, but I believe there is room for both to play in the VW corporate sandbox. The A8 appears to appeal to seasoned $80k+ luxury car buyers with its air of understated excellence, with all the history and heritage of an Audi. It would be a tough act to get this customer to step away from that age old lure of the big three German brands.Alternatively, the Phaeton appears to appeal to that first time luxury car buyer who hasn't yet been "bred into" the brand triangle; someone who almost seeks out the understatement of the VW badge, yet still wants all the benefits of a luxury sedan, minus its older sibling's Big Dog pedigree. Should I someday be fortunate enough to cash in on that hot stock tip or buy that lucky lottery ticket, I'd probably swing towards the Phaeton. But for that long time luxury car owner, the choice is clear -- advantage: Audi.
Modified by Bill at 1:36 PM 11-20-2003
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George@VWvortex
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| Re: VWvortex: First Drive - Audi A8L (canaan1981) | « » 4:26 PM 11-20-2003 | |
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| Quote, originally posted by canaan1981 » | | UHHH....the derby is in may, why did this take 6 months to write? |
Fair enough. This article was meant to run in a June/July timeframe, but we opted to hold it until the new site was ready to roll. Sorry for the delay.
-G
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DGMVW
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| Re: VWvortex: First Drive - Audi A8L (canaan1981) | « » 6:26 PM 11-20-2003 | |
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| Quote, originally posted by canaan1981 » | | UHHH....the derby is in may, why did this take 6 months to write? |
That's exactly what I was thinking... Why is change so hard? I still love the old S8.
DubR
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