A beam of light

At the airport in Barcelona at the top floor of the multi-storey car park lined rank new "eights." If I do not know for sure that this is the new Audi A8, by God, would have passed. After a welcome from the front Audi A8 new generation like A6, and in profile looks like. Is the original here - only the rear lights? However, the most conservative looking black cars. But the silver sedans look completely different! "Exercise" podshtampovki on the sides and on the hood, new headlights are visible ... but even light Audi A8 remains true to the traditions .- Yes, it preserves. Like most of our customers - confidently ascertain the representatives of Audi. - Owners of a model A8 - it is usually successful people 40-50 years who were followers of the Audi brand for decades. It is not surprising that they are against revolutionary changes in design! But Salon has made surprisingly fresh impression. Of all Audi vehicles we've seen something similar except that the new A4 cabriolet - the difference being that the interior of the new "eight" more solid and refined. True, the "eccentric" chetyrehspitsevy steering wheel with its design reminded ... Editorial Chrysler PT Cruiser. Or a new Cherokee. Ideas are in the air? The combination of instruments, in contrast to the Audi A6, no "extra" scale - not a voltmeter, no temperature gauge oil. But at the center had a large information display. Another screen, bigger, creeps out from the bowels of the center console. A control "picture" it is possible with the help of Multi Media Interface (MMI). In fact, this is an "adequate response» Audi on the new iDrive "Seven" BMW.Nebolshaya Handle MMI system is located on the center console, right at your fingertips. The interface is made logical, beautiful pictures on the screen. It is true that a few times, I still "got lost", but to understand all quickly and without prompting. It seems to me that the menu of any electronic device should be written that way - that people with an average IQ (intellectual level) was able to learn it without instruction. Can not you understand - then, I'm sorry you do not, but someone who was engaged in drawing up the program! I think that the MMI in this sense, easier to use than iDrive. And management is easier, and more interesting graphics, and features hardly less. You can control the suspension settings, program the job of interior lighting interior or door locks ... Moreover, secondary functions - such as e-mail services or a TV set - can only be used on the car is stationary. True, much of it is not included in the list of basic equipment. Want to "bloat" - pay money! Fingerprinting, which replaces the ignition key - until really fantastic: apparently, fingerprint recognition system for mass production yet not ready - at least, to test machines it was not. But it will be! Of course, for a fee. The main thing is to have the hijackers in the future, haydzhekerov habits did not raise his index finger cut off the owners ... Lever "parking brake" is not - the parking brake is controlled with an electric button on the center console. In the rear panel provides a separate climate control (for a fee). But to adjust the rear seats in the new "eight" is impossible - they are the most conventional, fixed. Meanwhile, in a Mercedes S-Class is adjustable, and the "seven» BMW simply does not count! Yes and cramped back - of course, for a car of this class. However, for those who like comfort long wheelbase version has dedicated Long, which appears in the following year. In addition, all press releases that tell about the new "eight", full of the word "sport". Allusion to the fact that, for those who ride behind, is Volkswagen Phaeton? And Audi A8 - it supposedly, driver's car, car driver! That idea marketing concern VW. And that, really? Engines are good. Both. Yes, while for the new "eight" produced only two power units - this is the updated engines and V6 3.7 V8 4.2, packaged with the new six-speed "automatic". They's the problem. In the Drive box could iterate through the transmission and poshustree, especially when passing on two levels "down." In the Sport «machines" work better - after resetting the gas remains at low transmission, which eliminates the unnecessary switching. But all the time to go into sport mode, I would not - will have to refuel twice as often! Manageability? If the transfer to the Audi A8 in any minivan, maybe she really seems sporting. But in fact, air suspension tuned for comfort above all. Even in automatic mode, it works fine with all the irregularities. Plot pavers in Barcelona "eight" did not even notice - it passed smoothly and quietly. A control ... No, on average speeds are good - and reactions are accurate, and informative enough on the handlebars. But it is necessary to accelerate to 180 km / h, and begins a gentle turn to tickle your nerves, especially if the left - the bump and the right - the truck. There are not enough "sense of the car." And when the Audi A8 4.2 I'm using the menu system MMI translated into suspension mode Dynamic (on Audi A8 3.7 this is not provided), then not much has changed. Yes, on the trajectory of the car is better, but still not idealno.V town I do not always suit the visibility. Scurrying between machines mopeds often forced to look in the mirror - not, God forbid, catch someone. A mirror is too small,! Apparently, for the sake of aerodinamike.Zato "rotary" lights - really easy stuff. In fact, they are not rotated. Just a block head light has a pair of searchlights aimed sideways - they start to work when you turn the steering wheel at a certain angle or when the turn signals. True, they can be tested only in the underground garage, which on this occasion were cut down all the lights. That will be interesting to ride on the new "eight" in Moscow suburbs the night! This would have to wait a couple of months. Prices are not yet known, but in Germany the "Base» Audi A8 3.7 will be worth 66 400 euros, and Audi A8 4.2 - 72 500 euros. The next year there will be a turbodiesel Audi A8 V8 and a top-six-liter engine version with W12. And about the "eight" station wagon, like the acclaimed concept car Avantissimo, people from Ingolstadt until the thrill of the new molchat.Pervye "eight" dual. On the one hand, I liked the interior and the new "multimedia" technology. Yes, and look good, although traditional. On the other hand, claim to sportiness while nothing but engine power is not backed up. A four-wheel drive transmission in this class now offers not only the Audi A8 and Volkswagen Phaeton, and the Mercedes S-Class