Cimbioz elephant and hedgehog

In Russia we do not like compacts. And so to go on a big expensive car with the engine and does malokubaturnym consider a sign of bad manners or lack of money. Therefore, the first news that the Audi A8, after a modest restyling will receive a new 2.8-liter engine capacity, were received with skepticism. Like, who needs it, this symbiosis of an elephant and a hedgehog? Yeah, of course, our oligarchs. But the Europeans have traditionally been obsessed reduction in fuel consumption and emissions to air, waiting for this premiere look. The presentation was restyled "Eight", held recently in Munich, the emergence of a new, very "junior" engine range was given perhaps the greatest attention. And "suck" in the first place is not the specific power, taken from each liter, and the maximum speed that can provide the power plant, and those of 199 g / km of CO2, which allowed to call the A8 2.8 a leader on this indicator in the classroom. Both are 8.3 liters of gasoline, which will last for 100 km in combined cycle. For Europeans, it is important. We also have other priorities. Apparently, knowing vague prospects in Russia A8 2.8, Audi decided not to provide such modifications to our market. But, anyway, a couple of years they will have - at least through the efforts of the "gray" dealers. So let me elaborate on the "shopping bag" with this engine. As you might guess, closely following the development of VW-Audi, the new engine has direct injection FSI. But there is another innovation - a system change moves the valves. On each valve now accounts for two cams on the camshafts. Depending on the load Electronics chooses the best option valve lift (from the two possible), moving the clutch cam on the camshaft. Power 2.8-liter engine - 210 hp, maximum torque - 280 Nm. So whether it's for a lot of luxury car? It is enough if we consider that the A8 through the extensive use of aluminum components in the body structure weighs only 1690 kg. Of course, if you transfer to a 2.8-liter version with a 3.2 - or 3.7-liter, discomfort is palpable. But in general, the engine very well. Objective data, provides overclocking up to "hundreds" for 8 seconds, the subjective - the dynamics of car-class golf with a good 1.6 liter engine. A separate credit goes to the 7-speed automatic gearbox Variable speed type. That's really really lovely - works very quickly and always understand what they want from it. Manual mode is no need to use - except when overtaking tuck "reduced", as in the upper rpm range (3,500 to 5,000 rev / min), 2.8-liter engine more traction. With regard to behavior on the road - despite the fact that the designers spent Audi refinement of suspension and steering, little change is not noticeable. All the same confident cornering, and a steady adherence to the desired path. Brakes again unworthy of criticism. They can, and not as tenacious as it should be an active driver, but very informative: with dosing of effort on the pedals do not have problems even at the "teapot". Design of "eight" has not undergone major changes. Body parts were the same, others have just the radiator grille, fog lights and outside mirrors, and even then would only be able to find differences between the experienced eye. In the rear lights are now "settled" LEDs under a smooth transparent cover. The interior updates is even less - only expanded the range of re-styling and finishing materials. For example, the laths can now be made of walnut (light brown opaque) and vavanskogo tree (gray). From the comfort of the Audi has always been all right. True, the choice of a comfortable position in the driver's seat is akin to choosing a good sausage in the supermarket - the more species, more difficult to define. And to the chair: the set of adjustments makes finding ideal configuration to give a lot of time. A luxurious back seat makes one forget about the perennial problem of small sedans - the lack of legroom. In the luxury car even throw a leg over the other can be easily and naturally. Available host the sofa - as a minimum climate control unit and the handset. There are also more advanced options for equipment - for example, under the center armrest can be provided for multi-function device that can provide not only telephony or Internet connection, the transfer of documents by fax or scan. It is worth mentioning the other electronic systems, "eight". No, not the ABS or ESP - to such aides have become accustomed, even the owners of budget cars. A8 boasts, for example, the hazard warning systems, when you rebuild and monitoring of strip movement. The first is organized as follows: in the rear bumper has two radars, which the monitored space behind the side-car at a distance of 50 m. When approaching another vehicle in case the relevant mirror illuminated LED indicator light. If the driver A8, in spite of these signals, includes turn signal, the LEDs start blinking, and so vividly that they do not notice it is simply impossible. Interestingly, the light is only visible to the driver's seat - at least, my colleague in the front passenger seat, who decided to take pictures of burning LEDs, had perhaps cling to the windshield. Another system has already received some distribution, controls the lane. When you try to rebuild without the inclusion of turn signals the driver will feel the vibration on the steering wheel. In principle, the system is designed to "wake up" dozing or distracted from the road the driver, but in practice a very disciplined and in normal situations. True, you may get tired quickly. In that case, provided her trip through the MMI, you can also choose from three levels of intensity of vibration. So, last restyling A8 - an event rather forced. It's been more than two years after the 2005 facelift. It seems that it is time to bring something new, but the better good - not easy. In principle, could be "sly" to add the new 2.8-liter engine in an already impressive range, as it became the main "highlight of the program." But why, having made a few visual touches, not to say the update and do not stir up interest in yet again to "eight"? What's new A8: - motor 2,8 FSI - updated grille, fog lights, outside mirrors, alloy wheels, rear lights - several new options to trim the possibility of complete new package of exterior and interior lighting