The 2001 AUDI A8L- When it comes to luxury, the Germans have it down pretty well. Audi is no exception. With its, now going on 5 years, attack on the luxury segment with beautiful designs and innovative concepts, Audi has established itself as a real force in the sport/luxury market. The new high-end A8 confronts S-Class and 7-series head-on, with no doubt that it can appeal to buyers looking for a sport-smooth ride and lots of legroom all around. Audi designers stretched the aluminum space frame 5.1 inches for the comfort-oriented L model, increasing rear legroom by almost 3 inches and achieving nominal gains in head and shoulder space. With an increase in length comes an increase in weight, and to counteract that engineers achieved a notable 10-percent reduction in unsprung mass. Through extensive use of an aluminum frame, the space-framed A8L still tips the scales at slightly more than the Mercedes-Benz S430 and only 32 pounds lighter than the BMW 740iL .

Audi expects the L to account for 70 percent of A8 sales in the states, convinced the increased features and interior space will draw in customers, without a compromise in performance.

An 88 pound gain over the standard A8 also comes from an increase in features, which includes such standard goodies as power rear window sunshade, manual side shades, heated front and rear seats, GPS navigation system, exclusive "comfort" seats, and electronic stability control. Audi updates the 2001 A8 with improved audio controls, more user-friendly color information display, additional soft-tone interior lighting, and supple Valcona leather. Airbags galore - with front, side, rear side, and large Sideguard curtains. The aforementioned goodies equal a well-equipped automobile that is as comfortable in back as it is up front. Rear passengers are graced with electric headrests and lumbar adjustments, while the numerous aft-chamber air vents make for excellent personal comfort zones. This isn't a limousine, but full-size adults on long trips shouldn't have much to complain about.

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A considerably more sophisticated 4.2-liter/310-horsepower DOHC V-8 utilizes five valves per cylinder, combined with long-stroke architectures, provides ample torque in a compact package (302 pound-feet at 3000 rpm), while reducing weight by 25 pounds over last year's engine. Audi boasts a 0-60-mph time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed, which is electronically limited, of 130 mph.

With the only complaint of the A8 being a lack in room for taller passengers, When it comes to luxury, the Germans have it down pretty well. Audi is no exception. With its, now going on 5 years, attack on the luxury segment with beautiful designs and innovative concepts, Audi has established itself as a real force in the sport/luxury market. The new high-end A8 confronts S-Class and 7-series head-on, with no doubt that it can appeal to buyers looking for a sport-smooth ride and lots of legroom all around.

Some inside news from Audi: Audi expects the L to account for 70 percent of A8 sales in the states, convinced the increased features and interior space will draw in customers, without a compromise in performance. Value-minded buyers will appreciate a base price a couple grand cheaper then '99 models, starting at $62,000, with the top A8L hovering just below the $70,000 mark. This all-wheel-drive Teutonic touring sedan has always pleased the masses, and those extra couple inches can only appeal to more buyers, further staking Audi's position as a real competitor in the SUV-fighting segment of luxury automobiles AZ/AutoNetDirect.com

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