4.2 TDI quattro Sport 4dr Auto Saloon

Mostly improved over old model, some quibbles

I only test drove this, don't own one (yet). I've owned 3 previous generation A8s.

Good points: - road noise (my pet hate) is reduced again, now genuinely as quiet as I could wish for, ride is noticeably better resolved, engine noise very subdued (slightly too quiet maybe: love the sound of this V8 diesel when wound up), interior quality even better than before, unending wave of torque from the 800nm diesel engine is addictive, though far more than needed in UK - 3.0tdi will be plenty in this generation, whereas it was maybe not quite meaty enough in previous generation.

Bad points: - steering still feels very artificial though this is only a problem on tightening B-road bends, I didn't like the new gear selector, which doesn't have different physical positions for P/R/N/D/S AND HAS NO MANUAL GEAR SELECTION- you have to use steering wheel paddles for this, some common tasks are still way too fiddly, e.g. jumping to next album on an MP3-filled CD, the car is too long for the usable space on offer - no idea why it has to be even longer than the old car, satnav and MMI controls still a bit fiddly - should have gone touchscreen, BOSE stereo system is the usual boom and tizz r****** and B&O option is just a silly price.

Only real "new" gripe is about the gear selector, which I'm sure you'd get used to in a week or so.

Will be waiting for Audi to offer sensible contract hire figures for the 3.0tdi - hoping for circa £599 pcm, old model could be had as low as £500-ish pcm at run-out.

Fuel economy rating reflects fact that 35-40 mpg is impressive from a 2 ton 4wd automatic car that does 0-60 in about 5.3 seconds.

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