Fashionably 8

On November 30 the world's community of automotive journalists descended on Miami's Hotel Fontainebleau for the unveiling of the redesigned Audi A8. Just down the beach from the Hotel's luxuriant art deco façade and grounds, Audi had erected a pristine auditorium and gallery space intended to embody the brand's distinct design philosophy.

Defying stereotypes, the immense crowd of journalists was largely well-behaved and well-groomed, perhaps in deference to the evening's celebrity emcee Lucy Liu. Liu, whose stage presence was professional if a tad stiff, was one of several celebrities in attendance, sharing that rare Hollywood glow with Law & Order's Chris Noth, the actress Christina Ricci and many others. Yet despite the celebrity atmosphere, the A8 was the evening's true ingénue.

After a roundtable discussion on the subject of design, a frenetic light show and a bit of fairly bombastic music, the curtain was lifted and the much-anticipated A8 was driven onto the stage. The redesigned car exudes confidence with its sleek lines and almost crouched posture. The new LED headlight arrays boast greater energy efficiency, while offering cutting-edge optics, and their uniquely shaped headlights evoke the image of a slightly furrowed brow; as if the car is calculating its next move.

The interior is sophisticated and is available in several variations of material and colour palette, all of which manage to have enough individual personality that potential buyers will likely have their own favourites.

The pop-up navigation screen has a certain James Bond appeal, and may prove favourable to those who, like this writer, spend altogether too much time in front of a screen. Additionally, the Bang & Olufsen audio system boasts futuristic tweeters, which rise from above the dashboard of the car to offer better directionality in the system's treble response.

The new A8 represents a five year collaboration in which the perpetual tug of war between engineering and design, a creative tension that is characteristic of the automotive industry, has resulted in a car that sets the stage for the continued development of the Audi brand, while retaining elements of the brand's historic offerings.

The car features a slew of new technologies, from its visibility assist functionality, touchpad enabled entertainment system, and improved fuel efficiency, to its unique Audi Space Frame — an aluminium design that weighs about 40 per cent less than an equivalent steel structure.

The new A8 will initially be available with three enhanced petrol FSI and diesel engines. Audi claims power, torque and economy are up 22 per cent, while emissions are down.

This will also be the first Audi to feature the company's new eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and latest generation quattro all-wheel drive with asymmetric torque distribution.

With its litany of updated features, specifications and aesthetics, the new A8 represents a compelling entry into the luxury saloon market that warrants further investigation.

At present, only the dedicated souls at Audi have had the opportunity to drive the car, but we look forward to getting a shot behind the wheel early next year. Sitting in the driver's seat of the A8, one has the sense that this is a car worth getting to know better.

22pc

Power, torque and fuel efficiency are up in the reworked FSI and TDI lumps