RE: Lastest "EUROPEAN CAR" has lame A8 article

[Psycho Bob <honge@creighton.edu>]

>	What got me about the article were things like: any A4 owner would
>recognize the interior, with the exception of Nappa leather and a nice
>aluminium shift gate they are practically the same. This is not a direct
>quote, but this is the "feel" I got from the author's remarks. I think
>the A8 has up'd the ante for the "benchmark" of the luxocars. The author,
>to me, thinks it's a nice technological exercise at best...Again, that's
>just how I read the article.

Well, Audi's execution on the A8 *is* advancing the ante for ALL cars (and
I'd say that even includes the Honda NSX). Sadly, most U.S. consumers
measure "opulance" with NO engine noise, and fasion with gold-plating and
chromed wheels. Simply put, most people who HAVE those kinda money to
spend is also technically inept. The only thing they care is the status
symbol. Of course, the REAL rich people goes for RR and Ferraris for
status symbol...

For me, A8 is a big step forward in automotive design. It has all four
wheels driven (in the right way, unlike MB 4-Matic), and the body
structure design that is finally stepped beyond the old iron uni-body that
went on for decades -- not only saving weight (which is darn important in
cars for milage and things), and also being environmentally responsible
(which was NOT Audi's original aim more than 10 years ago...).

Sadly, U.S. consumers has literally taken the phrase of "beauty is only
skin deep." I bet if we slap a Jag body on a Yugo and give it an alien
planetary name -- and gold-plating (an OPTION) and chrome wheels (another 
OPTION!) -- we'll sell shitload of them.

As for A8 looking like over-grown A4, just stick a C-Klasse owner into an
S-Klasse. I bet he/she will feel DARN familiar -- may be except that
plastic is richer -- and that sort of thing. The review EC gave on the A8
almost 3 years ago is VERY famourable -- in technical standing point-of-
view. For this EC issue, I think they are just looking at the A8 as many
of us in the list is looking at it -- the jee-whiz-i-don't-own-that-kinda-
money-but-if-i-did-would-the-a8-really-uplift-my-poorman-image-with-those-
MB-and-BMW-crowd. The BMW 7 and MB S do not offer any more, but they have
status symbol in which the A8 does not. If you're deciding on the A8 for
"status symbol," then I'd say you're looking at the wrong place because A8
has none (here in the U.S.). Buy the A8 for what it is -- an advancement
in car manufacturing, which perfectly blends well with Audi's corporate
slogan.

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