2012 Audi A8

This time around, the A8 has proportions that are more like those of a traditional rear-wheel-drive sport sedan--a little more long-hooded and broad-shouldered--and while we like how it looks from the side or from the back, the proportions don't pop in quite the same way from the front. Audi's eggcrate grille and front airdam, which used to look brash and different now feels more ordinary. But a major benefit from the redesign appears to be aerodynamics; the A8 is now in the same range as the Toyota Prius for drag, with a coefficient of just 0.26.

Inside, the Audi A8 is one of the most stylish luxury-vehicle interiors we've tested or seen, ever. With plush materials, and the impression that not a detail has been missed if it pertains to styling, it impresses from first glance or even after you've scrutinized the details. The instrument panel is trimmed with finishes that you don't typically see in other luxury vehicles, with a hazy, glossy-matte metallic surface that's used throughout in accents and in the dash's center beltline. And the instrument panel angles gracefully into the wide center console, reserving audio and climate controls for a section that's nicely angled up toward the driver. The rich wood and leather and complemented by aluminum and plastic trim, rich color schemes, and a sueded headliner.

On closer look, it's some of the details that really enforce the wow factor. Audi has modeled the throttle lever after those in yachts and powerboats (though it's a bit like a golf putter), while on startup, two tweeters rise almost silently from the dash.

And the quattro all-wheel drive system makes the A8 feel more surefooted in the corners and not at all cumbersome. In regular driving, it sends about 60 percent of power to the rear wheels, while up to 60 percent can be sent to the front wheels when needed. For enthusiasts, there's also an available sport differential system that brings an active torque split from left to right as well.

One of the keys to the A8's light, surefooted feel is Audi Drive Select, a series of electronic vehicle controls for powertrain, steering, and suspension feel; with it, you get Dynamic, Comfort, Auto, or Individual modes. Overall, it's an excellent setup that brings out the best in this big sedan, whether you're in tight switchbacks or cruising on the highway. The only letdown is that the steering feel (or lack thereof) leaves enthusiasts much to be desired--even though it has a little too much heft dialed into Dynamic mode.

And thanks to the suspension, there's nearly no lift under hard acceleration or nosedive under hard braking—adding to the sophisticated, uber-composed yet athletic feel of the A8.

For 2012, the A8 and A8 L have now been joined by an A8 L W12 model. With a much higher price ($133,500), the much more exclusive W12 packs a 6.3-liter, twelve-cylinder engine, making 500 hp and capable of getting to 60 mph in less than five seconds. It also comes with an eight-speed automatic.

Front seats are ample and supportive, combining cushiony softness at first with an underlying firmness that should make them all-day comfortable. They have great mid-back support, combined with headrests that are supportive without forcing your neck forward. In back, while the standard backseat setup has long cushions good for lankier passengers, there's simply not enough legroom back there in the normal-length A8; so do get the A8 L unless you're tight on parking space.

The A8's cabin is a very quiet, refined place, and while you won't hear much wind or road noise, you will hear the engine somewhat during acceleration. The air suspension system also recalibrates itself to Comfort, Dynamic or Auto modes, though it rides reasonably well in all three with not a lot of discernible difference on most roads (though we did notice a slight bit more road noise in Dynamic than the others on one particularly coarse Interstate stretch).

The 2012 Audi A8 comes with the latest version of Audi's MMI system, which is completely redesigned versus the previous generation. Once again, you get a rotating controller to scroll through menus, but the special new feature is MMI Touch--a scratchpad that makes address or info entry much easier by simply scratching out individual letters. Steering-wheel controls also let you see an abbreviated list of options, and a new Google Maps–based navigation system uses its own data connection to get live-updated mapping and routing information. The eight-inch display is beautiful and easy to read from a wide range of angles. For 2012, that system and an integrated wi-fi hotspot have been made standard.

Serious audiophiles will want to go for the top Bang & Olufsen Advanced sound system, which has 19 speakers, including small tweeters at the front of the cabin that emerge at startup, along with more than 1400 watts of power.

Available as part of a safety-minded driver assistance package ($3,000) is adaptive cruise control, which will now bring you to a complete stop and restart automatically, plus lane assist and side assist. Also available is a night vision system that will help spot and identify pedestrians.Also on offer in back is a rear-seat entertainment system with its own 20-gig hard drive and two 10.2-inch screens, or—for the classic executive car need—a folding table.

Another new option for 2012 is a special 'Audi design selection' interior package, offered in Balao Brown.

We still haven't driven the W12, but grom what we—as well as other auto critics—have seen, the A8 returns impressive gas-mileage numbers in real-world driving; with a lot of stop and go, we still managed an 18 mpg average.