LightHeavyweight: Second-generation Audi A8 makes the most of aluminum

[NFS4]

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=coverstory&loc_code=index&content_code=02637893

 

[ElFenix]

now thats german-luxo-boat done right, and probably gives the S a real run for its money.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

While I think aluminum is nice and all that, how would the frame be repaired when the guy in the 73 Impala reshapes it in a collision? Serious question, because aluminum does not take kindly to bending. Radical repairs would probably make for radical insurance rates too.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
While I think aluminum is nice and all that, how would the frame be repaired when the guy in the 73 Impala reshapes it in a collision? Serious question, because aluminum does not take kindly to bending. Radical repairs would probably make for radical insurance rates too.

True, that. I am confident Audi will engineer the car to be quite safe, but I imagine it would not take much to total one of these cars.

 

[GTaudiophile]

If I remember correctly, the current, out-going A8 is made of aluminum. It's just a bitch to fix if you get in a wreck; it has to be shipped down to some special body shop in Florida.

Edit: If Audi starts some big trend among all the companies, then maybe it's time to invest in ALCOA!

 

[B00ne]

the writing sounds like the writer rather was a novellist but got stuck at motor magazine

Nice ride, but still heavy ass sh1t dont want to get hit from any of those luxboats... (ok rather them than even heavier SUV

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: B00ne
the writing sounds like the writer rather was a novellist but got stuck at motor magazine

Nice ride, but still heavy ass sh1t dont want to get hit from any of those luxboats... (ok rather them than even heavier SUV

not that heavy... i think my taurus weighs about what that does...

 

[GTaudiophile]

An interesting quote from the article:

The German players that dominate this particular sport have recently been indulging in a degree of post-match shirt swapping among themselves (okay, okay; so that?s not only a European-friendly metaphor, but a European perspective). Do they always get it right? The new CLK and E-Class look a little bit (how to say this?) less substantial than the cars they replace, but Mercedes-Benz has successfully switched its classical, somewhat defensive design strategy for something more entertaining, more athletic. Like BMWs used to be. BMW meanwhile has gone daring on us: ?death or glory.? There is a different look every time, and anything but a predictable, narrow-margin victory over the opposition. That leaves Audi to pick up BMW?s discarded colors.

Edit: Some more PICS of the A8.