July 28, 2009Getting Intimate With the 2007 Audi A8
Despite their willingness and generosity, borrowing my parents’ Audi A8 is always a little harrowing. It’s hard not to feel a little panicked when driving a car that costs about double one’s income (before taxes) and is kept in mint (I mean, mint) condition by one’s dad. Add to the concern about driving the car the difficult driving conditions served up by New York City (potholes, double parked cars, delivery guys on bicycles, double-long buses, and aggressive cab drivers) and the panic is quickly intensified.
That said, it’s hard to remain in an anxious state for too long. Once inside of the vehicle, the A8’s interior cabin quickly envelopes its captain, allaying all (well, most) fears and worries. While the same could probably be said about the interiors of the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes S-Class sedans, the interiors of those cars feel much more corporate to me. The A8 is unusual in that it is really the only oversized luxury sedan that doesn’t scream business. The model I drove is appointed with velvety cognac leather, copious brown suede accents, generous berle wood touches, and carefully place brushed steel.
The car’s tidy instrument cluster is both pretty to gaze at and highly functional. The on-board computer is expertly conceived, with an easily to navigable interface steered by a handy turn/depress knob that is almost foolproof to figure out (this is Audi’s MMI system and it is about the best of the high-end luxury sedan computers). The car’s Bang and Olufsen stereo system is a perfect amalgam of form and function, with neither element getting the shaft in design. Chrome speakers located throughout the cabin contrast exquisitely with (in the case of my parents’ car) cognac leather and the spiffy speakers that emerge from just beneath the car’s windshield are an archiectural wonder. The sound that comes from them isn’t too shabby either. When driving alone, it’s hard to resist cranking the volume up high - what a pleasure to drive in a car whose stereo system can so effortlessly accommodate unreasonably high decibels of sound. The very easy to use steering wheel controls enable my propensity for volume cranking.
Load several friends and their corresponding cargo into the car for a trek to the countryside, and everyone is not only comfortable but has ample room to spread out (the A8 is available in a long wheelbase model which adds 5 inches to an already sizeable interior cabin that, without the extension already offers 37 inches of rear legroom). The words “can you move your seat up just a little bit” are not likely to be uttered unless your friends are 8’0 tall. Further, the trunk space is sufficiently large and can accommodate several suitcases and all of the other junk that four city girls headed for ruralscape might have in tow.
And then there’s the ride. It shouldn’t surprise many readers to read these words: the A8 is a dream to drive. With a ride as smooth as the one offered up by the A8, it is easy to feel like a passenger even when you are a driver. To feel more in tune with the road, the 6-speed Automatic transmission can be effortlessly turned to Tiptronic mode, and, once in Manual, the driver can advance through the gears by tapping wheel-mounted paddle shifters or by toggling the gear stick forward and back. Alternatively, the car performs flawlessly in Sport Mode which is ideal for high speeds and/or curvy roads. The vehicle’s Sport Mode operates about one gear behind traditional Drive, pressing the number of engine revolutions per minute higher and causing the car to hug the road a bit more. Though Sport Mode more readily parches the A8’s engine (thereby depleting the gas tank more rapidly), this is truly the best way to enjoy the car’s 350 horsepower 4.2 Liter V8 powertrain and superior handling (facilitated by adaptive air suspension and the Audi Quattro - four-wheel-drive - system).
I absolutely cannot write a review of the A8 without mentioning the headlights. The 2007 Audi predated the super cool Audi headlamps with the LED perimeter trim that became a phenomenon with the movie Ironman. Nevertheless, I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the A8’s xenon headlights. Not only do they provide superior illumination at night, but the headlights turn as the driver turns the wheel, the ultimate feature on dark country roads. I am also a big fan of the illuminated door panels which make riding at night very pleasant.
Magnificent as it is to drive and ride in, the car is not without it’s shortcomings, but they are pretty numbered. Among them, there are some profound blindspots and checking one’s mirrors is not entirely sufficient for making sure it is safe to change lanes…this, however, is to be expected from a car of the A8L’s size (and, it should be noted, the rearview camera that is automatically activated when the car is put in reverse is very helpful). Further, the 2007 model was issued just before iPod integration had begun to be commonplace. For me, this is a huge setback as there is also no tape deck in the car and, having had little luck with radio-integration iPod devices (they really suck in urban locations), there is really no way to listen to an iPod in the car. This is a bit of a bummer, but is certainly not a dealbreaker.
Finally, the last item on a list of A8 shortcomings is something I consider to be a bit of an asset: the exterior’s understatedness. A casual glance at the A8 and the car could easily be mistaken for an A6 or even an A4. This quality lends a certain humility to the car that I rather like. The A8 is not flashy and it does not immediately reveal its price tag. This feature makes the A8 less of a status symbol and more of a vessel for the ultimate driving experience.
photo via: http://farm3.static.flickr.com (bottom), autos.aol.com (top)
It’s That Time of the Week Again. Time to Create-A-Caption!
TODAY’S PHOTOGRAPH comes to us via http://bitsandpieces1.blogsite.org/
Here’s how it works: Create-A-Caption Tuesday is when I, the URR writer, invite, you, the readers, to hit the comments section with a vengeance and create a caption for an absurd, outrageous, amazing, or just plain sweeeet photograph. A winner will be announced on Friday. And since we all know how much winning rocks, feel free to enter as many captions as your thinking brain can conjure up so that your chances are better. Ah, the glory of triumph - just the thing to brighten a rough Friday in the office (or a tough bout with the books — for all you grad students and Skid kids checking the blog). Let’s playyyy.
July 26, 2009A Walk On the Moon / Celebratory Brigade
Name that car that’s leading the pack? Following the successful return of Apollo 11 in 1969, this parade in NYC was held.
photo via: The Boston Globe
July 25, 2009I Would Do Anything For Love, Including “That”: A New Mercedes 300SL?
photos via: thecoolhunter
REWIND. First the Americans resurrected one-time classics by introducing modernized versions that maintained the integrity of the original muscle (Chevy Camaro, Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang). Now, the Germans are following suit with a revival of the iconic Mercedes 300SL. The new edition will be crafted by Arturo Alonso and his company, Gullwing America. The design team has maintained the essence of the 50s 300SL but the new model will feature many of the modern conveniences that we have come to expect from a luxury vehicle: air conditioning, power windshield wipers, a modern sound system, a Mercedes M-133-55 powerplant, as well as modern suspension and gearbox accommodations.
July 21, 2009Welcome Back for Some Caption Creating
TODAY’S photograph, a wonderful world-wide-web discovery, hails the from the www.lotusespritturbo.com webpage:
Here’s how it works: Create-A-Caption Tuesday is when I, the URR writer, invite, you, the readers, to hit the comments section with a vengeance and create a caption for an absurd, outrageous, amazing, or just plain sweeeet photograph. A winner will be announced on Friday. And since we all know how much winning rocks, feel free to enter as many captions as your thinking brain can conjure up so that your chances are better. Ah, the glory of triumph - just the thing to brighten a rough Friday in the office (or a tough bout with the books — for all you grad students and Skid kids checking the blog). Let’s playyyy.
July 19, 2009Impossibly Cool: Dean Martin Lighting a Ciggy, Leaning Against Car
Look at the hair…ugh, sensational.
JESUS! (to be PRONOUNCED “HEY-SEUSS”): THESE ARE RIDICULOUS
What you are seeing are a pair of Gallardo-inspired stilettos. Just a concept for now, but I expect them on the feet of the Italianae before long…
via dorkerella via Gizmodo
A Great Week for Captions: YOU PICK THE WINNER
This week’s caption photo, the colorful post-it-mobile, earned some of the strongest captions in the history of the URR caption contest. It was difficult to formulate a winner this week, SO we’re going to try something new and put the decision-making to the you, the readers! Take a look over last week’s caption contributions here and let us know which you think is best by dropping a comment to this post…Capisce?
July 15, 2009No WAYYYY!
Yes way! Check out this CHROME Mercedes spotted in London…sickkk:
photo via http://blog.honeyee.com/
special thanks to Aram for the heads-up on this one…
July 14, 2009Create-a-Caption Tuesday is Here Again!
TODAY’S PHOTOGRAPH comes to us via Scott Ableman’s flickr stream:
Here’s how it works: Create-A-Caption Tuesday is when I, the URR writer, invite, you, the readers, to hit the comments section with a vengeance and create a caption for an absurd, outrageous, amazing, or just plain sweeeet photograph. A winner will be announced on Friday. And since we all know how much winning rocks, feel free to enter as many captions as your thinking brain can conjure up so that your chances are better. Ah, the glory of triumph - just the thing to brighten a rough Friday in the office (or a tough bout with the books — for all you grad students and Skid kids checking the blog). Let’s playyyy.
July 10, 2009We Have A Winner!
This week’s caption photo, Satan amongst the bikers, commanded a number of superior captions. Thanks to all who participated. Results are noted below.
3RD: Neurologists believe they have confirmation that biking long distances can lead to moderate to severe hallucinations. (MJM)
A TIE FOR 2ND: On location at Van Halen’s music video remix “Biking with the Devil.” (Anna)
In an effort to revive the oldie by Charlie Daniels, Sony BMG has decided to remake the music video “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”. A misunderstanding in location, however, led the production team to start filming in the middle of the Tour de Georgia route. The first of many bloopers has been posted. (http://www.tourdegeorgia.com/)
1ST: Sean Connery escapes old age home, raids local Halloween shop, and wins Tour De France with no bicycle, shoes, or socks. (Paul)
July 8, 2009From Video Game to Real Life Road
photo via Automoblog:
The Citroen GT Concept was digitally produced for Playstation’s Gran Turismo 5 video game and the concept was so well liked that it is being made into a real car (debuted at the Paris Auto Show). Just six of the supercar are expected to be produced and each will bear a price tag of about $1.8 million. While specs about the powerplant are as of yet unknown, rumor has it that the powerplant may come from Ford or General Motors…go USA!
July 7, 2009It’s Tuesday, How About a Little Caption Competition?
TODAY’S PHOTOGRAPH comes to us via http://absoluticris.com:
Here’s how it works: Create-A-Caption Tuesday is when I, the URR writer, invite, you, the readers, to hit the comments section with a vengeance and create a caption for an absurd, outrageous, amazing, or just plain sweeeet photograph. A winner will be announced on Friday. And since we all know how much winning rocks, feel free to enter as many captions as your thinking brain can conjure up so that your chances are better. Ah, the glory of triumph - just the thing to brighten a rough Friday in the office (or a tough bout with the books — for all you grad students and Skid kids checking the blog). Let’s playyyy.
July 5, 2009Wow: Lazareth 1000 FZR Compressor
I never used to care for motorcycles, but, increasingly, I can’t help but stop and notice a good looking bike on the street. This Lazareth 1000 FZR Compressor is certainly a head-turner.
PHOTO and TEXT below via: http://www.bikeexif.com/
Frenchman Ludovic Lazareth has a factory in Annecy-le-Vieux, near the Swiss border, and turns out an extraordinary variety of vehicles. These include cars as well as motorcycles, and eye-popping quad bikes and snowmobiles. Lazareth’s extreme style makes him popular with action movie-makers, and his bikes have featured in blockbusters such as Babylon A.D. The 1000 FZR Compressor is based on Yamaha’s FZR1000—the ‘Bike of the Decade’ from 1989, and one of the iconic Japanese superbikes of the early 90s. Apart from the the extensive chassis modifications and radical new styling, Lazareth bolts a supercharger from a Mini Cooper S on to the 4-cylinder engine. If you’re in the market, this machine will set you back a cool €40,000 ($56,000). And even if you’re not ready to buy, the Lazareth website is well worth a visit.
