The A8 doesn't have an auto pilot*

Simple things such as changing a radio station or adjusting the aircon sometimes require a 10-minute stop beside the road while Her Majesty rolls back her eyes and mutters rude things about men in general and her husband's knowledge of motor cars in particular.

The new Audi A8 will probably appeal more to the more conservative connoisseur.

Why do manufacturers do that? I'm sure jet fighters are less complicated than some modern cars, particularly the really fancy and seriously expensive brag barges in the R1-million-plus bracket (of which, by the way, there are more than 70 choices on the market in South Africa!).

Anybody who forks out more than a million bucks for a motor car naturally expects a driving experience akin to royalty, something really special and brimming with non-negotiables such as cocooned luxury, superior performance, head-turning status and the sort of dignified presence that turns friends and neighbours green with envy.

Quality worth a million

But probably most of all, for that sort of money one would demand a car that behaves impeccably and which is a complete pleasure to drive without anything to spoil the journey or make the driver feel like a spotty teenager on a first driving lesson.

And this is precisely what Audi has achieved with its impressive new A8 lux-limo or, to give its full pedigree, the Audi A8 4.2 FSI Quattro Tiptronic, the one with a price tag of R1,096 million which has just been launched in South Africa.

A great deal comes with the price tag.

It does everything one would expect of it - and a great deal more - but it goes about its business in a quiet, logical, unassuming way which makes the driver's life a real pleasure. And that's what instantly sets it apart from the rest of the grand saloon contenders.

I drove a fast and quite demanding route, including crossing a couple of mountain passes, in the swanky big Audi when it was unveiled to the local motoring media and not once did I have to think twice about how to adjust the car's settings, tone down the aircon, find a radio station or moving gear change options from auto to manual.

And because of this I could focus all my attention on the pleasure of driving the car which, although it is the biggest, widest, highest model in the Audi range, handles with aplomb and goes like a bomb.

Flip your flappies for fun

The A8's eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, which comes complete with sporty steering paddle shifts, is sheer pleasure to play with. Whether left to do its own thing or flicking through the flappies on the steering column, the shift remains slick and quick.

The same 4.2 FSI petrol V8 that Audi lovers have come to know and love seems all that more willing.

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Particularly sporty is the way it will even change down more than one gear if necessary when extra punch is required when you stomp down the accelerator.

Another major contributor to the driving fun is the car's grip levels which are quite outstanding, considering its size and weight. Particular praise for this must go to Audi's much respected, highly intelligent Quattro all-wheel drive that is capable of transferring up to 80% of the drive power to the rear wheels or up to 60% to the front depending on grip levels at the four corners.

Audis are renowned for their driveability and although this luxury saloon doesn't pretend to be a sporty, performance car, it certainly has enough energy and enthusiasm to please any driver running late for an appointment.

The cabin oozes class and craftsmanship.

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The steering is as good as it probably can get on a luxury sedan and weightier (and much preferred by me) than that of key competitors the S Class Merc and the 7 Series BMW. The reason it feels heavier is because of the Audi's all-wheel drive set-up which is a huge plus for the Vorsprung durch Technik badge.

An interesting feature of the A8 is the option it gives to the driver of changing the car's characteristics between comfort, auto, and dynamic modes via a user-friendly "Vehicle Settings" menu. One can even create an "individual" mode (within limits) by choosing various setting mixes.

The brakes are particularly impressive and scrubbing off speed is panic-free, even and without vicious biting. So, many good Brownie points so far for the new A8.

Verily... the V8 is v-v-very-y-y nice

However, I've run out of gold stars before even getting to the heart and soul of the A8 - the supremely sophisticated chunk of muscular V8 steel under the bonnet. Just like the highest honour a brilliant wine can achieve at the annual Veritas wine competition, this part of the Audi's anatomy also deserves a Double Gold.

Picture-perfect panel.

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Yes, it is the same 4.2 FSI petrol V8 that Audi lovers have come to know and love but its 273kW and 445Nm somehow just seems all that more willing under the elegant hood of the A8.

It certainly feels more enthusiastic than Audi's claims of 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds and a reined-in top speed of 250km/h.

Official figures supplied by car manufacturers usually have to be taken with a pinch of salt (most of the claims are based on tests conducted in near perfect conditions) but Audi says the new A8 will only sip 9.5 litres per 100 km and cough out 219g/km of C02 if driven sensibly.

Compared to the previous model this makes the 2010 version 16% more powerful and, to the delight of all tree-huggers, about 13% more environmentally friendly.

Even the writer can change the station easily on this.

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There is a warm familiarity about driving an Audi, any Audi, because they all feel more or less the same and they look the same, both inside and out. And the A8 is true to the mould.

The A8's living quarters, as to be expected from a car in this price bracket, is exceptionally luxurious, and the dials, knobs, gauges are all very familiar.

Now 'C' this!

However, one of the many new features on the latest model (and again we come down to clever, easy-to-use appeal) is a touchpad that will be instantly recognisable by all owners of laptop computers.

To operate it is as simple as touching the screen and scrolling a 'C' with your finger - and up pops climate control and the clever multimedia interface (which controls just about all infotainment functions) will take you there instantly.

The touchpad is one of many new features on the latest model.

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Another quick and easy operation is aircon adjustments which four occupants of the car can individually adjust according to their own needs, simply with the twirl of a dial.

Adjustable electronic seats on flagship cars are par for the course. Most of them have inbuilt memory settings, some have heating, some have vibrating options, all can be moved up down, forward and backwards, but it usually takes a while (and more than a little frustration) to get the hang of the knobs and memories and settings.

Not so in the A8, for although it offers a long list of setting options they are quick and easy to find and execute. Another 10 out of 10 for functionality!

'To the hotel, James... and don't spare the horses'

The cabin is sublimely elegantly furnished and it oozes class and craftsmanship. Metres of plush leather, plenty of shiny metal decorations (smart, not bling!) all well-toned in a very dignified, almost understated manner.

The seats are as comfortable as flying First Class with BA as I discovered when I settled into the back seat of the smart black chauffeur-driven Audi A8 sent to collect me on arrival at George Airport for my overnight stay at the plush new Hyatt Golf Estate and Spa at Oubaai.

The A8 is certainly longer and wider than some of its main competitors and although it sells in lesser volumes than the Merc and BMW flagships it is right up there with the best of this bunch for many reasons, including price, its more subdued presence, its classy special features and the logical, easy way the various settings can be applied.

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It is no secret that in this price and status bracket, Mercedes and BMW are way ahead of Audi in local sales, but Audi says it will be happy with 77 sales this year and 114 in 2011 (when new additions, including a diesel option) are likely to join the newly launched one model A8 option.

Picking a winner in this grand saloon class is not easy, with the elegant likes of the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide, the Jaguar XF (and the shortly expected XJ), the Lexus L460, Merc S-Class and BMW 7 Series all holding out their hands for executive Platinum cards.

Take a drive on the styled side

The new Audi A8 is grand and will undoubtedly appeal to a more conservative (read older, less tech-savvy and perhaps shrewder) market for its non-flashy elegance and because there will always be people who understand and appreciate the value of simplicity, the difference between fashion and style and how to cut and polish a diamond to bring out its best qualities without blinding you with its radiance.

Footnote: To describe all the A8's attributes in full detail will take up much too much of your time and my space and it might also deprive you of the pleasure of nipping down to your nearest Audi dealer and taking the car for a spin so that you can make up your own mind, but for more information visit the Audi A8 gallery or browse through the technical specifications below.

*But it's got just about everything else you would want - and more.

Specifications

iMotor test drive review

Top gear Audi a8 from London to Edinburgh challenge pt 1