Anyone familiar with stage rally will know Audi has a rich history in the sport. The company made a name for itself in the mid-1980s, utilizing its “Quattro” all-wheel drive system to dominate the now-iconic Group B era. Audi still uses the Quattro brand to this day for its all-wheel-drive system. And it’s a modern version of this system that allows even its biggest sedan to feel right at home at a rally stage.
The A8L isn’t exactly built for rally competition, but it manages to hold its own on a makeshift stage during a winter test put on at the Team O’Neil Rally School in New Hampshire. Despite its massive curb weight, nose-heavy weight balance, and long wheelbase, it remains composed through tight turns and high-speed bends alike.
Host Wyatt Knox knew from the jump the A8L wouldn’t set a blistering time on Team O’Neil’s timed course, though considering it’s a massive land yacht, we’re still impressed with the results. It ends up solidly mid-pack on the school’s leaderboard, behind cars like the Bonrco and the Durango SRT, but in front of the Ram TRX and the Toyota Corolla. Not bad.
Knox says the main things holding back the A8L from going quicker were the turbo lag, the aging automatic transmission, the anti-lock brakes, and, of course, the weight. Lose some poundage and shift the car yourself, and you can certainly cut off some time.
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