OK, do I sound like I'm being unfair with Audi's new flagship? Those who regularly read my reviews should be aware that I can be critical when a car doesn't measure up to an image its manufacturer is trying to portray. That, of course, is my job, and why you, the potential new car buyer, read my endless babble as it is, right? Good. Then I'm not quite finished complaining yet.

Having the driver's door automatically lock while out of the car with the engine running was an unwelcome surprise, and a disturbing inconvenience. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

I pulled up to the library to drop off my wife Jennifer and son Kaden who were riding in the back, limo-style. I stepped out of the idling car, closed my door, walked around and opened the passenger side rear door, letting my family out. Once they were on their way, I walked back around to the driver's door to find it locked, with the keys in the ignition and the engine still running. Excuse me?! Even a modern day Kia is smart enough not to lock the keys in the car while the engine is running. My heart immediately raced, panic stricken. I checked the driver's side rear door, locked. Went back around to the passenger side rear door that my family just exited through, open. Whew! For some reason the power lock switch on this door would not open all the doors, so I was forced to sprawl between the two front seats across the armrests to open the driver's door. An elegant way to enter my $100,000 ride, no? My gawking well-to-do neighbors were most impressed.

The A8's automatic opening and closing trunk is large, with a grand total of 500 L (17.7 cu ft) available. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

To add insult to injury the 'self locking' doors aren't as solid feeling when they open or close as some of Audi's competitors, and don't automatically latch into place like the BMW and top-line Lexus. The trunk does though, opening by the touch of the remote or via a button on the underside of the dash, and closing by pressing a button on the trunklid. It's large too, with a grand total of 500 L (17.7 cu ft) available.