Audi A8 L 4.2 TDI quattro Review Interior, design and technology

Audi A8 L 4.2 TDI quattro Review Interior, design and technology

Audi A8 L 4.2 TDI quattro

The Audi A8 luxury saloon is on the market with a broad vary of powertrains, from petrol-electric hybrid to the storming S8 and W12 models. Whichever you opt for, all square measure sleek and refined, as befits a top-of-the-range luxury saloon, delivering robust performance with the additional security of Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system.

Some patrons during this market are going to be drawn to the unostentatious styling; others is also suspend, and suppose the A8 too closely resembles lesser models within the Audi vary. Either way, most can agree that the automobile is handsome.

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It’s conjointly a technological tour Diamond State force, with a variety of ordinary and nonmandatory kit that produces it laborious to beat for either safety or luxury. The automobile is very well designed, too, though alternative premium rivals offers a additional custom feel – however it’s the to a fault firm ride that continues to be the A8’s solely real Achilles’ heel.

Our Choice:
Audi A8 3.0 TDI SE govt

The Audi A8 is that the German firm’s most luxurious saloon, sitting well on top of the A6 line-up, and competitory with rivals like the BMW seven Series, Jaguar XJ, Maserati Quattroporte, vary Rover and Mercedes S-Class.

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There are simply 3 generations of Audi A8 purchasable since the model was 1st introduced in 1994, however this current one was facelifted in 2013 once it benefitted from a significant upgrade of its aboard technology. Like most of the competitors, it’s laborious to think about safety, luxury and school advances that aren’t accessible on this spectacular vary flagship.

The Audi A8 comes in normal and long distance versions, the latter called the Audi A8L. With associate all-new replacement – the fourth generation – due on sale in 2018 Audi United Kingdom has restricted this engine selections to 258bhp three.0 and 380bhp four.2-litre TDI units shared across each bodystyles, and a 493bhp six.3-litre W12 fuel possibility for the A8L, and a 513bhp twin-turbo four.0-litre TFSI fuel for the flashy S8 variant. All models go together with Audi’s trademark Quattro four-wheeled drive system, and that they share associate eight-speed automotive vehicle transmission.

The Audi A8 SE govt is that the least expensive trim level within the vary, however it'd appear lavishly equipped to most drivers with its 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive  air suspension, electrical animal skin seats, 7-inch TFT screen, HDD sat-nav, keyless go, climate management, reversing 

camera and parking system.

The Audi A8 Sport is next up with larger 19-inch alloys, a Bose surround electronic equipment, three-spoke handwheel associated LED Matrix headlamps and an exterior styling pack. The Audi A8 Black Edition adds thumping 21-inch alloys with metallic element end, sports air suspension, and a high-gloss black exterior styling package. The Audi A8L SE govt and A8L W12 models square measure the sole choices if you wish the additional legroom within the back – with the W12 model giving on an individual basis adjustable electrical rear seats and a CV/DVD player to stay the chairman of the board pleased.

There’s now not associate Audi A8 hybrid on supply, however the new Audi S8 saloon is on the market in normal associated S8 and guises – the latter hiking power from 513bhp to an eye-watering 596bhp.

Engines, performance and drive

The diesels square measure fast, however fuel S8 models square measure tremendously quick. It's simply a shame regarding the firm ride

Thanks to its quattro four-wheel-drive system, the A8 features a name for being one in every of the sharpest luxury cars to drive, giving many grip and taut body management. Stability at speed is powerful and it’s involving on a crooked back road. The trade-off for this, though, may be a firmer low-speed ride.

Tyre noise is additionally additional of a difficulty within the Audi than within the ultra-refined Mercedes S-Class. Audi’s Drive choose system is fitted as normal, however albeit you tweak these settings, the large A8 doesn’t appear to settle. It ne'er quite manages to match the balance between comfort and handling achieved by the S-Class.
Engines

The 3.0-litre V6 TDI delivers 258bhp and takes the automobile from 0-62mph in five.9 seconds, however claims fuel economy of forty nine.6mpg. There’s a additional powerful four.2-litre TDI V8 on prime of this, with 380bhp and a colossal 850Nm of force. This guarantees 0-62mph in exactly four.7 seconds, that is quicker than some sports cars, and every one the A8 vary has quattro four-wheeled drive, that delivers staggering traction and grip in corners.

If drivers wish the final word in luxury performance, the S8 offers 513bhp from its four.0-litre twin-turbo V8, and can demolish the 0-62mph sprint in exactly four.1 seconds. The S8 and ups the ante with 596bhp, a 0-62mph time of three.8 seconds and a 189mph most speed. lightsomeness gets a lift, too, because of the delicate Sport quattro rear differential, that channels power to individual rear wheels. 

The top-spec A8 W12 uses an equivalent six.3-litre engine because the Bentley Continental GT, detuned here to provide 493bhp. It’s very sleek, however not low cost to shop for or run.
MPG, CO2 and running prices
3.5
Like most luxury limousines, the A8 is dear to shop for and run, and can depreciate heavily yet

The A8 options stop/start and regenerative braking so as to stay running prices in restraint – 40mpg may be a realistic chance from the three.0 TDI if you’re careful.

Audi’s official economy figure is as high as forty nine.6mpg, with CO2 emissions quoted at 149g/km. which means the profit in a similar way charge per unit may be a comparatively low twenty seven per cent, however the A8 still can’t contend with the newer Mercedes S-Class during this respect – particularly if you decide for 19-inch alloys, that hike fuel consumption by the maximum amount as two.5mpg, and increase emissions enough to bump the saloon into consecutive income tax bracket.

The 4.2 TDI V8 guarantees official economy of thirty-nine.2mpg, whereas CO2 emissions stand at 189g/km, that mean a profit in a similar way charge per unit of thirty five per cent. therefore it’s a dearer proposition comprehensive.

Not amazingly, the top-of-the-range S8 and and A8 W12 square measure the 2 least economical models within the line-up, with Audi quoting twenty eight.2mpg and 231g/km for the S8 and and twenty five.7mpg and 254g/km for the W12. If you’re tempted to use even a fraction of the performance potential of those cars, you won’t get near those fuel economy figures, and if you've got to raise regarding the corporate automobile tax rates you’re in all probability not on a high enough pay grade… it’s thirty seven per cent.
Insurance teams

The Audi A8 might price less to insure than the Mercedes S-Class, however it’s still not precisely low cost. patrons square measure viewing insurance cluster forty three for the entry-level three.0 TDI, whereas the four.2-litre diesel sits in cluster forty seven.

The fuel S8 and W12 models supply supercar levels of performance, and not amazingly attract the very best doable rating as a result – each square measure in cluster fifty.
Depreciation

Unfortunately, consistent with our experts’ predictions, the A8 has poorer residual values than each the Mercedes S-Class and also the vary Rover. Best to not have confidence depreciation, a minimum of within the 1st few years of ownership; it'll be eye-watering.

Interior, style and technology

Under its handsome however unostentatious skin, the Audi A8 comes with a raft of latest technology

The Audi A8 has forever listed on its tasteful appearance, however from a distance it will usually be tough to differentiate from smaller, more cost-effective models within the Audi vary, as styling cues square measure shared with the remainder of the line-up.

For many potential patrons this may be a positive, as it’s a automobile that doesn’t shout regarding its look. The A8 is handsome and well proportioned, though it won’t flip heads just like the Mercedes S-Class or vary Rover, that have additional standout styling details
On the within, the A8 maintains Audi’s name for building a number of the most effective interiors within the business. finest materials square measure used throughout, with a logically laid-out dash, and there’s a huge array of leathers, veneers and inlays to administer the foremost gilded feel doable. Again, though, it doesn’t have the custom look of its 2 main rivals.

Even before patrons begin adding choices, the A8 features a appropriately upmarket  feel within. normal instrumentation includes 12-way electrically adjustable heated animal skin seats, sat-nav and four-zone climate management, yet as high-tech  options sort of a touchpad for the MMI cabin system.

Also offered square measure MatrixBeam LED headlamps, accessible with a pedestrian detection system. Thermal imaging cameras determine folks within the dark and stroboscope them with a separate beam whereas sounding a warning chime to the motive force. On quieter roads, the lights will track up to eight cars to stay the most beam on in any respect times whereas masking out specific areas of sunshine to avoid dazzling drivers motion within the other way. This not solely improves safety, it's nice, too.

Sat-nav, stereo and movie

As you’d expect, even the SE-spec A8 features a pretty comprehensive verbal description list. On the movie facet which means a seven-inch color screen on the dash, and Audi Music Interface that replicates your smartphone or iPod music show. you furthermore mght get HDD sat-nav, DAB radio and Bluetooth.

The standard system may be a six-speaker, 190-Watt set-up, however if you upgrade to Sport trim – or on the far side – you get fourteen speakers and a 600-Watt Bose surround-sound set-up.