The Audi A8 is the full size luxury saloon vehicle from Audi and it is their flagship model The A8 has been in production since 1994 globally but was launched in India in 2008. The A8 competes directly with the Mercedes S Class, the BMW 7 Series and the Jaguar XJ. Now in its third generation the A8 also comes in both diesel and petrol variants and it has some of the best features you can find on a full size luxury car.
Design & Styling
Once again the A8 shares the same family traits as all other Audi cars only the A8 is the longest with a 2992mm wheelbase. The new three-dimensionally carved out bonnet is rounded off by the Audi Singleframe in stone grey. Side air inlets and redesigned angular front fog lights fit in harmoniously with the overall image. The clear bodyline defines the classic Saloon silhouette, which gives a balanced and elegant appearance. The continuous shoulder-line and long bonnet visually stretch the car optically, whilst also giving a dynamic feel to the design.
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Interiors
The interiors of the A8 are luxurious and very spacious. The interiors are far superior to the A4 and A6 but Audi still doesn’t go overboard in terms of design and the ergonomics are spot on, making it a very enjoyable car to sit in and drive- even more so if you are sitting in the rear seats. There is lots of room for all occupants and the seats are also quite comfortable and plush leather material. The centre console and dashboard are setup very nicely and the craftsmanship is very good giving a sense of high quality throughout the cabin. You can even personalize the interior cabin to your preference.
Engine & Transmission
The A8 we tested had a 3.0 litre TDI diesel engine that has been finer tuned so as to pump out 247bhp and 550Nm of torque. These are very impressive figures from a very impressive engine. The engine is also mated to a beautifully engineered 8-speed auto transmission. The A8 also comes with even larger power units such as the 4.0 litre TFSI with 420bhp, a 4.2 litre TDI with 346bhp and a massive W12 cylinder engine that produces 494bhp.
Performance and Handling
The A8 3.0 litre diesel is simply fantastic. The engine gives you soo much power and you can really feel the car pickup speed with just the slightest press of the throttle. The engine is very responsive and gives you power at any time even at low revs. The acceleration is brilliant and the engine sounds quite good as well. The auto transmission is phenomenally responsive as well and if you want to be even more precise you can switch to manual and switch with the paddles behind the steering. The suspension setup is very good but because the A8 is a fairly long car the steering response is not the best and the car feels heavy. It is in no way a fun car to drive, but it is definitely more of a luxury ride that provide great comfort.
Fuel Efficiency
The A8 comes with a Start-Stop system and a efficiency drive select mode that helps to reduce CO2 emissions and keep your mileage up, but we still got a fuel economy of just 9kmpl on average.
Features
The A8 comes stocked with great features such as automatic climate control, power steering with mounted steering controls, an inbuilt audio system with a centre console screen and MMI touch, 10 speakers, plus Bluetooth. There is also cruise control, auto wipers, electric parking brake and keyless entry. It also gets a Colour Driver’s Information system with 7” high-resolution screen.
Safety
Safety Features include ESP, airbags, Audi parking system plus, headlight washers, Electric lock-differential, and traction control.
Quality & Reliability
All Audi vehicles are built very well and use the highest quality materials you can find on a car. The fit and finish is very good and the car is built on a solid and strong chassis. Overall the quality is simply fantastic and the car is highly reliable. The only issue you will face is high maintenance costs.
Value for Money
The A8 is a one of the best full-size luxury sedans available today and for the Indian market it is priced pretty steep, but the value of the car is also very high, so its worth every penny.
Verdict
When compared to the Mercedes and the BMW rivals, the A8 is undoubtedly the better car. It is simple in design but it is the perfect luxury sedan. This is definitely your choice, whether or not you want to drive it, because it also has loads of comfort and is lathered in luxury.
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