The Audi A8 will be one of the leading contenders is for the next year’s Car of the Year awards because it is such a fantastic package.
The impressive new Audi A8
Though the price may put off judges, the flagship Audi A8 has a number of technological advances as well as engine upgrades and is now available for order by UK customers.
On the road prices start at £58,800 with the first deliveries due in January 2014.
Drivers can expect more power, improved fuel efficiency from the models (the range now meets with EU6 emissions regulations) and Audi’s new MatrixBeam LED headlights for better safety.
Audi says that its new A8 is more technologically sophisticated and fuel efficient than many of its other models. The maker has followed the trend of using more aluminium in the frame to make the vehicle lighter.
Audi A8 gets a visual overhaul
There are a few visual design tweaks including a new bonnet, a single frame grille and the lights have been refashioned to. There are also five new colour options, new chrome elements and high gloss black window surrounds.
It all helps make the Audi A8 a very attractive car but it is the benchmarks being set for its technology and engines that will set this apart from the crowd.
Audi is particularly pleased with its new LED headlights which are unique and use 25 individual LEDs per unit which can be switched off or on or dimmed individually depending on the driving situation. Audi says the headlights will react to oncoming traffic while keeping the road ahead brightly lit.
It does this by using an on-board camera to detect the vehicles and dipping the lights automatically. In addition, the lights will react to the weather and road conditions, such as corners and road classifications.
Audi A8 engine line-up
There’s a choice of seven petrol and TDI engines which are linked to an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, all of which perform better than the outgoing model.
For instance, the supercharged 3.0 TFSI petrol engine is particularly noteworthy for its improved performance. It also helps that Audi A8’s diesel engines are now officially classed as ‘clean diesels’.
However, fuel economy is much as you would expect for this type of car with the Audi A8 L W12 Quattro, with its 6.3 litre petrol engine, returning 24.1 mpg. The S8 sports, which has a 4.0 litre TFSI engine will cover 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds and return 29.4 mpg.
UK buyers of the Audi A8 have a choice of three spec levels: SE, SE Executive and Sport Executive, though all of them come with a range of luxuries fitted as standard.
Among the gadgets are relaxation seats with powered footrests, electrically adjustable rear seats, front seats with massage settings and a cracking Bang & Olufsen audio system.