What with the recent unveiling of the
all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class flagship it was only a matter of time before Audi
refreshed its rivalling A8 line-up. First introduced back in 1988 the Audi A8
has always been a luxury and technology demonstrator for the Ingolstadt-based
automaker. While the fourth-generation A8 pictured here isn’t entirely an
all-new model it does employ a raft of aesthetic, performance/efficiency and
technological updates to keep it in line with its contemporary adversaries.
It’s better than ever.
Only a true Audi aficionado will be able to
spot the visual tweaks over the older model. Look closely and you’ll notice the
new, simplified front bumper, trademark single-frame grille, sculpted bonnet
and flatter headlights. The headlight clusters are a marvel in their own right
but more on that later… The rear end’s had some work done, too, in the form of
fresh LED tail-lamps, two distinct trapezoidal exhaust outlets and a chrome
strip that punctuates the tailgate. The range-topping S8 builds on these
adjustments and as the sportiest model in the range it gets a host of truculent
additions such as model-specific wheels, bigger air inlets, a prominent grille
and double-barrel dual exhausts.
The
A8 can go from calm to hostile at flick of a button or right foot
Open the door, slide into the buttery soft
leather seats and you’re treated to one of the best-looking and smelling
interiors in the business. Eight core colour trim options are available to go
with ten colour schemes – one of which is the all-new vegetable-tanned
breathable Unicum leather seats. Audi Exclusive lets you tailor both the
interior and exterior of your vehicle in a selection of high-end trim, textures
and paint, if it’s a personal touch that you’re after. As subtle as the
interior revisions may be passenger comfort has been improved substantially.
These improvements include the introduction of an air ioniser, an integrated
bar and fridge cooler box, a 1400W Bang and Olufsen Advanced sound system,
power closing doors, and a rear seat package that includes seat-mounted LCD
screens.
The
cabin of the A8 is masterfully put together, offering both a premium feel and
intuitive controls
Available on the ‘Long’ model exclusively
is a rear centre console and optional relaxation seats with a power fold-out
footrest – an item specced by every fourth A8 customer. Luggage space has
improved by 10 litres to 520 litres and the altered aperture makes loading the
boot easier. NVH levels are excellent. Audi has worked extensively to make the
cabin as insulated as possible by utilising active engine mounts with noise
cancellation. It works. Not once during the launch evaluation did my driving
partner and I struggle to converse – even at unlimited autobahn speeds.
Rear
passengers enjoy plenty of space and comfort in this long-wheelbase model
The engine line-up has also been updated
and is more powerful and fuel efficient as a result. Of the five engine
derivatives destined for our shores (382kW 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo, 190kW
3.0-litre V6 TDI, 228kW 3.0-litre V6 TFSI and 368kW 6.3-litre W12) the
4.2-litre V8 turbo diesel is the most impressive of the lot. Not only is it
surprisingly frugal – delivering a claimed 7.4litres/100km – it revs fluently and
supplies an unrelenting 850Nm wall of torque from as low down as 2 000rpm. Up
25kW on its predecessor it feels as quick as the S8 and will catapult from
standstill to 100kph in just 4.7secs, and fetch a limited top speed of 250kph.
Each model is fitted with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission
while carbon ceramics are available as an option on the V8 models, S8 and A8 L
W12.
The
A8 gets the same 382kw 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 behemoth that powered the
previous model
Through the twisties the A8 does a good job
of hiding its plus-size dimensions thanks to its well-balanced underpinnings.
Grip is prodigious, weight transfer is minimal and the Quattro drivetrain and
self-locking centre differential inspires confidence in spades. Despite the new
model ditching hydraulic assistance in favour of an electromechanical set-up,
the steering is still accurate and is said to save up to 0.3 litres of fuel per
100km. As expected the ride quality is supremely supple but can get a bit
choppy depending on the surface of the road. On the safety front the A8 makes
use of 15 monitoring and driver assistance systems. This includes an animal and
pedestrian detection system that uses infrared cameras to detect heat and warn
drivers of any danger on the road. There’s also the Audi Pre-Sense and Audi
Active lane assist which nudges the steering wheel if you straddle a lane.
The
Audi MMI system is straightforward and user-friendly
The biggest talking point among the
journalists on the international launch in Düsseldorf, Germany was the Matrix Beam
LED headlamps. The new headlight is said to improve night vision and help avoid
accidents by masking out up to eight different cars at a given time with high beam
fully activated. To do this each headlamp uses 25 individual segments that are
activated or deactivated individually by an ultra light-sensitive camera that
detects light from oncoming vehicles and disperses light around the object so
as not to hinder its vision. It also operates together with the navigation
system to automatically engage high beam when the vehicle leaves suburban areas
and enters a country road. The headlights also benefit from intelligent
cornering lights, new-look DRLs and dynamic turn signals. Unlike the S-Class,
which uses a similar headlamp technology, the Audi Matrix system is
mechanism-free.
The refreshed Audi A8 range is a definite
improvement over its forebear. Refinement levels are superb, the engine
performance is mind-blowing and the luxury and technology shoehorned into the
driving experience state-of-the-art. Even in this supremely talented large
luxury segment, it really is difficult to fault.
