2020 Audi A8 Reviews

The best part of a decade ago, Audi's second generation A8 was the car that had heavyweight German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz looking over their shoulder in 2003.A fresh challenger with a technological tour de force that included an aluminium space frame construction and a brilliant interpretation of BMW's own iDrive system -- so good that BMW borrowed facets of it back for their later generations of the interactive system -- the A8 seemed worthy of its place in elite company.While that challenge didn't quite live up to early expectations, here's an early tip for the super-luxury segment leaders: take another good look behind -- because the third generation of Audi's limousine is closing fast.  For their latest offering, Audi has kept the best and improved the rest to produce a car that pleases the eye nearly as much as the senses.DrivetrainsFor Australia, the A8 will arrive for its July launch party boasting a pair of 4.2-litre V8 engines -- a 258kW and 800Nm turbo diesel and a marginally less brutal FSI petrol offering with 273kW and 445Nm. Both engines, driving all four wheels through a standard eight-speed gearbox, are more powerful than those in the outgoing models and yet up to 22 per cent more efficient the TDI boast an impressive 7.6L/100km on the official ADR test cycle while the petrol is an equally frugal (for its size) 9.5L/100km.A 3-litre V6 TDI version will reach Australia by the end of the year, but unlike the front-drive European eco-leader the Aussie car will have quattro AWD and boast fuel economy of 6.6L/100km enough to benefit from the government's sub-7L/100km tax incentives.Pricing and equipmentPricing and specification for Australia have not been finalised but given the likely level of new equipment and the new engines it would be fair to expect some price increase over the $206,600 (FSI) and $211,400 (TDI) of the outgoing models.  Favoured as standard equipment along with the usual raft of safety and comfort technology expected in any luxury car approaching a quarter of a million dollars by the time you get it in the garage are a couple of delight features that will set the A8 apart.Once again, the techno think tank at Audi has taken the MMI (multi media integration) to a new level with the inclusion of a human-machine interface scratchpad that allows phone dialing and navigation instructions to be delivered by writing on the pad with a finger. The integration software recognises the character or numeral and then offers a voice confirmation before accepting the next character.Also expected to be standard on the Australian A8s are adaptive air suspension, comfort seating with 22-way adjustment, the playful ambient lighting which allows for a choice of three mood settings for the interior, parking system with rear camera, adaptive Xenon headlights and 19-inch alloys.If you still have some change left there will be a good range of optional extras including LED headlamps, Google-map ready adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, night vision, lane assist, side assist (which clearly warns of a car in the blind spot), a spanking 19-speaker sound system and rear seat entertainment.DrivingThe A8 is a big car… and you can't help but notice that as you walk around it. Sit inside it and the space equation is again driven home.  There is room to spare, front and rear ... and all of it in an environment of quality luxury styling and trim that lifts this car to the benchmark of anything sub-Bentley. It is quite simply a beautiful execution.Yet, the real magic of the A8 is that it does not drive like a limousine. There is all the refinement at speed and isolation from just about any noise intrusion that you expect from a true luxury vehicle, but the feel of the car and the driving dynamics are that of a sports-oriented mid-size sedan.There is no doubt that the big Audi benefits from its aluminium construction … a claimed 200kg weight saving over a similar-sized steel chassis car is no small thing. But it is more than that.  The chassis and suspension teams have performed a minor miracle in getting a balance of ride quality and connection with the road almost in spite of the adaptive air suspension, a system which across any number of marques has been acknowledged to average off driver's-edge performance for comfort.There is a similar fuzzy definition between the A8s basic comfort settings and the dynamic mode. Ride stiffness and steering feel are ... different ... in the dynamic setting, but not necessarily a great deal more engaging. Where the A8 wins is that even in the basic armchair setting there is still a grand degree of driver engagement rarely found in the limousine class.We simply left the system on automatic and allowed the computers to make their own choices. It didn't diminish the enjoyment of the drive.  Across motorways and dauntingly narrow, steep and twisting mountain roads the A8 rode and reacted with a confidence-inspiring assuredness and the aplomb of a true aristocrat.Power delivery from both the FSI and TDI engines is excellent but there is no doubt that the pick is the diesel which boasts better urge across a wider rev range that, when coupled to the eight speed auto, delivers a seamless willingness to reach for the horizon.The enjoyment of the drive is helped in no small part by the power split through the quattro system that leans towards the feel of a rear-wheel drive giving the confidence to tip the car into even the tightest of corners with the capability of balancing it on the throttle.  What Audi has done for the generational change in the A8 is extraordinary.Whether it will be enough to unseat the reigning segment champions is problematical. What is beyond question is that if you are planning on spending more than $200,000 on a sedan, this car must at least be on the shortlist.Audi A8Price: from $210,000 (est)Engine: 4.2L/V8 FSI, 273kW/445Nm; 4.2L/V8 TDI, 258kW/800NmTransmission: 8-speed automaticEconomy: 9.5L/100km (FSI, supplied), 7.6L/100km (TDI, supplied)RivalsBMW 750i ($274,200)Mercedes-Benz S500 ($289,900)Lexus LS460 ($191,250)

A classic long wheelbase luxury saloon, A8 is the flagship of the Audi range. It has been on sale in Australia since mid-1995 and is an exceptional piece of automotive engineering.

Audi's oil-burning twin turbo V8 is a fantastic advertisement for what diesel has to offer. The big 4.2-litre common rail direct injection diesel generates 240kW of power and 650Nm of torque from a low 1600rpm.That's enough oomph to push Audi's flagship A8 from rest to 100km/h in a super quick 5.9 seconds. That's faster than the 3.2 and 4.2 petrol models. And, if the wind's blowing the right way, it even sounds like a V8 although somewhat subdued.The punchline, however, is that it can do this at the same time as using just 9.7 litres of diesel/100km. With a 90-litre fuel tank, that gives the A8 TDI a range of more than 900km.But it's not just about the economy, it's about the way the big diesel drives because, with all that torque, it delivers effortless performance.Each of the two turbochargers serves one bank of the V8's eight cylinders. The two intake manifolds are interconnected by means of a 'feedthrough' system, to equalise the pressure between the right and left cylinder banks.Audi claims this boosts cylinder charging and consequently enhances the engine's power output.We can't argue with that.Sitting long and low, the lightweight, aluminium-bodied A8 cuts an imposing figure. It looks like the kind of car you'd own if you had money, but didn't have the time to waste on some antsy pantsy sports car.At $210,000, the A8 4.2 TDI Quattro is at the top end of town. But even at this price it still falls a long way short of the $300,000 top of the range long wheelbase W12.The V8 is hooked up to a six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission with dynamic gearshift program and additional sports program. Let it change gears, or do it yourself via the gear shift or steering wheel mounted paddles.Power is delivered to all four wheels via Quattro permanent four-wheel, with anti-lock brakes and Electronic Stability Control.The A8 is 5062mm long, 1894mm wide and 1444mm high. It weighs in at 1945kg and sits on 19-inch alloys with 255/40 rubber.For a big car it responds quickly with strong performance across the range, doing a good job of living up to Audi's 'world's sportiest' diesel-engined passenger car claim.Topping off the package is adaptive air suspension, which allows you to dial in the kind of ride you want - from soft and cushy to firm and sporty.We could live without the wood (it does come in grey) but miss exterior mirrors that dip when reversing.The TDI's equipment list is as long as your arm. Leather, wood and plenty of airbags are standard, so is TV, Satnav and a cordless phone.But even at this price there are still plenty of options, from sports suspension to a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control.

Midway through 2006, Audi added the option of a turbo-diesel to its topline A8 series.

Another day, another diesel. The CARSguide team has tested so many oil-burners in the past few months that you would think diesel was the dominant fuel in Australia.Well, it isn't and car companies still face a big battle to convince Australians that paying a premium to buy a diesel is worth it.The image of diesel has moved forward from the days it was associated with smoking four-wheel-drives, but it still has a way to go.Hoping to help change the image, several premium brands are importing diesel engines for some of their most expensive models, including 4WDs and sedans.Audi is even importing a diesel version of its range-topping A8. This is the model that takes on the cream of the German limos, including the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the BMW 7-Series.The A8 range starts with a 3.7-litre petrol V6 for $169,950, then jumps to $204,500 for the 4.2-litre petrol V8.So where does the diesel A8 sit in the range? Right on top of the regular models at $210,000.Only the stretched A8s are more expensive. That is a lot of cash to cough up for any car.But this diesel is different. It's not designed with fuel savings in mind. After all, the type of high-rollers who might buy this are about as interested in fuel prices as they are about price rises for a slab of VB.The diesel donk in the A8 is about sheer force. It has 4.2-litres and eight cylinders assisted by two big turbos that spool-up to produce a healthy 240kW at 3750 revs — quite incredible for a diesel.What is more impressive is the torque total — a whopping 650Nm.To put that into context, the new 6.0-litre V8 in the Holden SS Commodore produces 530Nm and the Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo churns out 480Nm. This poke allows the big A8 limo, which weighs 1945kg, to dash from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds.All the urge runs through a six-speed automatic and is fed to all four wheels.Though the Audi boffins designed the engine with performance in mind, the fuel economy is also good. The official figure is 9.7 litres for 100km of city and highway driving.This means owners could drive for 950km without having to stop for fuel.Just as you would expect for a car that costs six-times the price of a base Commodore, the A8 TDI comes fully loaded.It has all the safety gear with all the electronic assistance and a full-suite of airbags, as well as luxuries including a 17cm colour centre information screen with satellite navigation and TV tuner, eight-speaker premium sound system, leather seats, sunroof, xenon headlights that swivel to point around corners and a keyless start.Another feature to delight the tech-heads is a fingerprint ID system that allows the car to recognise the driver and adapt accordingly.ON THE ROADTHE engine in the A8 is the best diesel we have driven. The burst of torque from the bottom of the rev range is simply brilliant.It slings the A8 forward with such force that you look forward to the next stop, so you can go through the acceleration process again.With the tricky variable geometry turbos working hard to smooth out the power delivery, the diesel surge runs all the way to the red-line.The turbos pause only slightly before turning on the punch, a long way from the turbo lag that some smaller diesel engines still have.Fuel consumption is not fantastic compared with many smaller diesels, but is excellent when you consider how potent the engine is.The fuel economy figure we achieved on the test ran from about 8.5 litres/100km on the highway to 11 litres when pushed.The automatic transmission is well suited to the punchy diesel and you hardly notice it.You can, of course, use the paddles on the steering wheel, which shout "gimmick". The paddles are next-to-useless because the gearbox over-rides the driver and changes up anyway, even when the automatic is flicked into manual mode.And with 650Nm of torque on tap, it is not as though you are going to have to work the gears to extract enough punch from the engine.The A8 has exceptionally light steering, which is nice when you are cruising around town or trying to park in tight spaces. The downside is that it is too light if you ever feel like getting sporty on a twisty road, and there is virtually no feedback through the wheel for the driver.The big German's adaptive air-suspension works quite well. It depends on your taste, but we found the standard suspension setting a touch too firm and the Luxury setting was too soft over any types of bumps.The system absorbs most bumps with ease but, strangely, some small things such as cats-eye reflectors seem to send a jolt through the aluminium body.When it comes to creature comforts, the A8 excels. Lots of things help out in everyday driving but many are there just to be shown off to friends.The centre control screen is super-crisp, thanks to high-resolution colour graphics, and the MMI (Multi Media Interface) is the best control system in a luxury German car.Seat comfort is excellent and there is a mass of interior space, including in the huge boot. The only thing missing from the cockpit is heated seats. They are optional, but should comes standard on such an expensive car.THE BOTTOM LINEThe storming diesel engine is simply stunning and makes diesel make sense, and we'd pick it over the V8 petrol.SCORE: 80/100FAST FACTThis is the first time Australian customers can order an A8 with a diesel.SPECS$210,000 as testedENGINE: 4.2-litre V8 turbo-diesel with two VTG turbochargersPOWER: 240kW at 3750 revsTORQUE: 650Nm at 1600-3500 revsTRANSMISSION: Six-speed automatic with sports shift, all-wheel-driveBODY: Four-door sedanSEATS: FiveDIMENSIONS: length 5062mm, width 1894mm, height 1444mm, wheelbase 2944mm, tracks 1629/1615mm front/rearSTEERING: Speed-dependent rack and pinionFUEL TANK: 90 litresFUEL TYPE: DieselFUEL CONSUMPTION: 9.7 litres/100kmWEIGHT: 1945kgSPARE TYRE: Full-size spareBRAKES: Discs all roundTYRES: 255/40R19SAFETY GEAR: Anti-skid brakes, electronic stability control, eight airbagsWARRANTY: Three-years/unlimited kmSTANDARD FEATURESAirconditioningCruise controlAlloy wheelsClimate controlLeather seatsParking sensorsAutomatic wipersHOW IT COMPARESMercedes Benz S500: 79/100 (from $253,900)BMW 750i: 73/100 (from $213,500)Audi A8 4.2 (petrol): 78/100 (from $203,000)

What do you do when it's mere moments from the only hour of TV that you really need to watch every week and the power goes out?If an Audi A8 4.2-litre V8 TDI just happens to be parked in your driveway, you simply leave the sitting room and turn the massive diesel's power on.Not only is this A8 blessed with an earth-moving, twin-turbo monster under the bonnet, it also has a TV tuner.Crisis solved.If it looked a little odd — bathed in the glow of Top Gear while seated in a darkened street — it was certainly comfortable with the heater on.The only downer was being unable to toast my marshmallows, as seat heating is an option in a car that comes in at more than the double tonne in price and weight.Moving along, the A8's fun factor increases exponentially.The 246kW and 650Nm produced by its 4.2 V8 could put a smile on anyone's dial — and if our locally based manufacturers would explore diesels, maybe our government fleets could be run with less pain to the taxpayer.Having kicked around town for two days, it was off down the freeway just to see how the A8's quattro grip held on.On the open road at 110km/h, the big diesel barely gets above idling speed; this car could cruise at double that velocity and still have abundant overtaking power up its sleeve.Many times, while going around slower vehicles, the reins had to be well and truly tugged to get it back on the right side of the lane markers.Once the A8 has a sniff of an open throttle, holding it back is as much a job as keeping it at normal speeds.The latter task is best left to Audi's version of radar cruise control. Once set, it will keep the car travelling at your desired speed until other traffic is encountered and overtaken safely.I found it better than the version tried recently in BMW's 550i — designated 10km/h increments work better than guessing via gauges.Ride quality is, of course, excellent, with adaptive air-cushioned suspension constantly monitoring road conditions and driver inputs to deliver the optimum combination.It's so good that a few times I was caught out on corners that sharpened mid-apex — it could also have been due to the long drive after the working week and a slightly docile driver at the wheel.Audi cabin comfort gets top marks, as always.The front seats have more power than certain cheap cars, and with the vast amount of space in the rear you'd have to be running a multi-national media empire to need the even bigger A8L version.The power-operated boot (opening and closing) has enough room for your Sunday-morning golf clubs and luggage for the drive to your country house.Most impressive is that, even carrying this sort of weight, the V8 diesel ate up the kilometres effortlessly and achieved an amazing 900km from one tank of the smelly stuff.It was filled up above the reserve fuel level only to hose down my lovely wife's paranoia at the prospect of having to hitch a ride near the Belanglo State Forest.At least we could have watched telly while we waited.Almost worth $210,000, when you think about it ...

Boasting the sporty three-litre V6 TDi engine, which powered the A6 to a "Best Luxury Car over $57,000" gong in Australia's Best Car awards last year, the A4, priced at $86,700, delivers as "the most-powerful six-cylinder TDi in the B-segment".The C220CDi Mercedes-Benz diesel offers 110kW and 430Nm, while the newly introduced BMW 320d produces 115kW and 330Nm, although both are four-cylinder offerings.The new Audi V6 powerplant is a common-rail direct injection unit that uses piezo injectors (voltage-activated injectors that are very quick and precise) and runs 1600bar of pressure in the fuel delivery system.Multiple fuel injections per cycle and two intercoolers for the single turbocharger are among the other engine bay highlights.With 171kW of power and 450Nm of torque on tap, six-speed tiptronic transmission and speed-sensitive power steering, the A4 seamlessly (and frugally) cruises but has the capacity to reach 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.Similarly, the $210,000 supercar A8, with its all-new 4.2-litre, eight-cylinder twin-turbo engine, lightweight Audi space frame and quattro all-wheel drive, also turns it on.The turbodiesel V8 comes from the same family as the new V6 in the A4, using the same high-pressure common-rail direct-injection principles, and boasts a weight of 255kg, down by 15kg over its smaller predecessor.Like the A4, the engine is of low-weight, compact design, with Audi claiming a new benchmark in acoustics.The V8 has two turbochargers, with variable turbine geometry, assisting in reducing lag and generating higher torque at lower engine speeds, as well as two intercoolers.With 240kW and 650Nm the high-performance limousine accelerates from 0 to 100 in just 5.9sec.The new powerplant is so quiet it's easy to forget you are driving a diesel.The A8's 4.2 TDi engine's twin-pipe exhaust system is also equipped with a diesel particulate filter — made to last the lifetime of the vehicle without additives or servicing — which further decreases the engine's emissions, which in greenhouse terms are already low.And while Australian motorists do not have the privilege of discounted diesel prices, rebated registrations and the reduced taxation offered to their European counterparts, the models' fuel economy is incentive enough.Averaging 8.4 litres per 100km under Australian Standards testing, the A4 offers around 750km per tank; with just 9.7 litres per 100km fuel consumption, the A8 pushes close to 1000km.Both models feature electric front seats complete with electric lumbar support and leather upholstery.Positioned behind the sports leather steering wheels, driving from Hobart to Launceston was a pleasure.Travelling vast highways, curly mountain roads and even navigating unsealed stretches in winter conditions with ease, both the A4 and A8 lived up to the expectation that the sporty-yet-safe luxury models would be smooth operators.

The group of Audis were lined up on the side of the road on the way to the Blue Mountains and in that instant it became clear just how few people would ever consider spending $325,000 on a car.As he drove past in his old Holden, the driver yelled out the window: "Go home you rich *&#$!!" and made me realise just what a special car we were actually driving.With a pricetag this high it is not surprising Audi says the W12 will be a niche model.The company expects to sell just 10 a year.The W12 was released this week with the rest of the A8 range which includes a 3.7-litre V8 ($169,950), a 4.2-litre V8 ($202,000) and a 4.2-litre V8 long wheelbase ($217,100). The whole range will go on sale next month.Like the new HSVs, the W12 hides a 6.0-litre engine under the bonnet. It features two six-cylinder engines side by side (two Vs, hence the name W12) but has 12 cylinders instead of eight.Put your right foot down and the refined W12 exhaust note resonates through the cabin. It is not as raw as a V8 and does not sound as racy but there is no denying this car has some serious mumbo. The engine has 331kW of power and 580Nm of torque, which takes the W12 to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds, to 200km/h in 17.4 seconds and hits its regulated speed of 250km/h in 30 seconds. All on 13.9 litres of fuel per 100km.There are no big spoiler kits or wings on the A8 range — that is not what it is all about.It is a luxury limousine, albeit a sporty one.The range, though, does sport the new single frame grille — a feature that makes the car instantly recognisable.As we approached the tollgates in the W12, it was clear the two toll collectors had seen us coming. Stopping to place the money inside the basket, we overheard the pair remarking on the car, in particular the wheels."Look at the wheels," one said to the other. "Yeah, it must be new," the other remarked, as they looked the car up and down from one end to the other.The interior of the W12 is stylish and elegant and all occupants are treated to what feels like comfy leather lounge chairs an abundance of switches you can adjust. It has that classic Audi sweet-leather smell, too.It has a long list of features over the long-wheelbase 4.2-litre A8, which Audi claims justifies the hefty $107,900 premium.While the dash and console have a raft of buttons, they are not cluttered — and reveal the host of hidden technologies that abound in such a car.The W12 makes you feel like royalty — you would want to have practised your version of the Queen's wave, and can't help but pose.Or, just distract yourself in the back seat — a home away from home which is all controlled by that most important piece of equipment — the remote control.Everything in the car is controlled by the remote: from the airconditioning, massaging and heated seats and rear sunblinds to the multi-media interface, which includes a 17.5cm colour display.There is also an upmarket esky. The Audi coolbox can accommodate two one-litre bottles, two glasses and has LED lighting.There are even rear vanity mirrors.An inbuilt cordless phone nestles under the front armrest. Incoming calls can be taken from the rear seat via a handset.The surround-sound system brings the choir into the car and the amp, 13 speakers and two surround loudspeakers, produces a sound that only starts to distort at a volume the ears can't tolerate anyway.The W12 is like having a personal chauffeur who opens and close the doors for you. The key, while still in your pocket or bag, remotely operates the central locking.Audi claims the W12 is the first car in the world with LED daytime driving lights and it also has rear lights with LED technology.The W12 also has adaptive lights that turn into corners via the steering wheel movement. There are eight airbags and every safety system imaginable.All the A8s cruised along Bells Line of Road as the group powered towards Katoomba.There is no waiting for a supercharger or turbo to kick in when accelerating. Power is instantaneous and starts at low revs.The six-speed automatic gearbox (standard on all variants) is a dream to use, with a sport mode for aggressive automatic shifts, a full-automatic mode and the option to change gears manually using a shifter.The manual mode gave a little more of a kick and felt more controlled when cornering.While the 4.2-litre V8 is the most popular model, the 3.7-litre V8 has plenty of power and an even growlier exhaust note and gets most of the 4.2-litre luxuries anyway.Boot room is substantial and a welcome full-size spare lies under the mat.

They have to pamper their owner's ego, and make an instant impact at anything from the golf club to the Logies.That's just the way it is when somebody puts down more than $200,000 for a car that does the same basic transport task as a $13,990 Toyota Echo.On luxury alone, the latest Audi A8L is close to the best, and does a brilliant job on value.But, and it's a big one, no Audi has the instant impact of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or a BMW 7-Series.This is one of the reasons Audi has created the A8L, which puts an extra 130mm into the length of its luxury flagship.It makes the L impossible to miss, and gives it the something extra to create an entrance.But it costs, and an A8L comes in close to $50,000 beyond the starter car in the A8 line-up. The "shortie" 3.7-litre A8 quattro is $173,900, and the 4.2-litre A8L costs $221,800.The A8L is a new member of the Audi family, but it's not as new as the mid-sized A6 and coming A4.They are proof Audi is serious about challenging Benz and BMW at every level.Creating the L was easy for Audi, which already had its A8 complete with a 4.2-litre V8 engine and signature quattro all-wheel-drive.It put an extra 130mm into the body, and left it in the back seat.Audi included plenty of luxury items: a Bose concert-hall sound system, leather trim, an MME computer control centre and electric windows and seats.It's all inside the A8's aluminium body, and powered by an engine with 246kW – enough for a 0-100km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds.It's great value, and should put the A8 on more shopping lists.ON THE ROADWE TRIED something different with the A8L, collecting the car in Sydney and using it on the long round trip to Bathurst and back for the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000.The route was chosen to taste the car in the city and on a range of highways, with a little more time for relaxation than our regular one-week run on home territory.The car turned heads among the V8 Supercar crowd, who are more focused on Falcons and Commodores.The first impression is always vital and the A8L made a hit with its big body, superb final finishing and the gear in the cabin.You really get a buzz when you find so many toys and trinkets.The A8L is fairly sprightly, provided you push the pedal down and are prepared to pay for premium unleaded gulped at a rate about 17 litres/100km.It has a nice gruff engine note, a six-speed automatic that encourages you to take manual control – with change paddles on the steering column – and sure-footed quattro grip in corners.There is a lot of space in the back, and it's great to stretch out and enjoy the comfort, but Audi's focus is on driving enjoyment.But it's not perfect, as we discovered on some twisty roads. The front suspension allows the wheels to crash and bang through bumps and the A8L can be upset by corrugations. Its weight and the tuning of the adjustable suspension isn't always perfect for Australia.All the switches in the cabin make it a fantastic play room for adults, and all you need for a perfect back-seat journey is a DVD system.The Bathurst trip was over in a flash, or so it felt, which is always the measure of a class car.Once again we come back to the reason why people buy cars such as the A8L. They might rate them on quality and equipment and value and performance, but they really buy with their hearts.The A8L is a winner, but still doesn't have a silver star on the bonnet.THE BOTTOM LINEAN IMPRESSIVE luxury express that still doesn't have the following of a Benz.