The A8 is a full size luxury car, and is Audi’s flagship model. It is a technologically advanced car offering superb build quality, advanced petrol and diesel engines, and the Quattro four-wheel drive system developed by Audi. There is the choice of the standard and long-wheelbase versions, and the S8, a more highly tuned variant of the standard model.
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Latest Audi A8 Car Reviews:
The A8 is a fast, powerful car with great grip thanks to the four-wheel-drive but which suffers a little in the steering. The cabin is elegant and the SE trim offers loads of features as standard, ...
The V8 A8 is incredibly fast and powerful and the engine refined and efficient. However, the V6 engine is still impressive, but will save on running costs, which are high with the V8 despite the ef...
With very impressive performance for a diesel engine, combined with perhaps even more impressive fuel efficiency and low emissions and a meticulous attention to detail, the Audi A8 4.2 Quattro SE E...
The 3.0 TFSI Quattro SE Executive is a great saloon, with loads of classic glamour inside and out. The SE Executive trim includes loads of features including a rear parking camera and satellite nav...
The 3.0 TDI Quattro SE Executive is a strong, powerful engine which has relatively low running costs and CO2 emissions, thanks to the efficient diesel engine. The diesel is much more economical tha...
Audi A8 Overview
Although the A8 is costly to buy and own, the 3.0 litre V6 diesel makes the most financial sense, and will soften the blow at the pumps. Other engine choices are the 3.0 and 4.2 litre V6 and V8 petrol engines, or the 4.2 litre V8 diesel engine. There is also a 6.3 litre W12 petrol engine available for the long-wheel based model.
Although the exterior styling of the A8 may look bland and dull, the interior is anything but. A new design debuted in this generation of the A8, with most switches and controls being completely redesigned, with the majority of the cars functions being controlled through the MMI (multimedia interface). The finish is second to none, with only the highest quality materials being used throughout. Comfort is paramount to the design of the A8, with acres of room in the back and a highly adjustable seat and steering wheel for the driver, which enables the perfect driving position to be achieved.
Background
The A8 was introduced as Audi’s luxury flagship model in 1994 to replace the Audi V8. Originally it was built on the Volkswagen Group D platform and featured an all aluminium monocoque which helped to reduce weight whilst maintaining structural rigidity. This principle was marketed as the ‘Audi Space Frame’. The A8 came in either standard or long-wheelbase variations (A8L), and by 1997 was offered as either front or four-wheel drive. In the same year there were plans to put an A8 coupe into production, but after a prototype was built, following lower than expected sales of the similar BMW 8 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe the idea was scraped.
The second generation was introduced in 2002, was longer than the original, and was again offered as either the standard or long-wheelbase version. For 2008 it received a facelift that gave an early version of the single-frame grille which is recognisable on all of today’s Audi models. The third generation of the A8, and A8L, went into production in 2010 and represented a move away from the Volkswagen Group D platform to the MLP (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which is shared with a number of the larger current Audis.
Throughout the production of the A8 there have been generations of S8, which are designed to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz AMG S-Class.
Summary
The A8 is a real luxury model, which provides superior comfort whether you are being chauffeur driven or are behind the wheel yourself. Whilst it looks nothing special from the outside, the cabin is a joy to spend time in, and due to its excellent refinement outside noise won’t spoil the brilliant ride.
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