Audi ahead of game with A8
T HE new fourth generation Audi A8 really is a car ahead of its time.
Launching now, the new flagship of the premium brand is the first car in the world to be built for the forthcoming age of autonomous vehicles which don’t require driver interaction in traffic at up to close to 40mph, the so-called Level 3 or “eyes off” category.
As legislation changes to allow the Level 3 to be ‘turned-on’, beginning in America but gradually being rolled out through Europe and the UK, the latest A8 comes with traffic jam pilot, parking pilot and remote garage pilot, which means it looks after itself.
Prices for the four model range in standard or 13cms longer wheelbase run from £69,100 to just under £75,000 depending on whether they are pow- ered by the 3.0V6 286ps turbo-diesel or 340ps 3.0V6 turbo-petrol, both boosted by a 48-volt mild-hybrid electric motor, and have eight-speed automat- ic transmission with quattro all-wheeldrive. That part electric 48-volt drivetrain indicates the future of Audi models but a fully electric model is also in the pipeline.
While the exterior changes may not be so evident, it is inside that the new A8 is eye-catching thanks to flat-screen touch and voice technology on the central console and fascia.
Those who order the long wheelbase model not only get five-inches extra legroom in an already big cabin but they get a bit more headroom as well, heated seats, four-zone automatic air conditioning, a 5.7-inch OLED tablet to control settings including window blinds and a 230v socket as well as additional USB ports.
We were able to evaluate both standard and long wheelbase 286ps 3.0 V6 models and apart from appreciating the added sophistication of the interi- or and truly massive room in the stretched version, their performance was head-turning.
Weighing in under two tonnes, their 0-60mph time was under six seconds with a limited top speed of 155mph, but we also saw up to 45mpg and down to 27mpg over a mixture of roads.
It’s a big car overall but the steering made it easy to park and manoeuvre in traffic and the brakes were mighty in application with just modest pedal pressure.
Visibility was excellent thanks to the low waistline and back-up sensors and the boot would be a chauffeur’s delight with 505 litres available, even if it’s a long reach to the bulkhead.
With added refinements, building on established qualities, and outstanding performance there seems little chance of demand diminishing as the future approaches.