The Audi A8 is Audi's full-size flag-ship sedan. It comes with just about everything, and what isn't standard is likely available. This is a large car but it has good visibility and a big greenhouse which make it easy to put it where you want to, on the road or in a parking lot. The A8 is all-aluminium to save weight and make this a big car that's not too heavy, and a car that can move. The Audi will hustle on a back road, but push the comfort mode button and it will cruise serenely on the highway all day long. The A8 is the more affordable option against the Mercedes S-class and BMW 7 series, and the interior is starting to show its age (the last complete redesign was 2011). It may not be the sportiest executive hauler, and it may not be the most high tech, but it is certainly still luxurious, elegant, and a great drive.
The big Audi got a refresh for 2014, so it continues into 2016 mostly unchanged. There is a 15 hp bump for the V8, and the diesel takes the year off. The A8 is available in regular A8 and long wheelbase A8L, with the latter adding 13 cm of rear leg room. There are three engines for 2016, the starter being a 3.0L six-cylinder supercharged engine making 333 hp. Step up to the V8 and get a twin turbo 4.0L with 450 hp. These two are available on both wheelbase models. Top of the line and exclusive to the long wheelbase is a 6.3L W12 making 500 hp. All come mated to an eight-speed automatic, and air suspension is also standard.
Standard on A8 are 19-inch wheels, adaptive headlights with LED accents, sunroof, kick-to-open power trunk, power assisted doors, four-zone climate control, valetta leather seats with 14-way adjustment, power rear sunshades, navigation, and a Bose 14-speaker stereo. Active safety tech includes front and rear park-assist, top view camera, lane departure and blind spot warnings. Step up to the V8 and get rear-collision alert, and ventilated and massaging front seats.
Option packages include Sport which adds sport suspension, quattro sport differential, 20-inch wheels, and dynamic steering. A driver assistant pack includes adaptive cruise, active lane assist (will turn the wheel to keep you in-lane), pre sense plus collision detection, and heads-up display. Front seat comfort pack adds 22-way power front seats, and V6 models get massage and ventilation function. A Luxury pack adds Valcona leather seats, an alcantara headliner, dual pane glass, and sport seats. Rear seat first class changes the rear row to two buckets with power adjustment. It ventilates the rear seats, adds massage function, a cooler, a power footrest, and lets the rear passenger adjust the front passenger seat. A rear seat comfort pack powers the rear seats, and adds ventilation and massage, but doesn't get the cooler or rear console.
The A8L W12 gets 20-inch alloys, a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, night vision, adaptive cruise, active lane assist, 18-way power adjustable front seats, heads-up display, dual pance glass, and ventilation, massage, and power adjustment for the back seats. The rear-seat first class option package is available.
The A8 is rated for 12.6 L/100 km city, 8.0 highway with the V6, and 12.9/8.0 with the V8. A8L is rated for 13.1 L/100 km city and 8.3 highway with the V8 or 17.0/10.7 with the W12.
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