The facelifted Audi A8 has been revealed. This refreshed grand saloon comes with more powerful engines, new assistance systems and innovative new LED technology for the headlights.
The overall design of the updated Audi A8 hasn’t been tinkered with too much. Main changes include a revised front bumper, front grille and sculpted bonnet. The main exterior changes are the new headlamps. The new Matrix LED lights are available as optional extras. At the back there are flatter taillamps and a new-look bumper.
The new headlights incorporate indicator lamps that feature LEDs that light up sequentially in the turning direction. Audi explains its facelifted A8 headlight technology: “Each headlight contains 18 light-emitting diodes arranged in a strip that is subdivided into seven blocks. Each taillamp contains 24 LEDs in eight segments, which are used to dynamically indicate the turning direction. During flashing, the blocks are sequentially activated at 20-millisecond intervals, from the inside outwards in the desired turning direction. After 150 milliseconds, all segments are bright; for another 250 milliseconds they illuminate with full intensity. Afterwards, the turn signals go dark before repeating the lighting sequence.”
Inside the A8 is luxurious with ventilated front seats that come with a massage function. There are various options available to make the A8/S8 even more upmarket. These include individual electrically-adjustable rear seats that can be paired with a leather wrapped centre console in the A8 L.
The dimensions of the regular A8 remain the same at 5 140 mm long, 1 950 mm wide, 1 460 mm high and a wheelbase of 2 990 mm. The A8 L, however, is 13 centimetres longer and wider. Both models come with a new boot layout that Audi claims makes for easier loading.
Internationally, there are two petrol and two diesel engines on offer. These are the supercharged 3,0T FSI with 228 kW, the V8 twin-turbo 4,0T FSI with 320 kW, the 3,0 TDI clean diesel with 190 kW and the 4,2 TDI diesel with 283 kW and 850 N.m.
The 3,0 TDI diesel units are said to be the most efficient with a consumption figure of 5,9 litres/100 km and a CO2 emissions figure of 155 g/km.
For those wanting more luxury, there’s the top-of-the-range A8 L W12 Quattro. The 6,3-litre petrol engine under the bonnet produces 368 kW and consumes 11,7 litres/100 km of fuel.
Those in want of more power can opt for the 380 kW S8. This Quattro all-wheel-drive car can reach 100 km/h from standstill in 4,2 seconds.
Rounding off the range is the A8 Hybrid. This model makes use of a 2,0T FSI and electric motor to produce a combined output 180 kW and 480 N.m of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via Audi’s Tiptronic transmission. Audi claims that this variant consumes 6,3 litres/100 km of fuel.
Audi has equipped its A8 with the Audi Drive Select system, which varies the function of various technology modules, as standard. It also controls the adaptive air suspension with adaptive damping.
As expected, there is a range of assistance systems available as options. The adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function is coupled with an expanded version of the standard Audi pre sense basic safety system. There are also new features such as active lane assist, which makes slight steering adjustments when necessary, and the park assist system with 360 degree display, which handles steering when parking. The new head-up display projects important data in the driver’s field of vision on the windshield, while the night vision assistant can recognise larger animals in addition to pedestrians.
