In a world ever saturated with prestige SUVs, the arrival of a new executive barge has us happily bathing in limo-like nostalgia. Enter the refreshed Audi A8, A8L and S8, landing in Australian showrooms from this week.
The updated pinnacle of the Audi brand, and rival to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and new-generation BMW 7 Series, arrives with sharper styling, new innovative technologies and, inevitably, higher prices.
Audi has confirmed the pricing for the A8, A8L and S8 models
It’s a line-up for the combustion engine traditionalists, without a plug-hybrid or electric version to be seen, despite a PHEV A8 being available in other markets.
The Audi A8 50 TDI quattro is priced from $202,700 (up around $9000); the long-wheelbase A8L 50 TDI quattro is $222,700 (up around $14,000) and belting petrol V8 S8 is now $273,400 (up around $13,500).
What do the A8 and S8 include?
Obviously, Audis range of 8s are comprehensively loaded, leading the luxury brand to modestly dub the vehicles ‘technological masterpieces’. Classic German understatement.
Though, judging by pictures of the palatial cabins, the claim of ‘benchmark luxury and finish’ may be hard to dispute.
At 5.32 meters long, the long wheelbase A8 is a big car
The A8 is quite the juggernaut at 5.19m long, stretching to 5.32m the A8L. The body’s constructed of 58 per cent lightweight aluminium parts, while use of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer and magnesium strut-tower bars all help keep kilos down.
That said, the A8’s unladen weight is a chunky 2095kg, while the A8L is 2120kg and the S8 is a comparatively lardy 2295kg.
Exterior design has been subtly reworked with larger singleframe grille, new Digital Matrix LED lighting and ‘Y’ design 10-spoke 20-inch alloys – the S8’s standard fit anthracite black 21s are optional on the A8s for an extra $3100.
The A8 and S8 get a panoramic tinted glass sunroof with electric sunshade, while the A8L enjoys a two-section panoramic version.
Audi has given the A8 a slightly massaged exterior
If lighting’s your bag, the A8’s state-of-the-art headlights feature digital micromirror device (DMD) technology, bringing 1.3 million micromirrors that break down the lights into tiny pixels.
They “allow the light to be controlled with unparalleled precision… emitting a carper of light,” Audi says. Good luck asking for a replacement globe at your local Supercheap…
Digital OLED lights are found out back, which start flashing a warning to other vehicles (presumably salespeople also driving Audis) if they get within two metres of the rear.
Owners can also choose between two rear light signatures, or when ‘dynamic’ drive mode is selected, rear lights take on a sporty signature.
The increased length of the A8L pays off in the backseat
What’s inside the cabin?
Cabin features run as long as your arm, so here are the highlights. Perforated Valcona leather, multi-way adjustable power seats, heated front seats and armrests plus a massage function for the front row.
The A8L can be optioned with a heated and massaging footrest behind the front passenger with 18 pneumatic cushions in the seat to massage the passenger’s body, on top of other luxuries such as heating and ventilation.
Up front, Audi has fitted a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a head-up display and a 10.1-inch multimedia screen complimented by an additional 8.6-inch display that deals with vehicle control functions such as air conditioning.
As standard, buyers are offered a 730-watt, 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, though a more advanced 1920-watt, 23-speaker system from the same brand is also available.
The S8 uses the same V8 making an impressive 420kW/800Nm
Power and efficiency
The A8 and A8L use Audi’s 3.0 TDI diesel with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. It delivers 210kW and thumping 600Nm of torque, the latter from 1750rpm.
Gearbox is an eight-speed Tiptronic, and thanks to the quattro all-wheel-drive, allows the 100km/h sprint to be covered in just 5.9 seconds. Fuel economy is an impressive 6.6L/100km the A8 and 6.7L/100km the heavier A8L.
The 4.0-litre twin-turbo-petrol V8 makes a return to the S8 with carryover if still substantial 420kW/800Nm outputs, which feed through the rear-biased AWD system and helps liberate its 0-100km/h performance of 3.8 seconds. Efficiency is claimed to be 10.5L/100km.
The S8 comes standard with adaptive air suspension
Comfort and handling
All Audi A8 models arrive standard with adaptive air suspension, continuously variable adaptive damping, self-locking centre differential and progressive steering.
The A8L and S8 adds Audi’s dynamic steering package as standard, bringing all-wheel steering and dynamic steering with variable ratio. It’s optional on the A8 for $4600.
Additional reporting by Tom Place
Audi A8 2023: prices in Australia
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
- A8: $202,700
- A8L: $222,700
- S8: $273,400
