By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos Audi USA
For 2017 the Audi A8 offers excellent comfort, the highest quality workmanship, stringent lightweight design and a broad range of high-end technologies makes the Audi A8 the flagship of the Audi model range.
Exterior
The exterior design of the Audi A8 is sporty, flowing and highly expressive. The Audi A8 L is 5.1 in longer than the standard version in both wheelbase and overall length. As an option, Audi can supply the headlights in innovative Matrix LED technology. Each headlight unit has 25 small, individual LEDs which generate the high-beam light; they can be individually switched on or off and can be dimmed as necessary.
One great strength of the big sedan is its lightweight design. The Audi A8 3.0 TDI quattro with the normal wheelbase has a curb weight of just, 4,144.7 lb. The body with its Audi Space Frame design is made almost entirely of aluminum, weighing in at just 509.3 lb, which is around 40 percent lighter than a comparable steel body.
Interior
Elegant lines and generous interior space stand out inside the Audi flagship. Audi offers numerous options for the front seats, including five modes of ventilation and massage. Two individual power-adjustable rear seats are available in the A8 and the A8 L. The top-of-the-line equipment in the sedan with the long wheelbase is the relaxation seat with a power fold-out footrest. Many other luxury features are available to choose from.
All interior parts were selected with the utmost care and exhibit uncompromisingly precise workmanship. Each and every detail expresses the hand-crafted character of the luxury sedan. Despite its many functionalities, the operating concept is a model of intuitive design. Audi can also install an optional head-up display.
Equipment
In the MMI navigation plus system, the MMI user interface with its large rotary/push-button control adds MMI touch. The Audi connect technology module with car phone connects the large sedan to the internet.
Components such as the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System and rear seat entertainment round out the infotainment range, driving is even more impressive with the optional assistance systems. The most important systems are adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function, the Audi pre-sense basic safety system, Audi side assist, Audi active lane assist, park assist and night vision assistant.
Performance
Under the hood the 3.0L TFSI V6 engine exhibit impressive power, smooth running and efficiency. The engine delivers a mighty 325 lb – ft of torque to the crankshaft and a combined fuel consumption 22 MGP.
The engine is equipped with an eight-speed tiptronic that delivers fast and smooth gear shifts. The electronically controlled automatic transmission is paired with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Audi can add the sport differential as an option.
The sedan owes its sporty character in large part to the chassis. The standard Audi drive select system also incorporates the adaptive air suspension. Audi also offers the air suspension with sport tuning and dynamic steering as options.
Summary
Embodied with superior design and progressive advancements in engineering, technology, and performance, the Audi A8 continues to lead the way for Audi as its flagship vehicle. The 2017 Audi A8 L 3.0T quattro S tronic starts at $82,500.00 the one I drove included, the Executive Package ($6,900.00), Luxury Package ($2,800.00), Rear Seat Comfort Package ($2,500.00), and the Driver Assistant Package ($2,250.00), and it came in at $97,900.00 including destination charge.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
