MOTORING – THE NEW AUDI A8
IT’S A PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCE!
The A8, Audi’s flagship saloon, certainly makes its presence known on the road with a wide stance, striking LED lights and a statuesque silhouette; inside simply sink into pure luxury where wireless phone charging and luxurious leather seats are just the start of the thoughtful interior, the ultimate in comfort for hours of driving.
A8 L (long-wheelbase) which is longer still, at 5,302mm! Intelligent technologies ensure that it doesn’t feel like a bus when you’re parking and its larger dimensions are only really noticeable in terms of the added interior environment.
It delivers an incredibly comfortable drive thanks to the adaptive air suspension and the engine is eerily silent. Thank goodness for the colour head-up display to keep a check on my speed, as 70mph only feels like 20mph in this car – and sounds like it too!
The A8 boasts two touchscreens; the top one is 10.1 inches and does everything, whilst the smaller one underneath is reserved for the climate controls (although it doubles as a keyboard/trackpad when you’re entering destinations into the sat nav). I found the system really easy to navigate and particularly liked the hepatic function which required a firmer push (think Force Touch on an iPhone) and ‘click’.
The Audi A8 dates back to 1994 when it replaced the Audi V8 as Ingolstadt’s flagship limousine. At the time it was Audi’s most luxurious vehicle to date featuring: dual-zone climate control; an LED driver information display; double-glazed, heat-reflective, noise-reducing windows; and Audi’s Space Frame aluminium construction. Fast forward 24 years and it’s still stealing headlines.
The fourth-generation Audi A8 builds on its incredible history and manages to usher in yet another new era for the big saloon, as one of the world’s first production cars to be developed with autonomous driving in mind. Plus, according to Audi, this fourth-generation A8 is their most technically advanced model, brimming with intelligent technologies that keep you connected, safe and in control. Audi’s claim that the A8 is the new future of driving is a realistic claim in my view.
Rivalling the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series, along with the Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS, Maserati Quattro Porte and Range Rover, prices start from around £70,000, but there’s an extensive options list to choose from, as you would expect from Audi.
More powerful, more economical and bigger than the previous model, with the standard car 37mm longer than before (now 5,172mm), with 6mm added to the wheelbase, my test car was the
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As comfortable as the front seats are, this car is a limo after all and really comes into its own when carrying passengers, who are well and truly cosseted. Rear-seat passengers enjoy heated seats, four- zone climate control, two additional USB ports, electric sunblinds, comfort rear headrests and the ability to control various functions via a removable tablet, which really does deliver a limo-like experience – all that was missing was my chauffeur’s cap…honestly!
This is a car built for comfort and luxury. A pleasure to drive and a pleasure to be driven around in, the A8 saloon builds on an incredible track record, whilst setting new standards. Audi, it would seem, have done it again!
To book your own personal test drive contact Listers Audi: 0121 746 5500 Birmingham | 024 7667 5675 Coventry | 01789 414 477 Stratford | 01905 421 000 Worcester |
www.listers.co.uk/audi
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