AUDI A8 L Review

We never could really pronounce the world “spoiled” in the back of the standard Audi A8. Just like in the case of the BMW 7 Series, we’ve always felt the need for a bit of extra space in order to say that. It’s not like we didn’t find proper accommodation in the back of the Audi A8, but the space didn’t seem enough to go beyond meeting to the physical requirements.

Well, the Audi A8 L is here to solve this issue Once you’re conquered by the extra space, you’ll have time to notice how all the details of the car blend in to support you. There’s a well-calculated silence, with the soundproofing allowing just a bit of the outer world to sneak inside the cabin.

There’s a pleasant ambient lighting that surrounds you and, if you are in the rear, you get a set of typical long wheelbase elements, such as the foot rests and the roof liner-mounted mirrors.

The reclining rear seat mounted behind the front passenger’s one features ten air compartments that live to serve you via four massaging programs. The leather covering the seats, as well as that on the other ones, is tanned using plant extracts so that it can “breath” better. If you insist, Audi will even give you a loose cushion. We were thinking about a pillow fight, but it’s probably best to stick to the standard uses.

AAlas, when exploring the limits of the Audi A8 L’s comfort, you will find some areas that leave you wanting more. First and foremost there’s the ride, which is good, but doesn’t give you that feeling of levitation we’re all lusting for in such a vehicle. For example, whenever you encounter a more serious problem in the road surface, the air suspension allows a small shock to be sent throughout the car.

It’s the same with the materials. In the standard A8, the trim and the leather provide a pleasant experience, but they’re not memorable. In the A8 Long, these elements stay the same, but the problem becomes deeper, since the expectations are higher.

Body and Chassis

Carmakers seem to have a thing for the 200 LBS (90 KG) value when it comes to special editions of their vehicles. This is the average value a track-inspired edition of a supercar usually shaves and this is also the amount that separated the A8 L from the A8.

To put it another way, the 5.11 inches (130 mm) wheelbase premium of the Audi A8 Long bring the weight to 4,564 LBS (2,070 KG). We'll remind you that this is mostly aluminum work, as the Audi Space Frame construction includes cast elements, extruded parts, as well as sheet aluminum. The integral B pillars are made from ultra-high strength steel though, but Audi still claims that its ASF construction makes the car 40 percent lighter compared to an all-steel version of it.

Powertrain

Depending on which side of the pond you're asking from, the 2,995 cc supercharged V6 on the A8 L offers a different outputs. For Americans, the unit releases 333 HP at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) at 2,900 rpm.

European drivers are treated with 290 HP between 2,850 and 6,500 rpm, as well as with 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) between 2,500 and 4,850 rpm.

The powerplant prides itself with a compressor that provides a 0.8 bar pressure, as well as with FSI direct injection.

Both incarnations of the engine use an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox. Further down the power line, we find a quattro AWD system that sends 60 percent of the power to the rear in normal driving situations. Torque vectoring is also part of the deal.

However, the front axle can receive up to 60 percent of the power, while the figure climbs to 80 percent in the case of the rear axle. As an option, you can choose a sport differential that offers active power distribution for the rear wheels.

Road Connection

The Audi A8 L gets aluminum suspension arm, as well as an adaptive air suspension with settings integrated into Audi’s drive select system. The latter allows the driver to choose between four modes: Comfort, Sport, Auto and Custom. These control the powertrain, suspension, the servotronic steering, as well as the belt tensioners.


Stopping Power

The Audi A8 L keeps the braking hardware of the standard A8. This means that we get all-round ventilated discs, with the front axle using 14-inch discs and the rear one featuring 13-inch rotors.

The depth of the sound is one of the best we’ve ever experienced - we’ve come all the way to a vantage point near the city to listen to this album and it was worth it. Then again, considering Audi’s experience with Bang & Olufsen, we wouldn’t have expected things to be any different.

The lead singer is pitching via 19 speakers that could allow insane people to use the full 1,400 Watts of power they’re capable of.

The hot shots in the back can also enjoy a Rear Seat Entertainment system that provides a pair of 10.2-inch screens. And while they’re relaxing with a motion picture, those up front will be glad to know that there’s an UTMS module somewhere around the car. The fast data link means that the navigation now benefits from Google Earth images and info.

And since Google’s services spread far beyond their maps, you can also use your smartphone to gather updated info on weather or navigation POIs.

Of course, there are also unpleasant sides to configuring an Audi A8 L. The one that’s most difficult to believe is that the full-LED headlights are optional. We understand such a status when talking about the dual-panel acoustic glass, but Audi’s complete signature lights should come in standard on such a car.

Moving to the tech area, our attention is caught by the sporty side of the deal, which includes the dynamic steering, sports rear diff and sport air suspension. While the last doesn’t bring a compromise, the first two are must-have items for those who also want to sit behind the wheel.

Throw in an Alcantara headliner while you’re at it and you’re done.

Rear passenger-focused sedans usually lose a few points in the safety area due to the fact that they tend to disconnect their driver from the road. This is not the case with the Audi A8 L though. You're given just enough feedback to be fully aware of what your vehicle is doing at all times.

As for the car itself, the heftier distance between the front and the rear axle doesn't make too much of a difference when it comes to response. The car still follows your instructions with ease, albeit up to a certain point, one that you shouldn't move past in such a vehicle anyway.

Zooming in on the Audi A8, we find the kind of active safety systems one would expect from such a car, but the vehicle surprises us with some special features.

Let's say that you're on a highway, with the adaptive cruise control set to follow the car in front of you. If the other driver slows down and puts on the right turn signal willing to exit, you may be surprised by the fact that your A8 will recognize the move. The car will act according to the custom scenario instead of following the vehicle ahead closely.

This is possible thanks to the fact that the adaptive cruise control works with the navigation system, so it knows the whereabouts of the A8 at any given time.

Another thing to brag about is the infrared technology, which can scan the road ahead for about 980 feet (300 meters). This doesn't just show you what's going on, but also highlights people and animals that are detected to be performing dangerous maneuvers.

The Audi A8 works on the safety front up to the very last moment - the car can brake when it senses an imminent collision. Initially, it applies a limited braking pressure, but if the driver fails to react is uses full force, being capable of cutting around 28.5 mph (40 km/h) of your speed.

This Audi takes action even when it senses that it's about to be hit from the rear, moving the seats in a position that offers the best protection.

As for the official safety ratings, Audi's range has been tested up to the A6, so there's no data for the A8.

Audi’s A8, be it standard or Long, plays the part of brand ambassador rather well. Spend a bit of time driving it and you’ll understand what the entire company is all about. You’ll get a perfect picture of Audi’s assets, as well as one of its dark sides. Basically, a drive in the A8 is like a report from a private eye.

The part we liked the most about the Audi A8 L we drove is that in its quest to serve its master in the back, the car is always ready to listen to his driver. The Long version doesn’t bring a trade-off, as you don’t get charged too much for the extra comfort it provides.

The car feels sharp in a way that others in its class can’t understand and when driven in an elegant or mildly fast manner it will reward you with a cooperant attitude.

Alas, this comes at the expense of the ultimate comfort. Don’t get us wrong, the Audi A8 L provides coziness, but it just doesn’t make you feel spoiled.

There are a few limits to the air suspension’s ability to tackle large road caprices and this is not all. The overall experience itself doesn’t seem to bring an otherworldly flavor, rather offering a good game played by the mainstream rules. Since this is the purpose of a long wheelbase car, we'll label this as the worst part of the car.

There’s plenty of technology all around you though and that’s an excellent reason to smile. From the pleasure of having Bang & Olufsen hardware entertaining you, to the reassuring feeling of being endorsed by Audi’s Pre Sense safety system, all of these elements matter.

The new 3.0 TFSI V6 we drove makes all the sense in the world. Not only is it a good replacement for the 4.2-liter V8, but is all the engine you’ll ever need, unless, of course, you want to indulge yourself in sporting pleasures.

The 2013 Audi A8 L 3.0 TFSI we drove starts at $78,800. The figure can be translated into a $3,700 increase over the price of the standard wheelbase A8, or a $6,500 drop compared to the price of the replaced 4.2-liter V8. In Europe, you’ll have to pay at least EUR81,700 (including 19% VAT) for the car.