Audi A8 Review (2014)
Whats New For 2014
New Cars Reviews - For 2014, a diesel v6 joins the
a8s engine lineup. Additionally, bound choice packages are reshuffled and
renamed, and all audi a8s currently feature a customary keyless ignition and
power-operated trunk lid.
Introduction
Audi has usually trailed its
teutonic rivals within the luxury-car sales race. But, clearly as the 2014 audi
a8 illustrates, this sales ranking shouldn't be construed currently being a
reflection inside the relative quality as to the manufacturers merchandise.
With the use of a beautiful cabin and handling thats distinctly and gloriously
german, the a8 is, from roof out to rubber, a category act that succeeds at
elevating the driving experience within the giant luxury sedan category.
Audi tweaked the formula last
year by revamping its engine lineup for your own full-size a8. For your own 1st
time, base models were powered by a v6, which switch has proven that should be
quite satisfying issued from a performance and efficiency standpoint. A brand
new turbocharged v8 conjointly debuted currently being a midlevel alternative.
Currently for 2014 the engine lineup sees another amendment, in the addition
the most 3. 0-liter v6 diesel engine. Performance ought to be quite
satisfactory, as audi claims a 0-60 mph time of 6. 4 seconds beside fuel
economy thats possibly the most frugal within the high-end luxury sedan segment
: 24 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined.
Inside and while not, the a8
embodies deluxe sophistication. The materials in its cabin are top-rate, and
proof of superior craftsmanship abounds. Typical as to the giant luxury sedan
category, there will be 2 wheelbases on the market, in the longer l model
providing additional rear legroom. You'll add more decadence onto the rear seat
with the use of a form of choices, as well as massaging rear seats or an
extendable footrest in w12 models. Alternative attracts onto the a8 embody
customary all-wheel drive and an intensive collection of luxury and
technology-oriented features.
In fact, much of these are traits
which are shared from the a8s rivals, and selecting only one of such wonderful
luxury sedans is sure that should be a challenge. Buyers with the use of a yen
obtain a sportier driving experience can need to envision out the 2014 porsche
panamera. If full-on luxury is additional your issue, contemplate the
sumptuous, all-new 2014 mercedes-benz s-class. Theres conjointly the jaguar xj
if you really realize the a8s styling a trifle too anonymous, beside the bmw 7
series, a perennial favorite even if its currently among the older models
during this category. Still, despite fierce competition, the a8 is a very good
alternative for buyers who appreciate understated opulence as well as a
balanced approach out to luxury and performance.
Body Designs, Trim Levels, And Options
The 2014 audi a8 quattro is an
all-wheel-drive luxury sedan that will be offered in regular- and
long-wheelbase versions, the latter identified by an l badge and bestowed with
5 additional inches of rear legroom. Trim levels embody 3. 0t, l 3. 0t, l 3.
Zero tdi, 4. 0t, l 4. 0t and l w12. Every designation corresponds onto the
wheelbase and engine type. The high-performance audi s8 is reviewed separately.
Customary features for your own base
3. 0t embody 19-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, led running lights, a
sunroof, an adaptive air suspension, dual-zone automatic climate management,
auto-dimming and power-folding mirrors, heated 12-way adjustable front seats
with driver memory, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, aluminum and
wood interior trim, a power rear sunshade, a power-operated trunk lid and
soft-close doors. Electronic features within the cabin embody a keyless
ignition, a navigation system, a rearview camera, audis mmi electronics
interface with voice management, bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, as
well as a bose surround-sound system with the use of a cd player and an ipod
interface. Conjointly included is audi connect ( enhanced web-based navigation,
data and wifi access ).
Though the a8 3. 0t is well
equipped, there will be variety of on the market choices. In the warm weather
package you get four-zone climate management beside power rear side-window
sunshades. An extended leather package wraps the armrests, center console and
steering wheel airbag cap in leather.
Inside the long-wheelbase l 3. 0t
model, the warm weather package, extended leather package and piano-black
interior inlays are included as customary.
Out to either wheelbase, 3. 0t
buyers could elect to add the premium package, that includes 22-way
multicontour comfort front seats with ventilation and pneumatic massage, full
led headlights, a blind-spot warning system as well as a rear
collision-mitigation system. A cold weather package adds a heated steering
wheel, a ski bag for your own rear seat pass-through and heated rear seats. A
luxury package includes a faux-suede headliner, upgraded leather upholstery and
dual-pane glass. The rear seat comfort and package includes a five-passenger
configuration with separate power rear outboard seats with ventilation and
massage, and front passenger seat adjustment due to rear seat.
Obtain a sportier a8, the skills
and package applies a sport-tuned air suspension, adaptive steering as well as
a rear limited-slip differential. Finally, the driver assistance package
includes a top-view parking camera system ; adaptive cruise management ; a
lane-departure warning system ; the additional deluxe presense and version of
audis collision warning and braking system ; and automatic high-beam management.
Stand-alone choices embody a
panoramic sunroof, a solar sunroof ( powers a ventilation fan to stay the car
cool ), a premium bang & olufsen sound system, a night eyesight camera ( an
infrared camera out to detect animals and pedestrians up out to 1, 000 feet
away ) as well as a rear seat entertainment system ( with 2 10-inch
headrest-mounted screens ).
The 4. 0t model offers the same
customary equipment clearly as the 3. 0t model, save for your own addition of
active noise cancellation technology ( included out to compensate because of
its v8 engines cylinder deactivation system ), whereas the l tdi and l 4. 0t
are equipped much like the l 3. 0t. These models conjointly feature optional
equipment similar onto the 3. 0t models, other then are additionally offered
with an audi design choice package that adds full leather upholstery, dual-pane
glass, unique stitching and piping, an alcantara headliner and unique wood and
aluminum interior trim parts.
The prestige-level l w12 is
essentially a fully loaded, four-seat version of the long-wheelbase model that
is powered by a 12-cylinder engine. It includes all of the above-listed
features, except for adaptive cruise control (and the more advanced collision
avoidance system that comes with it), the solar sunroof, premium bang &
olufsen audio and the night vision camera -- all of which remain stand-alone
options. Also note that the 2014 audi a8 l w12 rolls on 20-inch wheels and
comes with standard adaptive steering. Optional is the executive rear seat
comfort package. It includes one rear relaxation seat with a powered footrest,
a 10-way power front passenger seat, a refrigerated cooler box and a 115-volt
power outlet.
There's also the w12 driver
assistance package, which includes adaptive cruise control, a lane-departure
warning system and a collision warning and braking system. Other option
packages for the w12 include the w12 sport package (sport suspension plus the
limited-slip differential) and the audi design selection package.
Powertrains And Performance
Powering the base model 2014 audi
a8 is a supercharged 3.0-liter v6 that produces 333 horsepower and 325
pound-feet of torque. All of this power is channeled through an eight-speed
automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. In edmunds testing, a
long-wheelbase l 3.0t with the optional sport plus package accelerated from
zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, which is quicker than every v6-powered
competitor and just off the pace of those packing v8s.
Also standard on the v6 is an
automatic stop-start feature that shuts the engine off when the car comes to a
stop. It helps to increase fuel economy, which is quite good for this class of
car at an epa-estimated 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 21 mpg in combined
driving for either wheelbase.
Newly added this year is a
3.0-liter diesel v6 engine rated at 240 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. According
to audi, this engine gets the a8 from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. At 24 mpg
city/36 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined, fuel economy with this engine is
exceptional, and the engine comes only with the long-wheelbase configuration.
The turbocharged 4.0-liter v8
produces 420 hp and 444 lb-ft of torque. Stop-start, an eight-speed
transmission and all-wheel drive are also standard. In edmunds testing, an a8 l
4.0t ran to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. The epa estimates the 4.0t should earn
17 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined, or nearly the same as the
supercharged v6. The l 4.0t is only slightly more thirsty at 16/26/19 mpg.
Audi a8s with the 6.3-liter w12
engine come only in long-wheelbase configuration. The 12-cylinder engine makes
500 hp and 463 lb-ft of torque. As with all a8s, an eight-speed automatic and
all-wheel drive are standard. Weighing in about 200 pounds more than the l
4.0t, the a8 l w12 will reach 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, according to audi. The epa
estimates fuel economy at 13/21/16 mpg.
Safety
Standard safety equipment for
every 2014 audi a8 includes antilock brakes, stability and traction control,
full-length side curtain airbags, front and rear seat side airbags and active
front headrests. A rearview camera is standard on most a8s, while the w12 gets
an enhanced camera array with a top-view display (optional on lesser models). A
blind-spot monitor and lane-departure warning system are offered in a couple of
available option packages. Also optional is presense plus, which uses the
adaptive cruise control system's radar to monitor traffic and alerts the driver
if a potential collision is detected, even applying the brakes (to a standstill
when vehicle speed is below 20 mph). A night vision camera is a stand-alone
option.
Interior Design And Special Features
As audi's flagship, the 2014 a8
represents the best that the company has to offer. Thanks to exquisite
materials combined with impeccable craftsmanship, the cabin is one of the
finest in any flagship luxury sedan.
As you'd expect, comfort is a
priority and the a8 delivers it in heaping portions. The upgraded seats found
in the premium package adjust in so many ways that audi needed to invent a more
advanced means of controlling them, and they ultimately ensure that drivers of
any size or shape will find an optimal position to motor away countless miles.
Rear seat comfort is also noteworthy, especially in the long-wheelbase versions
that provide an expansive 43 inches of rear legroom.
For technophiles, audi's multi
media interface provides a long list of functions through a crystal-clear
display. There's a bit of a learning curve to it, but with a little time,
control of numerous systems becomes second nature. The unique remote touchpad
(upon which you can "write" numbers and letters with your finger)
also doubles as a radio preset panel. It may seem like a superfluous novelty at
first, but it turns out to be as useful as it is cool.
If there's one complaint that
seems to come up more than others, it would be the a8's lack of trunk space. At
a paltry 13.2 cubic feet, cargo capacity is far below that of its competitors
and not nearly adequate to accommodate luggage for four adults.
Driving Impressions
Power from the audi a8's base v6
is plentiful, whether under acceleration or cruising down the highway. Passing
slower cars is effortless and the brakes are equally up to the task of bringing
the big sedan to a halt. The 4.0t power plant is even more impressive. While
earning nearly the same fuel economy as the supercharged v6, the turbo v8
delivers a tidal wave of effortless torque to the point that a v8-equipped a8
will go toe to toe with almost any muscle car in a drag race. We've yet to
drive the 2014 audi a8 with the new diesel v6, but we expect it to deliver
acceptable performance plus excellent fuel economy.
With its all-wheel drive,
well-tuned suspension and crisp steering response, the a8 handles like a
smaller, lighter sport sedan in either wheelbase configuration. Yet, over
broken pavement, the audi flagship delivers a compliant, composed ride fully in
keeping with its luxury sedan status. We also like its electronically
adjustable settings for the chassis and engine calibration, which provide a
much greater degree of driver customization than bmw's similar system.
All things considered, the 2014
audi a8 is a worthy competitor among world-class luxury sedans. While the gap
between these high-end sedans is narrow, the audi a8 distinguishes itself as a
bona fide driver's car.
