2020 Audi A8 L

The A8 L is the top of the line luxury saloon on offer from Audi. It has rather comfortable seats both in the front and the back. The sheer attention to detail to ensure luxury and comfort for all occupants in commendable. The A8 has been updated over all the years since it has been introduced in the '90s. It offers an extensive list of lavish features alongside a host of active safety features and advanced technology.

The Audi A8 L oozes style and luxury both inside and out. It offers an amazing experience that leaves the passengers in both rows thoroughly satisfied.

The A8 is now available only in the long base version with the L badge attached. The two trims offered here have essentially the same features with the exception being the engines. The 55 TFSI offers the V6 engine while the 60 TFSI offers the V8. The 60  TFSI does have some extra list of features on-board making it a better more powerful and luxurious trim available in the market.

Model	A8L
MSRP (55 TFSI Quattro)	$85,200
MSRP (60 TFSI Quattro)	$96,800
Key Features	12.3 Inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus
	Dual Centre (10.1” upper and 8.6” lower) Display Infotainment system
	Bang and Olufsen 3D Premium Sound system with 17 Speakers
	Rain-sensing windshield wipers and Full LED Headlights
	Acoustic Parking sensors with lane assist warning
	19” 15-spoke wheel rims
	Anti Theft Alarm with Engine Immobilizer and interior motion and tilt sensors
	Multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifts
	Ambient interior LED lighting
	Heated 18-way power comfort front seats, including 4-way power lumbar adjustment and memory
	Advanced 9-Airbag Protection System
	Dynamic All Wheel Drive

We Recommend

The clear decisive winner here is the 60 TFSI Quattro owing to its bigger and better engine and interior. This makes it a perfect car to own for anyone who prefers to be chauffeured around or loves take charge behind the steering wheel all the same.

The latest A8 L comes with a 3.0-liter TFSI turbocharged V6 engine that is bolstered by a 48-volt mild-hybrid starter system. The 3.0-liter V6 produces 335 hp and provides a torque of 325 lb-ft. The second engine option here is the 4.0-liter V8 also has a hybrid system which gives it a power of 453 hp with 487 lb-ft of torque. The V8 generates more power and is much more thrilling compared to the V6 trim.

Both the variants get the 8-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission as a standard. The transmission does feel slow and sluggish at times. Switch up the drive modes and the transmission does seem to come alive giving the best shifts to achieve better performance.

The A8L is somewhat special due to the electric motor present on board making it a hybrid. It comes with a 14kWh battery pack to enhance the motor and reduce emissions. This shows Audi's step towards making cars that are environment-friendly. It is also a step towards the all-electric movement that the automobile industry has been adopting over the years.

Models	Audi A8	BMW 7-Series	Lexus LS	Mercedes S-Class
MRSP	$ 85,200	$ 89,450	$ 78,670	$ 94,250
Engine	3.0L Turbocharged- V6	3.0L Inline 6-cylinder	3.5L- V6	3.0L- Bi-Turbo V6
Transmission	8-speed Tiptronic automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed 9G-Tronic
Horsepower(hp)	335 @ 5000 RPM	335 @ 5500 RPM	416 @ 6000 RPM	362 @ 5500 RPM
Torque (lb-ft)	369 @ 1370 RPM	330 @ 1500 RPM	442 @ 1600 RPM	369 @ 1800 RPM

The other cars on offer have an RWD drivetrain compared to the AWD Audi. This helps the A8 L have better control and maneuverability. The LS has the biggest engine here generating the most power and clearly stands the winner here. It is followed by the S-Class which takes second place on the podium. The power generated by Audi and Bimmer is similar, but the torque on the Audi is higher granting it the third spot.

Acceleration

The A8 L is one heavy car, which directly compromises the agility. The A8 has a linear acceleration which is decent enough. Due to the fussy transmission, the shifts are not capable of tapping the most out of the engine. 

It would be wrong to think that the car is slow, it isn't. But with some work on the transmission and some tuning on the engine, the car will be much more capable than it already is. 

Models	Audi A8	BMW 7-Series	Lexus LS	Mercedes S-Class
0-60 MPH	5.8 secs	4.8 secs	4.6 secs	5.4 secs
Quarter mile	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Engine	3.0L Turbocharged- V6	3.0L Inline 6-cylinder	3.5L- V6	3.0L- Bi-Turbo V6
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Due to the bigger engine and the huge amount of power generated, the LS is the fastest here. It is followed by the BMW even though it was the last in the previous engine performance comparison. The S-Class takes up the third spot here followed by the Audi at the end.

Braking

The A8 L deploys 14.8-inch disks on the front and 13.5-inch disk brakes on the rear. It has regenerative braking that saves power which can be used to operate the stop-start system. 

A8’s braking power matches its power output from the engine. With responsive brake pedals that have a firm feel, Audi inspires confidence in you to let that engine rev. 

Models	Audi A8	BMW 7-Series	Lexus LS	Mercedes S-Class
Brake Front(in)	Disc- 14.8	Disc- 14.7	Disc- 14	Disc- 15.4
Brake Rear(in)	Disc- 13.8	Disc- 14.5	Disc- 13.1	Disc- 14.2
60-0 performance	149 ft	N/A	113 ft	N/A
Curb weight (lbs)	4773	4381	4905	4542

The A8L houses a 4-channel ABS with EBD that can handle all the power sent through the drivetrain. The Merc has the biggest rotors here giving it much more credibility, it is also lighter than the Audi. The Bimmer, in comparison, stands the lightest with capable brake rotors as well. With available data, Lexus is the quickest to halt from 60-0 followed by the Audi.

Ride and Handling

The ride in the latest Audi A8 L with the best in class luxury equipment coupled with decent handling makes it a pleasurable drive. Owing to its long wheelbase the maneuverability does take a hit. Due to the AWD drive train and rear-wheel steering, the A8 is not as difficult to handle. While going through turns at speeds below 37 mph, the rear wheels turn 5 degrees in the opposite direction to ease the turn.

It has about 3.3 feet shorter turn radius compared to other vehicles with similar wheelbase. Although the electric steering wheel sometimes dampens the road feel a bit and feels kinda numb, it drives and maneuvers like a car that is much smaller.

This car is not expected to be a fuel-efficient machine, it is expected to provide the best possible luxury on wheels that money can buy. the A8 L is not a petrol pit either. It does offer decent MPG numbers for its size, weight, and performance.

Models	Audi A8	BMW 7-Series	Lexus LS	Mercedes S-Class
MPG (city)	19	20	18	15
MPG (highway)	27	28	27	24
MPG (combined)	22	23	21	18

The MPG figures from these Luxury Behemoths are somewhat similar. The Bimmer provides the most fuel-efficient numbers on paper. The Audi comes in second with a marginally lesser number followed by the Lexus. 

The doors of the Audi open to a world of pure excellence and luxury. The eyes are automatically drawn to the wonderful dashboard which runs with wood patina makes the interior very premium.

The leather and all other materials used in the cabin are the most premium materials found on the crust of this planet. It is certainly a soothing sight to ponder at. When it comes to comfort, very few can match what the Audi offers.

The front seats of this car have standard heating support and can be switched between with 22-way adjustment, massage and ventilation functions.

Audi offers an optional 4 seat setup in which the conventional rear seats are replaced by a pair of power-adjustable rear seats with heating, ventilation, and massage as well as a heated foot-massage function and a pair of individual entertainment tablets. This all is done at the expense of the reduction of adjustment options for the front seat.

Models	Audi A8	BMW 7-Series	Lexus LS	Mercedes S-Class
Seating Capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (head/ shoulder/leg)(inch)	38.3/59.1/41.5	39.9/59.2/41.4	37.3/58.8/41	37.7/57/41.4
Rear (head/ shoulder/leg)(inch)	38.5/57.6/44.3	38.9/57.7/44.4	37.3/56.4/38.9	37.4/59.1/34.1

The 7-series has the most luxurious cabin with ample space for both front and rear occupants. The Audi stands a close second in the seating space. While the LS and S-Class seem to have equivalent seating space, the S-Class offers better legroom in the front while the LS offers better legroom in the rear.

Interior Features

The Luxury in the Audi is omnipresent and the plethora of features that make this possible are

• Navigation with natural voice control
• Heated 18-way power comfort front seats, including 4-way power lumbar adjustment 
• Active Climate control shutters
• Audi Connect CARE assistance and security service
• Amazon Alexa Integration
• Keyless entry, start and stop with handsfree trunk release
• Rain/Light sensing automatic windshield wipers and Full LED headlamps
• Cruise control with coast, resume and accelerate features
• Lane Departure warning 
• Full LED taillamps with dynamic indicators
• Auto-Dimming interior rearview mirror with digital compass

Infotainment System 

The A8L comes with a dual touchscreen infotainment system as standard. It is in contrast with the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display. The 10.1-inch display touchscreen houses the upper portion while there is an 8.3-inch touchscreen on the lower half. A majority of the vehicle functions are controlled via the infotainment. The vehicle-related information is also available in this section. 

Infotainment Features

The broad features of the system are:

• MMI Radio Plus
• HD Radio technology
• Sirius XM Subscription
• Bluetooth with Streaming audio compatibility
• Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System with 17 speakers, 16-channel amplifier and 730 watts
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Audi connect PRIME and Audi connect PLUS

Cargo Capacity

The A8 L is a long vehicle no doubt but the interior has been given more attention to. The storage is not as much as one would expect from a vehicle of this length. None the less it's good enough to store a couple of large suitcases and a duffle bag.

Models	Audi A8	BMW 7-Series	Lexus LS	Mercedes S-Class
Cargo space (cubic feet)	13.0	18.2	17.0	18.7

The S-Class has the best cargo storage followed by the 7-series shortly. The LS steps in at third spot here with the Audi offering the least cargo storage among all the vehicles in the line-up.

The Audi A8 L strikes as a lengthy car right from the first sight. As Audi’s flagship sedan, it holds a distinctive and stately persona in its design. It has a sleek design with definitive lives running across.

The massive front grille adds to the aggressive flare which is accentuated by the fog lamps. This makes up for the front of the car. The DRL LEDs look fantastic and give the A8 a much more premium and executive look.

The front features the brand’s signature Singleframe Grille design and takes up the majority of the look. Drawing inspiration from the grille design, the design of the fog lamps follow suit. 

The rear gets the new OLED that animates light whenever the vehicle is locked or unlocked. It also gets the new Audi flowing turn signal animation which looks very cool. It has the perfect balance of luxury and modern styling all put in a single package.

Models	Audi A8	BMW 7-Series	Lexus LS	Mercedes S-Class
Curb weight (lbs)	4773	4381	4905	4542
Length (in)	208.7	207.4	206.1	206.9
Width (in)	76.6	74.9	74.8	83.9
Height (in)	58.5	58.2	57.9	58.9
Ground clearance (in)	4.8	5.3	N/A	N/A
Wheelbase (in)	123.1	126.4	123	124.6

The Audi is the longest car in the list followed closely by the Bimmer. The LS stands the shortest here with the highest curb weight. The Audi stands second in terms of weight while the Bimmer stands the last here. The Merc has the widest body out of all the cars on the list.

Exterior Features

The features on the A8 that make it stand out from the rest and add the essential character to it are

• Singleframe grille
• Full LED headlights
• LED taillights with dynamic indicators
• Heat-insulated front windshield
• Power-adjustable, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated exterior side mirrors with memory
• Power soft-closing doors
• Headlight washer system
• Panoramic Sunroof
• 19" 15-spoke design wheels with 255/45 all-season tires

Like most companies’ top-end models, the Audi A8 doesn’t go through crash tests conducted by the Insurance for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Since these are the most expensive pieces of art. These cars are loaded with a tonne of safety features. Audi also offers a few automation in the safety features to assist the driver and avoid collisions.

Also, for people who want more safety, the manufacturer offers a Security version for the A8 L which has ballistic coverage and other military-grade protection methods to keep you safe.

The car comes with the following safety features:

• Front and Rear acoustic sensors
• Scanning system for the road ahead and adjust suspension system (optional)
• Advanced dual-stage 9-Airbags
• Power central locking system with safety unlock feature if airbags deploy
• Vehicle Dynamic Control
• Anti-Lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with secondary collision brake assist and traction control (ASR)
• Tire pressure monitoring
• Anti-Theft engine Immobilizer with interior motion and tilt sensor
• Rearview Camera
• 3-point safety belts with two way tensioner
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)

Audi A8 L vs BMW 7-Series

The BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8 share a lot of similarities. They have marginally the same starting prices, and also have equally potent engine choices. Even the quality of the cabin is equally impressive. The BMW has a larger trunk and a quicker acceleration and is sheer fun to drive.

 It has better fuel efficiency as well. So technically the Bimmer has the Audi beat in every segment. The Bimmer priced slightly higher is a better pick at a slightly higher cost. 

Audi A8 L vs Lexus LS

The Japanese LS has a lot of work to do in terms of attaining the level of Luxury on the German. Audi has better tech and comfort which seems to be outdated in the Lexus. The Lexus does have the more power-generating engine but most people that purchase these luxury cars have a chauffeur to drive them around. 

Creature comfort and features are what attract buyers in this segment. The A8 L is a clear winner here even though it might be a little more expensive.

Audi A8 L vs Mercedes S-Class

The S-Class has been the epitome of luxury on offer by Mercedes. It has the right amount of power and luxury with the best in class interior. The S-Class is the most iconic car in terms of luxury. But the A8L gives the German a tough competition. Costing lesser by a huge margin the A8 offers performance and luxury at par with the Merc.

The A8 has a simpler infotainment system and offers enough features to attract a smart buyer looking to get luxury while taking it easy on the pockets.  

The A8 is an incredibly beautiful car with stand out design and excellent road presence. The interiors are luxurious and have a long list of features to ensure the comfort of the occupants. Audi does need to concentrate on improving the performance, handling and autonomous control of the car. Looking past these few minor issues the A8 makes a wonderful car to be driven around in or drive around in whichever suits. 

 

---