The fourth generation of Audi A8 benefits from an update with some small changes concerning aesthetics and equipment. We took the wheel of the 462 hp plug-in hybrid version, which will account for the vast majority of sales.
Car tested: Audi A8 60 TFSI e Avus quattro tiptronic 8
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Times are tough for sedans, including German limousines, especially when they run on unleaded or diesel fuel. Of course, the increasingly fierce competition from SUVs has something to do with it. At Audi, the A8 sold only 75 copies on our market in 2021, while the Q7 and Q8, admittedly a little less luxurious and expensive, sold significantly better. While the flagship will be replaced shortly (certainly in 2024), the Grand Sphere concept leaves almost no doubt: the successor should be fully electric, like the competitor Mercedes EQS. While waiting for this deadline, Audi is offering an update to its fourth A8 of the name so that this latest thermal limousine can end its career with dignity.
The A8 can still be chosen in the long version, available only as a plug-in hybrid, with a wheelbase extended by 13 cm, for a total of 5.32 m.
Aesthetically, the changes are quite discreet. We mainly notice the radiator grille sporting a new pattern and front optics with a redesigned outline. Although it remains available in 50 TDI diesel and sporty S8 versions, the limousine with the rings owes its salvation on our market to its 60 TFSI e plug-in hybrid version. Still based on the V6 3.0 gasoline, it gains 13 hp to display a total of 462 hp. She also has a battery whose net capacity is increased to 14.4 kWh. This version, which has already achieved 70% of sales in 2021, should see its share grow further in 2022, in particular due to the increase in penalties for thermal models.
Audi A8 2022 price
If the prices of the restyled A8 start at €99,000 in the 50 TDI version, our 60 TFSI e plug-in hybrid variant claims at least €116,500. Despite everything, the gap between the two models is greatly reduced, or even cancels out if we take into account the penalties affecting the diesel. Penalized from €8,671 to €15,506 depending on the equipment for the CO malus2the latter also receives a €3,700 weight penalty (2,170 kg counted for the weight in running order). None of that for the A8 Hybrid despite its generous power and high mass (2400 kg), while professional customers also benefit from the TVS exemption. The long version, available only in hybrid, claims for its part an additional 6,600 €.
If the endowment of the basic “A8” finish includes most of the equipment that one is entitled to expect on a car of this level of the range, such as the Virtual Cockpit, the navigation, the adaptive suspension or the system of parking assistance, however, it will be necessary to select the Avus superior livery to benefit from the head-up display or the haptic response control keys. But, whatever the finish chosen, the latest equipment generally requires going through the catalog of options, such as HD Matrix LED projectors with laser lighting (€3,540) or integral dynamic steering with rear-wheel steering (€2,230). Some options, however, appear really surprising for a car of this standing, such as the reversing camera billed at €560 on the diesel model with the basic finish. When you think that this equipment is fitted as standard on a Toyota Yaris, even at entry level at €18,650…
With its 14.4 kWh capacity lithium-ion battery, the A8 plug-in hybrid boasts an all-electric range of 58 km. Recharging from 20 to 80% on an AC terminal delivering 7.3 kW (maximum power accepted by the vehicle) requires 1 hour 10 minutes, but it is also possible to plug the car into a household socket for a total charge in 8 hours .
Driving
If one can imagine that a majority of A8 customers will prefer to let themselves be driven and enjoy the comfort of the rear seats, some will no doubt wish to take the wheel of their car. And we can understand them as the A8 remains dynamic for its category. The steering lacks a bit of feel with the Comfort drive mode, but the feeling improves when switching to Dynamic. We then discover a precise and surprisingly agile sedan in view of its 2,400 kg and 5.19 m long, even when the road becomes more tortuous.
The “Integral Dynamic Steering” option that fitted our model is of course no stranger to this, and we clearly feel the contribution of the four-wheel steering. Although the predictive active suspension (optional) is not available on the plug-in hybrid version, the comfort offered by the standard adaptive air suspension remains at a very good level. The excellent soundproofing also contributes to the impression of serenity which dominates aboard this limousine, even at high speeds on the highway.
Because the 462 hp offered by this rechargeable hybrid engine quickly give wings to the A8. It is also not necessary to solicit all the cavalry to obtain more than satisfactory accelerations (the 0 to 100 km/h is announced in 4.9 s). As long as you don’t put your foot down and stay in Automatic or Comfort modes, the transitions between electric and hybrid are almost imperceptible, and the V6 3.0 petrol knows how to be relatively discreet. This electrified mechanics then makes it possible to adopt a very smooth and fluid ride without ever having the impression of lacking power.
This hybrid system is also highly effective in terms of efficiency. Indeed, starting with the battery fully charged, we obtained an average consumption of 5.1 l/100 km at the end of a course of 98 km. Rather reasonable for a car of this size and this power level. Remember, moreover, that we mainly took national roads, where we took care to test each of the driving modes, then ended with an unlimited stretch of German motorway, on which we allowed ourselves to “cruise” until over 150 km/h. Thus, by adopting a smooth ride, reaching the 50 km mark in all-electric seems perfectly possible.
On board
Competetion
Naturally, the main competitors of this A8 are to be found among rivals Mercedes and BMW. The S-Class, the true standard meter of the category, was renewed last year. Its S 580 e plug-in hybrid version, which is about to hit the market, offers a little more power than our A8 (510 hp) and promises greater all-electric range (over 100 km), but it is also more expensive (from €132,750).
For its part, the sixth Series 7 of the name, which appeared in 2015, is at the end of its career and is awaiting succession. It remains available in a 745e rechargeable hybrid version which is more accessible than its two electrified rivals (from €108,950) but less powerful (394 hp). Although its sales are anecdotal in France, we can also mention the Lexus LS, however only available in a full hybrid version of 359 hp. Billed from €102,990, the latter is affected by a penalty ranging from €6,724 to €31,063 depending on the equipment.
Discover the results of the test, the technical sheet and the options on the following page.
