The flagship of the Audi range, the A8, is taking advantage of the end of the year to get a makeover. The limousine, rival of the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class, is also technologically updated. While waiting for its arrival on French roads in 2022, L’argus details the few novelties.
In 1994, Audi entered the limousine segment with the A8. Four generations later, the model is still in the catalog… But not for very long! From 2023, the flagship will give way to a 100% electric equivalent prefigured by the Large Sphere concept. Until the newcomer pushes her to (forced) retirement, the A8 – launched in 2017 – gets a final restyling and take the opportunity to upgrade its equipment. Let’s start with the most visible.
TO HAVE. Audi A8. A threatened species. Back on a saga.
A meaner look
Audi offers its A8 a new, wider grille, characterized by larger faceted elements from the bottom up. The shields have been redesigned with a new design of the side air intakes. The German manufacturer has also revised the design of the headlights, with a new one unhooked on the lower edge. The light signature has been redesigned in the process. The front optics take advantage of matrix technology, as on the e-tron Sportback.
The rear lights inherit digital OLED technology as standard, with customizable interior block design (2 on the A8, 3 on the S8). If a vehicle approaches within two meters, the lighting is activated. The light strip which connects the optics to each other benefits from a little coquetry (small horizontal lines). The bumper still receives chrome inserts and four tailpipes. In profile, the roof dome appears more flattened. However the dimensions of the restyled A8 are more or less the same. The sedan is 5.19 m long (+ 2 cm / + 1 cm on the S8), 1.95 m wide and 1.47 m high.
A trendy interior
Inside, the furniture has not changed. On the other hand, new materials (like the durable Dinamica microfiber) are used and a new infotainment system (with MMI Plus navigation and connected services) is emerging. The 8.6 ” touchscreen (10.1 inches for digital speedometers) is now controlled by voice calling the car “Hey Audi”!
The interior can receive a new light ambiance (standard on the S8) which includes Matrix LED reading lights at the rear. Of course, it’s in the back seat that you get the most out of the A8! Audi always offers a wide range of equipment, including the refrigerator compartment, the fragrance diffuser and the relaxation seat with footrest. In addition to the back, passengers can have the arch of the foot massaged with a different temperature intensity. This pack also includes a center console with folding table (optional), a quad-zone air conditioning system and new screens on the backs of the seats (10.1 ” with full HD resolution). Audi does not forget the most music lovers, with a Bang & Olufsen audio system with 23 speakers.
Optimized driving aids
At the wheel, the driver (or driver) is not forgotten. Around 40 driving aids are offered with optional the automatic parking function, already seen on the rival BMW 7 Series. The large sedan no longer needs you (let alone in the vehicle) to perform parallel or row parking. Numerous packages make it possible to enhance the sedan with other autonomous driving systems, such as the central driving assistance controller (zFAS) which continuously calculates the vehicle’s environment and adapts the assistance systems accordingly.
The S8 still in the game!
Under the hood, the A8 can still count on its plug-in hybrid 6-cylinder block (60 TFSI e). Unlike the version currently marketed, the restyled A8 benefits from a few additional horses (462 hp vs 449 hp) and a much more powerful battery (14.4 vs 14.1 kWh). The performances are unchanged with a 0 to 100 km / h still executed in 4.9 sec.
Other markets benefit from a 286 hp 3.0 TDI V6 diesel. Will it make a comeback in France like the S8 twin-turbo 4.0 TFSI V8 with 571 hp, however penalized by a big ecological penalty from next year? To get rid of comments, however, the latter takes advantage of Cylinder-On-Demand (COD) technology, which reduces fuel consumption by changing the number of cylinders used according to driving conditions. Only the S8 receives standard predictive active suspension, a sport differential and dynamic steering. As with all “S” models, Audi offers reinforced braking (ceramic discs) and has taken care of the aesthetics with a more sporty character. This vibrant version, like the more classic versions, automatically receives all-wheel drive (quattro system) and the 8-speed tiptronic gearbox.
Arrival in France during 2022
The restyled Audi A8 will roam the French roads in 2022. The entry ticket to Germany is set at less than 100,000 €. It should be much higher here, like that of the S8 (if it joins the range) posted across the Rhine at € 145,000. Currently, the entrance ticket for the A8 in France starts at € 128,700 (135,510 € for the limousine version). Note that four new metallic colors (one green, one gray and two blue) and five matt (gray, silver, white) join the catalog. The A8 will also be offered, for the first time, with an S-Line package.
A Horch series, just for China
Chinese customers, mainly targeted by this model and specifically in its limousine version “L”, have the privilege of benefiting from a special finish called “Horch” which Argus spoke to you already a few weeks ago. It measures 5.45 m long, or about fifteen centimeters more than our A8 L. To differentiate itself, it is adorned with padded seats, an XXL panoramic roof, specific badges and two-tone paint. It thus comes to give the reply to the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, even if it cannot benefit from a twelve-cylinder, unlike its rival: only a wise V6 takes place under its hood.
