Audi A8 (2014-2017) Review and Prices

Purists might lament the loss of the big petrol engines originally offered with the A8, but their huge running costs (the W12 returned just 20mpg and the V8 wasn’t much better) meant they never appealed to enough buyers. Anyway, if you want crazy performance in your A8 saloon, there’s always the S8.

But there’s little point bothering – the diesels have all the performance you could ever need, their effortless power delivery matches the A8’s smooth shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox, and their running costs sit well within the realms of affordability.

The A8 engine range comprises just two units – a 3.0-litre V6 and a 4.2-litre V8. Tempting as it is to spec the top-of-the-range model, there really is no need – the V6 does just fine. Its 258hp might not sound like much in a car this big, but thanks to having four-wheel drive and eight forward gears, it’s enough to rocket the A8 from 0-62mph in just 5.9 seconds.

Horsepower figures tend to carry more weight, but it’s the A8’s 428Ib ft of torque – and the fact it’s available from just 1,750rpm – that’s more worthy of mention here. In the real world, those figures translate into effortless acceleration at far beyond legal speeds. The best part is the fuel economy, because despite its size and performance, the 3.0-litre can return fuel economy of close to 50mpg.

If you crave for even more readily accessible oomph, the 4.2-litre V8’s door is well worth knocking. Its 626Ib ft of torque is nothing short of astonishing, bearing in mind a top-of-the-range Audi R8 coughs out a mere 413Ib ft. Acceleration is mind blowing – the 380hp saloon sprints from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and top speed wouldn’t be far off 200mph were the car not limited to ‘just’ 155mph. Fuel economy drops to around 40mpg which isn’t excessive given the turn of speed.

The Audi is unerringly accomplished at feeling much smaller than it actually is, so you soon forget about its huge dimensions and start to enjoy its far-reaching limits.

The steering helps with this. A throwback to 2010 when the A8 was launched, it’s hydraulic and gives a more natural feel than the electric systems fitted to newer models. It’s quicker to react than the steering in the Mercedes S-Class and weighs up nicely as you enter corners, giving the confidence to fully exploit the grip of the wide tyres and quattro four-wheel-drive system.

The hydraulic power steering doesn’t come without its drawbacks, though. It isn’t compatible with the autonomous driving systems that are available in rivals, although things like active cruise control (£2,000) and lane assist (£500) are options.

Even without that kit specified, the A8 makes for an excellent cruiser. Standard double glazing helps the miles roll by almost unnoticed – there’s no wind noise and barely any tyre rumble.

That good work isn’t undone by an overly firm suspension setup, set to Comfort the adaptive air springs float over bumps and crests like they have a marshmallow filling. Select Dynamic and there’s less body roll and a firmer edge to the handling balance but, overall, it’s still pretty cosseting.

Enclosed areas don’t suit the A8 quite as well as the motorway. Through town, there’s no disguising the car’s vast dimensions. Simple manoeuvres turn into three point turns and parking can be tricky – the back windscreen seems awfully far away, a rear-view camera is a cheeky £500 option, and self-park isn’t available.