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Audi A8 · AUDI AG; A8 SE front three-quarter render, Audi Ireland MY26 guide; regional configuration shown

Audi A8
Photo 1 of 31

Audi A8 · AUDI AG; A8 SE front three-quarter render, Audi Ireland MY26 guide; regional configuration shown

Audi · A8

A8

Released November 2017

The fourth-generation A8, Audi's flagship luxury saloon, sold in standard and long-wheelbase A8 L forms with a mild-hybrid V6 diesel, a V6 plug-in hybrid and the V8 S8, suited to buyers who want a large chauffeur-grade saloon.

Body
Saloon
Powertrain
Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power
282–563 bhp
Range
36 mi
Boot
–

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the A8 has a beautifully built, well-equipped and spacious interior, a smooth plug-in hybrid and composed, capable handling. They differ on comfort: What Car? and Carwow found the ride extremely comfortable, while Autocar found it short of the suppleness a limousine needs and Auto Express rated the Mercedes S-Class more comfortable. Understated styling and a plug-in range shorter than the S-Class's are also noted.

From autocar.co.uk, whatcar.com, autoexpress.co.uk and carwow.co.uk

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Performance

Powertrain
Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power
282–563 bhp
0–62 mph
3.8–5.9 s
Top speed
155 mph
Engine or motors
3.0-litre V6 TDI (286 PS), 3.0-litre V6 TFSI plug-in hybrid with a 100 kW electric motor (462 PS system output), 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 TFSI (571 PS, S8); the TDI and S8 have 48-volt mild hybrid technology; bhp converted from Audi's PS figures
Torque
600 Nm (50 TDI), 700 Nm system (60 TFSI e), 800 Nm (S8)
Gearbox
8-speed tiptronic
Drive
quattro four-wheel drive

Range and charging

Zero-emission range (WLTP)
36 miles
Battery
14.4 kWh
Economy (WLTP)
24.5–63 mpg
Range detail
60 TFSI e WLTP electric range: 33–36 miles combined (A8), 32–36 miles (A8 L), depending on trim
Charging
60 TFSI e has a 14.4 kWh net (17.9 kWh gross) battery; AC charging, 150 minutes to full
Efficiency
WLTP combined: 37.3–40.3 mpg (50 TDI), 36.9–40.1 mpg (A8 L 50 TDI), 55.9–63.0 mpg weighted (60 TFSI e), 24.4–24.6 mpg (S8); depends on trim. Audi UK lists 134.5–156.9 mpg for the A8 L TFSI e on a separate battery and powertrain page, but its current configurator has no selectable car.
CO2 emissions
183–200 g/km (50 TDI), 102–115 g/km (60 TFSI e), 260–263 g/km (S8), WLTP combined

Practicality

Body
Saloon
Seats
5
Length
5,190 mm
Width
1,945 mm
Weight
From 2,020 kg
Boot
505 litres on 50 TDI and S8; 390 litres on 60 TFSI e
Towing
2,300 kg braked (50 TDI and S8)
Size
5,190 mm long, 1,945 mm wide, 1,473 mm high (A8 50 TDI); A8 L is 5,320 mm long and 1,488 mm high, with a 3,128 mm wheelbase; unladen weight is 2,020 kg (A8 50 TDI, Audi UK) to 2,340 kg (A8 L 60 TFSI e, Audi German technical sheet)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • quattro four-wheel drive and an 8-speed tiptronic on every version
  • 60 TFSI e covers up to 36 miles on electricity (WLTP)
  • S8 has a 571 PS twin-turbo V8 and reaches 62 mph in 3.8 seconds

Cons

  • Boot falls from 505 litres to 390 in the TFSI e
  • S8 manages 24.4–24.6 mpg (WLTP combined)
  • The plug-in hybrid charges on AC only

Closest rivals

Model
BodyPowertrainPowerRangeBootReleased
Mercedes-BenzS-Class Saloon
SaloonMild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid308–577 bhp60–67 mi515 lDec 2020
BMW3 Series Saloon
SaloonPetrol, Plug-in hybrid, Mild hybrid181–386 bhp61–63 mi–Mar 2019
BMWM3 Saloon
SaloonPetrol523 bhp–480 lMar 2021

Sources

  1. audi.co.uk/en/models/a8/a8/configurator
  2. audi.co.uk/en/models/a8/a8-l/configurator
  3. audi.co.uk/en/models/a8/a8-tfsi-e/configurator
  4. audi.co.uk/en/models/a8/a8-l-tfsi-e/configurator
  5. audi.co.uk/en/models/a8/s8/configurator
  6. audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/sharpened-design-and-innovative-technolo…
  7. audi.co.uk/en/models/a8/a8-l-tfsi-e
  8. audi.co.uk/en/models/a8/a8-l-tfsi-e/layers/battery-and-powertrain
  9. media.audi.com/is/content/audi/country/uk/en/models/asset/dimensions/A8.pdf
  10. media.audi.com/is/content/audi/country/uk/en/models/asset/dimensions/Audi_A8_L.…
  11. media.audi.com/is/content/audi/country/uk/en/models/asset/dimensions/Audi_A8_TF…
  12. media.audi.com/is/content/audi/country/uk/en/models/asset/dimensions/Audi_A8_L_…
  13. uploads.audi-mediacenter.com/system/production/car_motorizations/1329/file_en/9…
  14. media.audi.com/is/content/audi/microsites/audi-com/assets/downloads/report/annu…

Photo: AUDI AG; A8 SE front three-quarter render, Audi Ireland MY26 guide; regional configuration shown

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