Audi A8 vs BMW M3 Saloon

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A8 compared with M3 Saloon

	AudiA8	BMWM3 Saloon
Overview
Released
Released	November 2017	March 2021
Performance
Powertrain
Powertrain	Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid	Petrol
Power
Power	282–563 bhp (better)	523 bhp
0–62 mph
0–62 mph	3.8–5.9 s	3.5 s (better)
Top speed
Top speed	155 mph	155 mph
Engine or motors
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	2,993 cc six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol, 390 kW (530 hp); bhp converted from BMW's kW figures
Torque
Torque	600 Nm (50 TDI), 700 Nm system (60 TFSI e), 800 Nm (S8)	650 Nm
Gearbox
Gearbox	8-speed tiptronic	8-speed automatic
Drive
Drive	quattro four-wheel drive	M xDrive all-wheel drive
Range and charging
Zero-emission range (WLTP)
Zero-emission range (WLTP)	36 miles	–
Battery
Battery	14.4 kWh	–
Economy (WLTP)
Economy (WLTP)	24.5–63 mpg (better)	27.7 mpg
Range detail
Range detail	60 TFSI e WLTP electric range: 33–36 miles combined (A8), 32–36 miles (A8 L), depending on trim	–
Charging
Charging	60 TFSI e has a 14.4 kWh net (17.9 kWh gross) battery; AC charging, 150 minutes to full	–
Efficiency
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.	WLTP combined: 27.4–27.7 mpg
CO2 emissions
CO2 emissions	183–200 g/km (50 TDI), 102–115 g/km (60 TFSI e), 260–263 g/km (S8), WLTP combined	231–235 g/km, WLTP combined
Practicality
Body
Body	Saloon	Saloon
Seats
Seats	5	5
Boot
Boot	–	480 litres
Length
Length	5,190 mm	4,801 mm
Width
Width	1,945 mm	1,903 mm
Weight
Weight	From 2,020 kg	–
Boot
Boot	505 litres on 50 TDI and S8; 390 litres on 60 TFSI e	480 litres
Towing
Towing	2,300 kg braked (50 TDI and S8)	–
Size
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)	4,801 mm long, 1,903 mm wide (2,068 mm with mirrors), 1,438 mm high; 2,857 mm wheelbase; EC unladen weight including a 75 kg driver is 1,865 kg