First Drive: Audi A8

Prices for the new Audi A8 start from €92,800

There’s luxury, and then there’s the Audi A8.

The new take on the German car maker’s flagship model has arrived in Ireland, and we had the pleasure of taking it for a very quick spin at its Irish launch in Co Kildare this week.

There’s no denying that the fourth generation A8 is a beautiful looking car, both inside and out.

A8 product manager Mark McGrath said the enhancements to this version are the biggest product improvements in the model’s history.

He describes the upgrades as giving the car ‘sportier dynamic styling’.

A subtle resculpting of the bonnet, grille and front headlights as well as rear LEDs and tail pipes, along with five new exterior colours mark out the new model from its predecessor.

Opening the door of the test car, we entered an oasis of luxury.

From the cushioned leather interior, to the walnut brown inlays and vintage looking analogue clock, this car oozes style and sophistication.

We were driving the Executive SE trim 3.0TDI (diesel) 260 quattro Tiptronic, with the long wheelbase and the limo-like rear legroom was remarkable.

While massage and ventilation functions are available for the front seats, in the rear, two individual power seats can be specified, with an extended centre console.

The rear can be further tailored with a reclining seat and power fold out footrest.

The cockpit in the Audi A8 is uncluttered and driver focused

The cabin has a real cockpit-like feel to it, with an aviator style automatic gear stick.

The centre console totally separates the driver from the front seat passenger and the air conditioning and audio controls are angled upwards towards the driver.

The CD player and SD card slots are hidden from view behind a panel in the dashboard, directly under the MMI SatNav system.

Regrettably, our time behind the wheel was limited, so we didn’t get to drive it on faster roads, which is a pity, because Audi says the model we were driving can accelerate from 0-100kph in 6.1seconds. It also has a top speed of 250 kph.

Our route took us mainly through urban areas and the A8 handled beautifully, with a quiet cabin and smooth acceleration through the gears. It didn’t feel like a big car to drive and made light work of speed bumps.

There’s lots of advanced technology available in the new Audi A8, including adaptive cruise control, birds eye camera with 360 degree view and park assist with reverse camera.

I liked the Head Up Display in the test car, which beams your speed, speed limit signs and sat nav directions directly on to the windscreen at eye level.

We were driving in daylight on one of the most beautiful days of the year so we didn’t have the opportunity to test the new MatrixBeam LED headlights.

Audi says it’s the first manufacturer to offer this ultra smart technology, which it says will not dazzle oncoming drivers.

The system also uses GPS to illuminate upcoming intersections and curves in the road.

A reclining rear seat with footrest can be specified in the Audi A8

Enhanced night vision assist now highlights animals as well as people and, in the case of of humans, flashes a light three time to alert the driver.

Quattro four wheel drive is standard on the A8 and McGrath says this is one of the main reasons for driver conversions from competitor brands.

Audi Ireland managing director Christian Gussen said that the flagship Audi A8 ‘epitomises our ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’ [progress through technology] claim’.

‘We are proud to have been number one with the A8 in the luxury segment since 2010 and with even more efficient TDI and TFSI engines offering more power the A8 is stronger than it has ever been’.

Our first impressions of the new Audi A8 is that it’s a stunning car.

The new Audi A8 is now available, in a choice of five petrol and diesel engines. Audi believes the 3.0litre 260BHP will be the most popular with Irish drivers. It falls into the €390 annual tax band.

The A8 comes in a choice of three trim levels: SE, SE Executive and the top of the range Audi S8, with standard or long wheelbase.

Prices start from €92,800. The long wheelbase test car costs from €101,880, with options bringing the price to €120,772.

Meanwhile, the order book opens this week for the Audi W12, which arrives in Ireland in April.

Powered by a 6.0 W12 500BHP engine, it can accelerate from 0-100kph in 4.6seconds.

It’s priced at €155,160 and is only available in long wheelbase.

Visit the Audi Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.