Whats New For 2014
New Cars Reviews - For 2014, a diesel v6 joins the a8s engine lineup. Additionally, bound choice packages are reshuffled and renamed, and all audi a8s currently feature a customary keyless ignition and power-operated trunk lid.
Introduction
Audi has usually trailed its teutonic rivals within the luxury-car sales race. But, clearly as the 2014 audi a8 illustrates, this sales ranking shouldn't be construed currently being a reflection inside the relative quality as to the manufacturers merchandise. With the use of a beautiful cabin and handling thats distinctly and gloriously german, the a8 is, from roof out to rubber, a category act that succeeds at elevating the driving experience within the giant luxury sedan category.
Audi tweaked the formula last year by revamping its engine lineup for your own full-size a8. For your own 1st time, base models were powered by a v6, which switch has proven that should be quite satisfying issued from a performance and efficiency standpoint. A brand new turbocharged v8 conjointly debuted currently being a midlevel alternative. Currently for 2014 the engine lineup sees another amendment, in the addition the most 3. 0-liter v6 diesel engine. Performance ought to be quite satisfactory, as audi claims a 0-60 mph time of 6. 4 seconds beside fuel economy thats possibly the most frugal within the high-end luxury sedan segment : 24 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined.
Inside and while not, the a8 embodies deluxe sophistication. The materials in its cabin are top-rate, and proof of superior craftsmanship abounds. Typical as to the giant luxury sedan category, there will be 2 wheelbases on the market, in the longer l model providing additional rear legroom. You'll add more decadence onto the rear seat with the use of a form of choices, as well as massaging rear seats or an extendable footrest in w12 models. Alternative attracts onto the a8 embody customary all-wheel drive and an intensive collection of luxury and technology-oriented features.
In fact, much of these are traits which are shared from the a8s rivals, and selecting only one of such wonderful luxury sedans is sure that should be a challenge. Buyers with the use of a yen obtain a sportier driving experience can need to envision out the 2014 porsche panamera. If full-on luxury is additional your issue, contemplate the sumptuous, all-new 2014 mercedes-benz s-class. Theres conjointly the jaguar xj if you really realize the a8s styling a trifle too anonymous, beside the bmw 7 series, a perennial favorite even if its currently among the older models during this category. Still, despite fierce competition, the a8 is a very good alternative for buyers who appreciate understated opulence as well as a balanced approach out to luxury and performance.
Body Designs, Trim Levels, And Options
The 2014 audi a8 quattro is an all-wheel-drive luxury sedan that will be offered in regular- and long-wheelbase versions, the latter identified by an l badge and bestowed with 5 additional inches of rear legroom. Trim levels embody 3. 0t, l 3. 0t, l 3. Zero tdi, 4. 0t, l 4. 0t and l w12. Every designation corresponds onto the wheelbase and engine type. The high-performance audi s8 is reviewed separately.
Customary features for your own base 3. 0t embody 19-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, led running lights, a sunroof, an adaptive air suspension, dual-zone automatic climate management, auto-dimming and power-folding mirrors, heated 12-way adjustable front seats with driver memory, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, aluminum and wood interior trim, a power rear sunshade, a power-operated trunk lid and soft-close doors. Electronic features within the cabin embody a keyless ignition, a navigation system, a rearview camera, audis mmi electronics interface with voice management, bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, as well as a bose surround-sound system with the use of a cd player and an ipod interface. Conjointly included is audi connect ( enhanced web-based navigation, data and wifi access ).
Though the a8 3. 0t is well equipped, there will be variety of on the market choices. In the warm weather package you get four-zone climate management beside power rear side-window sunshades. An extended leather package wraps the armrests, center console and steering wheel airbag cap in leather.
Inside the long-wheelbase l 3. 0t model, the warm weather package, extended leather package and piano-black interior inlays are included as customary.
Out to either wheelbase, 3. 0t buyers could elect to add the premium package, that includes 22-way multicontour comfort front seats with ventilation and pneumatic massage, full led headlights, a blind-spot warning system as well as a rear collision-mitigation system. A cold weather package adds a heated steering wheel, a ski bag for your own rear seat pass-through and heated rear seats. A luxury package includes a faux-suede headliner, upgraded leather upholstery and dual-pane glass. The rear seat comfort and package includes a five-passenger configuration with separate power rear outboard seats with ventilation and massage, and front passenger seat adjustment due to rear seat.
Obtain a sportier a8, the skills and package applies a sport-tuned air suspension, adaptive steering as well as a rear limited-slip differential. Finally, the driver assistance package includes a top-view parking camera system ; adaptive cruise management ; a lane-departure warning system ; the additional deluxe presense and version of audis collision warning and braking system ; and automatic high-beam management.
Stand-alone choices embody a panoramic sunroof, a solar sunroof ( powers a ventilation fan to stay the car cool ), a premium bang & olufsen sound system, a night eyesight camera ( an infrared camera out to detect animals and pedestrians up out to 1, 000 feet away ) as well as a rear seat entertainment system ( with 2 10-inch headrest-mounted screens ).
The 4. 0t model offers the same customary equipment clearly as the 3. 0t model, save for your own addition of active noise cancellation technology ( included out to compensate because of its v8 engines cylinder deactivation system ), whereas the l tdi and l 4. 0t are equipped much like the l 3. 0t. These models conjointly feature optional equipment similar onto the 3. 0t models, other then are additionally offered with an audi design choice package that adds full leather upholstery, dual-pane glass, unique stitching and piping, an alcantara headliner and unique wood and aluminum interior trim parts.
The prestige-level l w12 is essentially a fully loaded, four-seat version of the long-wheelbase model that is powered by a 12-cylinder engine. It includes all of the above-listed features, except for adaptive cruise control (and the more advanced collision avoidance system that comes with it), the solar sunroof, premium bang & olufsen audio and the night vision camera -- all of which remain stand-alone options. Also note that the 2014 audi a8 l w12 rolls on 20-inch wheels and comes with standard adaptive steering. Optional is the executive rear seat comfort package. It includes one rear relaxation seat with a powered footrest, a 10-way power front passenger seat, a refrigerated cooler box and a 115-volt power outlet.
There's also the w12 driver assistance package, which includes adaptive cruise control, a lane-departure warning system and a collision warning and braking system. Other option packages for the w12 include the w12 sport package (sport suspension plus the limited-slip differential) and the audi design selection package.
Powertrains And Performance
Powering the base model 2014 audi a8 is a supercharged 3.0-liter v6 that produces 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. All of this power is channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. In edmunds testing, a long-wheelbase l 3.0t with the optional sport plus package accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, which is quicker than every v6-powered competitor and just off the pace of those packing v8s.
Also standard on the v6 is an automatic stop-start feature that shuts the engine off when the car comes to a stop. It helps to increase fuel economy, which is quite good for this class of car at an epa-estimated 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 21 mpg in combined driving for either wheelbase.
Newly added this year is a 3.0-liter diesel v6 engine rated at 240 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. According to audi, this engine gets the a8 from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. At 24 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined, fuel economy with this engine is exceptional, and the engine comes only with the long-wheelbase configuration.
The turbocharged 4.0-liter v8 produces 420 hp and 444 lb-ft of torque. Stop-start, an eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive are also standard. In edmunds testing, an a8 l 4.0t ran to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. The epa estimates the 4.0t should earn 17 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined, or nearly the same as the supercharged v6. The l 4.0t is only slightly more thirsty at 16/26/19 mpg.
Audi a8s with the 6.3-liter w12 engine come only in long-wheelbase configuration. The 12-cylinder engine makes 500 hp and 463 lb-ft of torque. As with all a8s, an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard. Weighing in about 200 pounds more than the l 4.0t, the a8 l w12 will reach 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, according to audi. The epa estimates fuel economy at 13/21/16 mpg.
Safety
Standard safety equipment for every 2014 audi a8 includes antilock brakes, stability and traction control, full-length side curtain airbags, front and rear seat side airbags and active front headrests. A rearview camera is standard on most a8s, while the w12 gets an enhanced camera array with a top-view display (optional on lesser models). A blind-spot monitor and lane-departure warning system are offered in a couple of available option packages. Also optional is presense plus, which uses the adaptive cruise control system's radar to monitor traffic and alerts the driver if a potential collision is detected, even applying the brakes (to a standstill when vehicle speed is below 20 mph). A night vision camera is a stand-alone option.
Interior Design And Special Features
As audi's flagship, the 2014 a8 represents the best that the company has to offer. Thanks to exquisite materials combined with impeccable craftsmanship, the cabin is one of the finest in any flagship luxury sedan.
As you'd expect, comfort is a priority and the a8 delivers it in heaping portions. The upgraded seats found in the premium package adjust in so many ways that audi needed to invent a more advanced means of controlling them, and they ultimately ensure that drivers of any size or shape will find an optimal position to motor away countless miles. Rear seat comfort is also noteworthy, especially in the long-wheelbase versions that provide an expansive 43 inches of rear legroom.
For technophiles, audi's multi media interface provides a long list of functions through a crystal-clear display. There's a bit of a learning curve to it, but with a little time, control of numerous systems becomes second nature. The unique remote touchpad (upon which you can "write" numbers and letters with your finger) also doubles as a radio preset panel. It may seem like a superfluous novelty at first, but it turns out to be as useful as it is cool.
If there's one complaint that seems to come up more than others, it would be the a8's lack of trunk space. At a paltry 13.2 cubic feet, cargo capacity is far below that of its competitors and not nearly adequate to accommodate luggage for four adults.
Driving Impressions
Power from the audi a8's base v6 is plentiful, whether under acceleration or cruising down the highway. Passing slower cars is effortless and the brakes are equally up to the task of bringing the big sedan to a halt. The 4.0t power plant is even more impressive. While earning nearly the same fuel economy as the supercharged v6, the turbo v8 delivers a tidal wave of effortless torque to the point that a v8-equipped a8 will go toe to toe with almost any muscle car in a drag race. We've yet to drive the 2014 audi a8 with the new diesel v6, but we expect it to deliver acceptable performance plus excellent fuel economy.
With its all-wheel drive, well-tuned suspension and crisp steering response, the a8 handles like a smaller, lighter sport sedan in either wheelbase configuration. Yet, over broken pavement, the audi flagship delivers a compliant, composed ride fully in keeping with its luxury sedan status. We also like its electronically adjustable settings for the chassis and engine calibration, which provide a much greater degree of driver customization than bmw's similar system.
All things considered, the 2014 audi a8 is a worthy competitor among world-class luxury sedans. While the gap between these high-end sedans is narrow, the audi a8 distinguishes itself as a bona fide driver's car.