I still have vivid memories of my first drive in the new A8L at the launch event earlier this year. It was an excellent event – coupled with a fast, 200+ kilometer drive to-and-from the event venue in the A8. Part of the reason why it was so good lay with the 4.2 litre petrol V8 powering the car, which revved to glory, and was blessed with a phenomenal soundtrack. So, no wonder I was grinning like an ape by the time we finished the drive.
So, consequently, when I was offered the A8 in 3.0 TDI guise for test, my instant reaction was one of trepidation, punctuated by a nagging question in my mind – would the diesel engine kill the A8 experience for me? Being a petrol-head and having sampled the pleasures of the 4.2 V8, needless to say, it was a pertinent question that hounded me. But, in any case, I said yes to the drive – after all, it’s the A8, so, let’s be honest, how bad can it be?
And so, the anointed car arrived in a nice shade of white with beige interiors and wood trim – not my ideal combo, but then again, as they say, beggars can’t be choosers. And, to be honest, in the latest iteration of the A8, it’s pretty hard to detect whether the engine is a diesel or petrol since the NVH levels are phenomenally low – to the extent that one has to look at the tach to determine whether the engine is even running or not, so the first concern was immediately dispelled.
While driving, what I found really remarkable was the fact that, for everyday use, the diesel engine is probably a more desirable choice over the petrol. Shocking I know, but hear me out. Not only does the diesel engine offer better economy, and, of course, is cheaper to buy, but the instant torque delivery of the diesel mill suits the luxury image of the A8 better too. Combine that with the fantastic 8-speed transmission, and the engine provides grunt almost instantly – whereas the petrol engine, due to its inherent high-revving nature, needs to be revved to at least 3000rpm before it starts strutting its stuff.
Sure, for the pure petrolhead, the petrol engine is the Holy Grail. But, honestly, in a market like ours, a product like the A8 is designed to be chauffeur driven at least 90% of the time. And, in that case, the diesel makes much more sense – especially since the burra sahib is naturally going to be in the backseat, either reading the financial papers or closing an important business deal on the phone.
Coming to the other aspects of the car, as expected, the A8 features the best interiors in its class – bar none. The design, the materials, and the attention to detail by Audi engineers and designers should be a benchmark lesson for other carmakers in the same space. And, of course, the A8, even in diesel form, comes pretty well equipped with a plethora of options to choose from just in case you’ve got too much money burning a hole in your pocket. But, one piece of advice to prospective buyers, whatever you do, please do get the massaging seats at any cost. After a long, tough day of work the seats provide a massaging experience that is simply heavenly. To the extent that on our drive back from the early morning test, a completely drained Dhruv and me agreed that we could kill to have these seats installed in our much poorer cars – they were that good!
The ride and handling reinforces my previous belief that the A8 is probably the best riding Audi across their current product portfolio, and is supremely comfortable. The big diesel engine upfront does take away some of the handling abilities of the car, but, really, the limits in these cars (as we witnessed with Audi’s pro driving instructor at the wheel) are so high that, in our conditions, we can barely even get to within 50% of their limits – if at all.
So, the A8 is a phenomenally capable car, equipped with stunning interiors, an excellent powertrain, and loaded with all sorts of gadgets and safety equipment. The only fly in the ointment is probably the fact that, with its subdued styling, it doesn’t shout its arrival so much as whispers it gently – it’s for those of you who prefer subtlety over shouting about your success. And, for those who are going to give me flak for choosing a diesel engined car over a petrol one – well, if you really want to drive yourself, get a bloody RS5!
