The Audi A8 is the flagship sedan within the model’s vary, however this one is the entry-level tackle the theme – the 2023 Audi A8 50 TDI.

Yep, a diesel engine remains to be the entry-point to this luxurious limousine vary, whereas most different manufacturers are shifting to high-tech hybridised petrol powertrains, or full electrification, because the occasions dictate.

That’ll in all probability occur for the next-gen A8, if there’s one… however the present automobile has been up to date, with this facelifted model utilising a 48-volt mild-hybrid system alongside its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel – it has quattro all-wheel drive commonplace, too. 

It now kicks off at greater than $200,000 earlier than on-roads, too… so, is it nonetheless plush sufficient? Let’s discover out.

How a lot does the Audi A8 50 TDI price?

The 2023 Audi A8 line-up consists of three totally different variations – right here we now have the ‘entry-level’ standard-wheelbase A8 50 TDI which is priced from a cool $202,700 earlier than on-road prices.

The longer-wheelbase A8 L mannequin may appear dear for its additional rear-seat legroom, but it surely’s the one to purchase for the last word in chauffeur pushed consolation for occupants.

The A8 line-up is comparatively small in comparison with its principal rivals. The brand new BMW 7 Sequence has three grades, however two are electrical – the petrol 740i begins at $272,900, whereas the i7 xDrive 60 is $306,900, and the i7 M70 xDrive is $344,900.

As does the Mercedes S-Class line-up, which begins from $242,361 (all MSRP pricing), earlier than stepping as much as the S450 L ($266,961), the S580 L ($332,760), and the petrol-model vary is topped by the V12-powered S680 Maybach ($571,662). There’s additionally the EQS 53 4Matic+ electrical limousine, which is $327,075.

By comparability the Audi seems to be like a cut price. Much more so when you think about that each one the color/paint choices are at no additional price.

So, whether or not you select Sensible Black, Mythos Black Metallic, Firmament Blue Metallic, Extremely Blue Metallic, District Inexperienced Metallic, Daytona Gray Pearl, Manhattan Gray Metallic, Terra Gray Metallic, Vesuvius Gray Metallic, Florett Silver Metallic or Glacier White Metallic, there isn’t a added price. However there are some Audi Unique colors that price $7050 extra!

There are some wonderful non-compulsory extras, together with the S line package deal that makes this automobile look much less like one which deserves Rent Automotive plates, and some different selection objects I’ll cowl down beneath.

2023 Audi A8 pricing:

• Audi A8 50TDI: $202,700
• Audi A8 L 50TDI: $222,700
• Audi S8: $273,400

Costs exclude on-road prices

What’s the Audi A8 50 TDI like on the within?

There isn’t almost as a lot wow issue as in a brand new BMW or Mercedes limo – and you recognize what? I’m completely okay with that. 

That’s as a result of the standard of the supplies and the usability of the expertise is exceptionally good.

This check automobile featured a fantastic wooden end on the dashboard and doorways, Dinamica faux suede materials on the door playing cards, and opulent Valcona leather-based on the seats and sprint and different components of the cabin space – and mixed, it makes for a critically high-end feel and appear within the cabin.

There’s additionally a touch of theatrics to it. While you change the automobile on, the wooden panelling opens as much as reveal the air vents. There are haptic management pads beneath these vents that will let you regulate the velocity/move of the air, and the vents will shut and the wooden will reappear in the event you flip the move off.

Sure, it might solely have a ten.1-inch touchscreen media system, but it surely additionally has a secondary display beneath that with haptic suggestions, and it does work very well. I don’t even thoughts that it’s a must to contact the display to regulate the fan velocity and temperature – as a result of it’s logical, and learnable.

As is the motive force data display (or Digital Cockpit, in Audi communicate), which has an array of readouts and information on it, and may be very straightforward to become familiar with.

The consolation is phenomenal for front-seat occupants as effectively, with very comfortable and properly adjustable seats, with a bunch of various features out there as effectively, together with heating, cooling, a therapeutic massage perform, electrical adjustment, and reminiscence settings on each side. 

Relating to storage, there’s a pair of moderately first rate door pockets with bottle holsters, though the entrance doorways have an asymmetrical design – that means the motive force’s door has totally different components than the passengers door.

So the passenger door will get a much bigger bottle holder and a special form to the seize deal with, whereas the motive force’s door will get much less storage, but in addition has extra controls.

Between the entrance seats is a lined centre console bin with a twin-opening lid. Inside that may be a wi-fi cellphone charger with one of many cleverest holsters to maintain your cellphone in place and out of sight that I’ve seen in any automobile.

There’s a pair of USB-C ports in there as effectively, whereas in entrance of that storage space is a pair of cupholders and a 12-volt port.

Within the second row, there’s ample house for an grownup of my measurement – as you’ll anticipate. At 182cm or 6’0” tall, I’ve sufficient knee-room and headroom to be comfy, however it will be a greater two-person rear-seat expertise than a three-person job.

The outer seats are fantastically sculpted and cozy, whereas the center seat is flatter and there’s a big transmission tunnel intrusion that does get in the best way of issues.

After all that middle-rear seat is designed to be folded down to separate up the house within the second row, creating an armrest for the backseat occupants – in addition to a management centre for media, lighting (together with Matrix LED studying lights!), shades and rather more – due to the 5.7-inch display between the seats.

There’s additionally a pop-out cupholder part, and a lined centre bin with a pair of USB-C ports. It additionally has a pleasant closing movement and damping while you fold that armrest part away.

Rear occupants additionally rating a pair of pockets on the seat backs, and bottle holders within the doorways. Additionally there are pop-up screens for the home windows.

These within the rear are additionally handled to the wooden end on the seat backs of the entrance seats, and alongside the doorways. 

Relating to air flow, there are directional air-vents within the B-pillars, and in addition behind the entrance centre console space. And there are brilliant overhead LED lights for studying, or for getting a toddler in or out of the again seats. 

On that subject, there are ISOFIX factors out there in every of the rear window seats, and three top-tether factors as effectively.

Maybe the strangest factor within the again is the pair of 12-volt ports – clearly designed as cigarette lighters! How bizarre. 

As you’ll anticipate, the boot house is ample, with sufficient house for baggage switch from the airport.

There’s 505 litres of cargo capability within the boot, however there’s a hump in the direction of the entrance of the cargo space, which does eat into the house slightly bit. However there’s additionally a gap between the boot space and the cabin for storage of longer objects like skis. 

There’s a netted part to the left of the again of the automobile with a 12-volt port as effectively, and beneath the boot flooring is a space-saver spare tyre.

What’s below the bonnet?

This model of the A8 comes with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which supplies this ultra-large sedan a wholesome 210kW of energy (3500-4000rpm) and 600Nm of torque (1750-3250rpm).

It has an eight-speed automated transmission, and quattro all-wheel drive as commonplace. 

The efficiency claims are stable, too: 0-100km/h is 5.9 seconds, and the highest velocity is 250km/h – preferrred for these autobahn sprints… not a lot for the M5 tunnel in Sydney.

How does the Audi A8 50 TDI drive?

Let’s not child ourselves. This automobile is as a lot about what it’s prefer to be within the again seat as it’s for these up entrance.

I can attest, although, that regardless of the place you sit, the luxurious of this expertise is phenomenal. It’s correctly posh.

Probably the most excellent aspect for all occupants is the automobile’s chic experience consolation. 

The adaptive air suspension is, in my view, unparalleled by way of the quantity of composure and management on supply when the automobile encounters bumpy sections of highway, and even velocity humps – it does an amazing job of cosseting these within the cabin, and making for comfy and really easy progress.

Nevertheless it additionally handles itself effectively in corners, with a tied-down and assertive dynamism that you just may not anticipate of a automobile of this measurement, and with this a lot weight. 

It isn’t sports activities car-like, however it’s way more fulfilling to drive than you may anticipate will probably be – in the event you do discover the type of highway the place you can provide it a little bit of a push, or possibly you have to ferry some VIPs alongside a twisty highway to their secret hideout.

The steering additionally provides a good quantity of directness and responsiveness to it. It isn’t the final phrase in really feel, but it surely’s nonetheless predictable and manageable in all conditions.

The three.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine can also be terrific, with a robust surge of torque from low within the rev vary, and linear energy supply as you construct velocity.

There’s a sensible eight-speed auto transmission that permits the engine to do its greatest work, both simply through the use of its pulling energy, or by dropping a gear and serving to issues out. 

Regardless of which scenario the drivetrain finds itself in, although, it’s quiet and really refined. The one points with that refinement might be when the 48-volt stop-start system kicks in on the low speeds, and there might be some slight jerking or hesitation – however it’s not on a regular basis, and it’s definitely not a dealbreaker.

While you’re utilizing adaptive cruise management and coasting the automobile can minimize the engine fully, too, and it’ll minimize the engine in the event you’re coasting to a cease. 

There are a number of drive modes out there, together with auto, consolation, dynamic, and particular person. Whereas the dynamic mode does tighten issues up by way of suspension, steering, engine and transmission responsiveness, consolation mode is the place it’s at while you’re driving a automobile like this, or in the event you’re a passenger in a automobile like this, as a result of it makes issues that rather more relaxed and comfortable.

I can’t overstate simply how spectacular the noise, vibration and harshness suppression is on this automobile – it feels correctly luxurious, and so it ought to.

There’s an amazing degree of consolation on supply, and that’s precisely what there needs to be. And you’ll barely hear the highway floor, even on coarse-chip roads, and there’s however a whisper of wind noise at velocity – keep in mind, that is designed to chop by the air cleanly at autobahn speeds, so it’s quiet. 

As for the protection expertise and the techniques on supply, the adaptive cruise management provides a selection of lane-keeping help or not, and I discovered it labored extraordinarily effectively in each conditions. 

Nevertheless, throughout my time on this check automobile, I had an occasion the place one of many automobile’s parking sensor techniques failed, that means the auto-parking system was unavailable, and so had been security techniques just like the intelligent manoeuvre braking system that can hit the brakes if it thinks you may hit an impediment at decrease speeds.

What do you get?

A8 50 TDI highlights:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• House-saver spare wheel
• Digital Matrix LED headlights
  • HD Matrix perform
  • LED daytime working lights
• OLED tail lights
• Prolonged mild sequencing
  • 5 dynamic picture/animation projections
• Entrance, rear dynamic indicators
• Adaptive air suspension
  • Repeatedly variable adaptive damping on all 4 wheels
• Keyless entry and begin
• Electrical boot lid with gesture management
• Exterior mirrors
  • Heated, folding and auto dimming with reminiscence; kerb-side perform on the passenger facet
• Energy assisted door closure (aka smooth shut)
• Panoramic sunroof with electrical shade
• Double glazed glass
• Electrical entrance seat adjustment
• Valcona leather-based upholstery with perforated leather-based on entrance and outer rear seats
• Prolonged leather-based package deal
  • Centre console, door armrests, airbag cowl on steering wheel, higher dashboard and door rails in Nappa leather-based
• Heated entrance seats 
• Heated entrance armrests
• Heated entrance centre console lid
• Heated steering wheel with paddle-shifters
• Electrical steering wheel adjustment
• Ventilated (cooled) entrance seats
• Therapeutic massage entrance seats
• Ambient lighting with 30 selectable colors, 6 color profiles
• 12.3-inch driver data show (digital cockpit)
• Head-up show
• 10.1-inch touchscreen media system 
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB digital radio
• Wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system with subwoofer
• 4x USB ports (2 x entrance, 2 x rear)
• Wi-fi cellphone charging
• Audi join on-line providers
  • On-line site visitors data, hazard alerts, Google Maps connectivity, parking data, climate data, gas costs, Google providers, and Safety & Help package deal with distant locking/unlocking, automobile finder, emergency calling and on-line roadside help
• Rear-seat management system with 5.7-inch OLED display
  • Local weather management, seat, lighting and comfort features out there

If that’s not sufficient, a number of the non-compulsory packages embody:

• Sensory Package deal ($17,000): Rear outer heated seats (commonplace tools for lengthy wheel base mannequin); full leather-based package deal; 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen superior sound system; adaptive windscreen wipers; headlining and parcel shelf in black Dinamica; extendable solar visors; privateness glass – darkish tinted rear and rear facet home windows; air high quality package deal – consists of 2 fragrances and air ionisation to enhance the air high quality within the cabin
• Rear Seat Consolation Package deal ($7000): Seat air flow with therapeutic massage perform at rear;  3-seater rear seat system consists of rear outer seats with energy adjustment; consolation head restraints; outer heated seats within the again row
• S line exterior package deal ($NCO): Modifications entrance and rear bumpers for aero-focused S line variations, black exterior highlights and results (not proven on this check automobile, which has the no-cost Chrome Exterior Package deal.

Is the Audi A8 50 TDI secure?

There is no such thing as a ANCAP or Euro NCAP crash check security ranking for the Audi A8. By no means has been, the truth is.

However being the flagship mannequin within the line-up, you may relaxation assured that whereas it doesn’t have an impartial security ranking, it does have an enormous array of lively security expertise and options to maintain you secure.

These objects embody:

• Adaptive cruise management with cease & go, together with site visitors jam help 
• Lively lane help
  • When activated helps the motive force keep within the lane by mild corrective steering intervention and thru steering vibration
• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• 360-degree cameras together with kerb view perform
• Entrance, rear parking sensors
• Driver consideration alert
• Ahead autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian and bike owner detection, and intersection help
• Collision avoidance help
  • Helps steering torque in essential conditions the place the motive force initiates evasive motion
• Flip help (junction help)
  • Screens oncoming site visitors when turning proper at low speeds
• Emergency help
  • Inside system limits, detects when the motive force fails to reply. In such occasion, the system gives the motive force with a visible, acoustic and haptic warning
• Exit warning system
  • Detects vehicles and cyclists when opening doorways

There’s additionally an non-compulsory Evening Imaginative and prescient Assistant, which might determine and illustrate individuals and bigger wild animals. The airbag depend is beneficiant (9), with twin entrance airbags, entrance facet airbags, rear facet airbags, a entrance centre airbag, and curtain airbags.

How a lot does the Audi A8 50 TDI price to run?

The A8 is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and you should purchase a five-year service plan for $4290. That may cowl your first 5 providers, due at both 12 months or each 15,000km. 

There’s service-initiated roadside help as effectively, so in the event you keep the automobile with Audi, you’ll have the ability to take benefit.

As for the working prices, the official mixed cycle gas consumption for the A8 50 TDI is 6.6 litres per 100km – fairly spectacular for a 2095kg luxurious sedan.

In my testing, which included a couple of hundred kilometres of blended driving, I noticed a return of seven.7L/100km.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Audi A8 50 TDI

The opponents may make the A8 really feel a bit behind the occasions by way of the expertise, however this stays a splendid uber luxurious sedan with an easy powertrain and a tremendously good experience.

It looks as if a terrific purchase for the cash, contemplating how a lot the opponents price, too.

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