Audi A8 review: Their poshest motor yet with dialled up comfort levels

THE Audi A8 – not a very “Sun” car, right? Then again, why not? Okay, it’s an expensive land barge which spends most of its life ferrying the owner in the back, while a driver does the graft and stays off the champers at business “meetings”. But I know for a fact these pages are […]

THE Audi A8 – not a very “Sun” car, right? Then again, why not?

Okay, it’s an expensive land barge which spends most of its life ferrying the owner in the back, while a driver does the graft and stays off the champers at business “meetings”.

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The Audi A8 is an expensive land barge which spends most of its life ferrying the owner in the back[/caption]

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Designed for backseat owners, Audi has dialled up the comfort levels for the new A8[/caption]

But I know for a fact these pages are read by the FTSE 100 bosses as well as their chauffeurs, and the thing about flagship models like the Audi A8 is they are a showcase for technology that will appear on models lower in the food chain soon.

Look at the interior tech of the Mercedes C-Class then compare it with the S-Class – which is 40-odd grand more expensive – and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

Being primarily designed for backseat owners, Audi has dialled up the comfort levels for the new A8.

Air suspension comes as standard, but the faster S8 model now comes with road-scanning technology that adjusts the power to each wheel depending on the terrain ahead to keep the chassis level.

It’s clever stuff and it works better than more basic systems found in cars like the Genesis GV80 but – and it’s a big but – you’re paying nearly £103K for the S8.

I’ll wait for it to arrive on the Audi A4, thanks.

All engines, except the plug-in hybrid 60 TFSIe, come with 48v mild hybrid assistance, which not only nibbles the economy and emissions but makes for a smoother take-off from standstill.

No more spilling a latte down your white shirt before the big client meeting.

Speaking of the PHEV, it now has an improved electric range of 36 miles ­– more than enough to get from Mayfair to Canary Wharf without using the gas.

Rear-wheel steering is an option on most models but comes as standard on the S8 and top-spec Vorsprung versions. The improved stability is noticeable at high speeds, as well as the better parking agility.

And for the first time there’s an S Line trim, which adds the usual sporty tinsel and better headlights, seats, usual stuff.

Want some fun in your luxury limo? The S8 uses a muscular V8 engine to box off 0-62mph in 3.8seconds and tops out at 155mph.

Don’t forget, you won’t be able to buy a new V8 soon, whether you’re CEO of a company or not.

The A8 is one of the most expensive ways to own an Audi, but I recently saw some data on the cars that devalue the most and the A8 was right at the top.

So if you’re happy to wait five years you could pick one up for a steal. You didn’t hear it from me though, right?