Audi A8 The most senior member of Audi's A series

The 2015 Audi A8 has generous power, lots of interior opulence and a surprising amount of agility. The Audi A8 3.0T comes with a supercharged V6 engine that reviewers agree has ample power. We note that the 4.0T’s twin-turbocharged V8 is significantly more potent, and it gets about the same fuel economy. Long-wheelbase A8 L models are available with both the V6 and V8 engines, as well as a 12-cylinder engine and a turbodiesel V6. Every A8 comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. According to the EPA, the 2015 A8 3.0T gets 19/29 mpg city/highway, which is good for the class. Test drivers agree that the A8 has excellent handling for a large car, tackling corners with the agility of a much smaller sport sedan. We also appreciate its sharp steering, excellent traction and smooth ride.

Audi A8’s cabin is especially luxurious, with opulent materials and a beautiful design. Comfortable front seats and spacious rear seats further enhance the car’s appeal. The A8 has a small trunk for the class. Standard features include leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system, satellite radio, a USB port, Bluetooth, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and Audi’s MMI infotainment and navigation system. Available features include front and rear seats that are heated, ventilated and massaging, a cooled rear-seat bin, a panoramic sunroof, a rear-seat entertainment system, a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, blind spot monitoring, active lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, a head-up display, night vision and a surround-view camera system. We are impressed with the number of high-tech features in the A8, and they note that the MMI infotainment system has sharp graphics and is easy to use.

Performance
The Audi A8 has a wide range of petrol and diesel engines. Most are V6s and V8s, but there’s also a hybrid version that combines a four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, and a rip-snorting W12. All have an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Our favourite engine is the 3.0 TDI diesel, which is effortlessly swift. The more powerful versions are seriously quick.
Handling

Every A8 has adjustable air suspension that provides a pretty supple ride when you select Comfort or Auto mode. However, sharp bumps can still send the odd shudder through the cabin (and those onboard). In most settings, body control is good for such a big car, but while the steering weights up with speed, it is devoid of feel.

Quality
Audi has a reputation for outstanding cabin quality, and the A8 shows it's well deserved. All of the materials are beautifully textured, the screen's graphics look great and the interior panel gaps are all millimetre-perfect. The JD Power customer satisfaction survey suggests that Audi's reliability doesn't always match its standards of assembly, though.
Behind Wheel
A huge range of electric seat and steering wheel adjustment makes it easy to get comfortable in the A8, while Audi's MMI control system keeps clutter to a minimum by letting you access most functions via on-screen menus. The A8 also has a touchpad that lets you write your destination into the sat-nav, so you can programme it without taking your eyes of the road. However, some of the MMI menus can be a bit distracting.

Equipment
The long list of standard equipment includes climate control, leather upholstery, a DAB radio, satellite-navigation and all-LED headlights. SE Executive trim adds electrically operated boot closing, a rear parking camera and larger alloys. Buyers can also specify anything from massage seats to a thumping Bang & Olufsen stereo.
Safety
You won't want for safety kit. Every A8 comes with eight airbags, stability control and Audi's pre-sense system, which automatically activates the hazard warning lights, closes the windows and tightens the front seatbelts if an accident looks unavoidable. A more sophisticated version that also brakes the car is available as an option, as is a night-vision system that's capable of identifying pedestrians. Security kit is comprehensive, too.

"Compared with the big S-Classes and 7 Series of the world, the A8 feels lithe and more responsive -- less of a limousine and more of a sport sedan." -- Motor Trend (2013)

"The 2015 Audi A8 remains one of our top luxury sedan picks for its high levels of comfort, performance and numerous high-tech features." -- Edmunds

 "The Audi A8 delivers the stretch-out-space, high-tech gadgetry and pampering extras one would expect of a full-size luxury sedan, but it drives much smaller than its generous dimensions would suggest. These virtues, along with standard quattro all-wheel-drive and a wide range of powerful yet efficient motors, make the A8 a highly tempting option for executive sedan shoppers." -- Left Lane News

Pros --

• Supremely luxurious
• Impeccable refinement
• Roomy cabin
• Superb engines

Cons --

• Understated looks
• Artificial steering feel
• Slightly lumpy ride

Overall Rating -- 4/5
Price -- Rs 1,10,00,000-1,90,00,000  (US$74209-78325)