One thing the standard A8 could be accused of is having a somewhat uncertain status in the Audi hierarchy. Though it’s larger and more expensive than the A6, it’s no bigger inside – in fact the A6 has a slightly larger cabin and boot because of its cleverer space-maximising architecture.
This made us question in previous road tests whether there’s any reason to buy an A8 over a much more affordable A6. But with the new long-wheelbase 6.3-litre A8 there’s no ambiguity about its status in the pecking order.
The A8 L 6.3 W12 quattro is the largest, most powerful and most expensive Audi sedan there is, selling for R1 599 500. And it looks the part. An extra 13cm of length has given the stretched A8 more presence than the standard-wheelbase car, and it’s the type of look that will have CEOs, politicians, crime bosses and blue-light brigaders of all description salivating.
They’ll feel right at home too, with the A8’s extra centimetres giving limousine-like levels of legroom and the general luxury being in the president-pleasing category.
Rear-seat passengers, apart from enjoying stretch-out space and being able to manage their own climate control, are treated to two individual seats which are electrically-adjustable and ventilated. At extra cost you can specify massaging rear seats, and while we’re ticking options the boss can order a rear DVD entertainment system so he/she can watch Wall Street as inspiration while being chauffeured between business meetings.
The boss will, however, want to take the wheel every once in a while, just to experience first-hand the creamy thrust of that powerful direct-injection petrol engine with 12 cylinders stacked in a W formation (hence the W12 badge). Packing 368kW of power and 625Nm of torque, it gives this big tank remarkably responsive acceleration, totally neutralising the bloated, lethargic feel that you get in some large cars.
When you jab the throttle this Audi leaps to action like an eager-to-please German Shepherd chasing a ball, and at Joburg altitude the big car sprinted to 100km/h in just 5.7 seconds (Audi claims a supercar-like 4.9 seconds at sea level).
This feisty forward progress is accompanied by very little acoustic exuberance, and no matter how hard it’s pushed (even to its governed 250km/h top speed) the 12-cylinder engine’s as smooth as Remy Martin cognac.
The quick-reacting eight-speed tiptronic transmission is worthy of praise too, and plays a major role in giving the car its responsive nature. And given its size and its distance-demolishing abilities, the 15.6 litres per 100km our test car drank isn’t entirely unreasonable (Audi claims a 12.4 figure). The long-wheelbase A8 is also available in a more economical 4.2 turbodiesel version for R1 244 000.
What I enjoy most about this A8 is it doesn’t feel like you’re manhandling some big battleship. Because of its adaptive air suspension it doesn’t pitch and wallow like a pudding, as oversized cars are theoretically supposed to. The big Audi feels taut and tight, with very little body movement even when placed under hard g-force duress in cornering, accelerating or braking. Except when you’re parking, when its battleship size becomes apparent in no uncertain terms, it’s a car that shrinks around you when you’re driving it.
Quattro all-wheel drive and a sports differential assist those uber20-inch tyres to generate immense grip, and the A8 L makes swift progress through twisty tar. At the same time the suspension’s soft enough to make the car waft comfortably over just about any kind of road, and even badly rippled tar fails to generate significant jitters.
The air suspension can be manually set to comfort or sport mode to suit the road and your driving mood, or left in automatic where it balances the ride-handling equation for you.
Audis are often criticised for having a relatively low level of standard spec with expensive options. The range-topping A8 comes fairly well stocked with standard items like an MMI system integrating functions like the satnav, audio system, and car setup.
A parking camera, LED headlamps, and electrically-adjustable heated front seats are also part of the stock package, but you’ll pay an arm and a leg if you want extras like adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, night vision, and a fancier Bang and Olufsen audio system. A blue light also doesn’t come standard.
VERDICT:
This is one fine automobile, a mega luxury limo that also happens to be compellingly enjoyable to drive. Whereas the standard A8 is in a bit of a boardroom power struggle with the A6, the A8 L W12 has unquestionable hegemony in the Audi sedan range. -Star Motoring