L quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A)
L quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A)
L quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A)
L quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A)
L quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (6.3L 12cyl 8A)
3.0 TDI quattro AWD
3.0 TDI quattro AWD
Audi has never really led the sales chart in any of the segments it competes in, but that should not be construed as a reflection of the quality and value of the products that it offers.
Audi has never really led the sales chart in any of the segments it competes in, but that should not be construed as a reflection of the quality and value of the products that it offers. The Audi A8 is one such product that offers immense value in the form of powerful drivetrains, the latest cutting edge technology, solid driving feel, and plush cabin, all at a premium price, but the standardization of Quattro AWD makes the package worth every penny.
At this end of the car spectrum, it doesn’t make much sense to segregate the car features into various trims and hence Audi has decided to pack in all of the goodies in a single package and just give the buyers an option to choose between a V6 and a V8 engine. Audi also offers cylinder deactivation for the V8 engine to save some fuel, but other than that, the feature list stays the same as that of the base trim.
Trims |
3.0 T |
4.0 T |
---|---|---|
MSRP |
$75,995 |
$84,795 |
Key Features |
3.0-liter, 333 hp Supercharged V6 engine |
3.0T trim plus; |
Xenon High-Intensity Discharge Adaptive Dusk Sensing Headlamp |
4.0-liter 420 hp Twin-Turbo V8 engine |
|
14-speaker 630W Bose audio system |
Cylinder Deactivation |
|
Satellite Radio W/Real Time Traffic |
||
Dual Zone Front Climate Control |
||
Alloy, Leather, And Wood Interior Trim |
||
12 -Way Power Multi-Level Heating Front Seats |
||
19-inch Alloy Wheels |
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Audi has not differentiated the two trims in terms of features list and the performance from the base V6 engine is quick enough for most buyers and hence should be the preferred choice, as the V8 would guzzle more gas as well. Although, one needs to be aware of the rising prices with the options packages.
The 2014 Audi A8 is offered with 2 engine options, starting from the base 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine producing 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque and a 4.0-liter Twin-Turbo V8, generating 420 hp and 444 lb-ft.
The power is sent to all four wheels as Quattro AWD is standard and the engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The performance from the base engine is brisk too, bringing up 60 mph on the speedo in just 5.5 seconds.
Model |
Audi A8 3.0T |
BMW 7 Series 740i |
Jaguar XJ |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$75,995 |
$74,950 |
$75,125 |
Engine |
3.0L, Supercharged V6 |
3.0L, Turbocharged Inline-6 |
3.0L, Supercharged V6 |
Drivetrain |
AWD |
RWD |
RWD |
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
Power |
333 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
315 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
340 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
Torque |
325 lb-ft @ 2,900 rpm |
332 lb-ft @ 1,300 rpm |
332 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
0-60 mph (sec) |
5.5 |
5.2 |
5.1 |
Quarter-mile (sec) |
13.9 |
13.8 |
13.6 |
Top Speed (mph) |
130 |
142 |
142 |
The Jaguar XJ has the highest power output in this comparison and hence is the quickest off the line, while the BMW 7 Series has the least power output and yet is only marginally behind the XJ. The Audi A8 is the slowest of the lot, but the difference between the three is minuscule. The A8 also costs the most, but it is also the only one to feature an AWD system as standard.
The supercharged V6 engine is quite frugal returning 21 mpg of combined city and highway driving while the larger twin-turbocharged V8 engine also manages to return almost identical fuel economy figures. The fuel tank capacity at 23.8 gallons is one of the best and it translates to a healthy driving range of over 600 miles of highway cruising. Both the fuel economy figures and the driving ranges pretty well, considering it is an AWD car.
Model |
Audi A8 3.0T |
BMW 7 Series 740i |
Jaguar XJ |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
18 |
19 |
18 |
MPG (Highway) |
28 |
29 |
27 |
MPG (Combined) |
21 |
22 |
21 |
Fuel Capacity (gal) |
23.8 |
21.1 |
21.7 |
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles) |
428 / 666 / 500 |
401 / 612 / 464 |
391 / 586 / 456 |
The BMW 740i is marginally more frugal than the other two cars but the small gas tank translates to a shorter driving range than the A8. The XJ on the other hand has identical fuel economy like that of the A8 but the smaller gas tank results in the shortest driving range in this comparison.
Being the flagship sedan from the Audi stable, the A8 portrays the best Audi can in a sedan for factor. The exquisite materials combined with impeccable craftsmanship are one of the best you would ever see, while all the latest standard and optional gizmos are also second to none.
Comfort is of utmost importance here and the countless ways one can adjust both the front and rear row of seats makes for a very plush and relaxing experience, no matter how long the journey.
Model |
Audi A8 3.0T |
BMW 7 Series 740i |
Jaguar XJ |
---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
37.2 / 59.1 / 41.4 |
40.6 / 59.2 / 41.2 |
NA |
Rear Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
38.1 / 57.8 / 38.7 |
38.5 / 57.4 / 38.4 |
NA |
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) |
13.2 |
17.7 |
15.2 |
There is very little to differentiate between the cabin space of the three cars in this comparison as all offer abundant space both at the front and the back seat. The BMW has a marginally better headroom which makes it comfortable for taller passengers. It also has the largest trunk capacity which is a bit bigger than the Jaguar, while the A8 has a substantially smaller boot.
Audi’s MMI system is a treat for all the technophiles as there are plenty of functions and the display is bright and crisp, unlike any other in the segment.
The unique remote touchpad can also be used to write numbers and letters when needed and although it might look just like a novelty item at first, turns out really useful in the long run. Although there is a bit of a learning curve to the system, once you get used to it, it is very intuitive to use.
The exterior styling is in fact the only aspect that does not wow the buyers as the design is nothing out of the box or even something new. The quintessentially Audi design, with a long hood, large front grille flanked by sleek headlamps that flaunt the LED daytime running lights, all of which are similar to other Audi sedans. Although it does look good and stylish and there is no doubt about that, a little novelty in the design would have been a welcome change.
Model |
Audi A8 3.0T |
BMW 7 Series 740i |
Jaguar XJ |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
4,365 |
4,344 |
3,854 |
Length (in) |
202.2 |
199.8 |
201.9 |
Width (in) |
76.7 |
74.9 |
74.6 |
Height (in) |
57.5 |
58.3 |
57.3 |
Ground Clearance (in) |
5.7 |
5.6 |
4.1 |
Wheelbase (in) |
117.8 |
120.9 |
119.4 |
The BMW 7 Series is the shortest car here and yet offers the longest wheelbase while the marginally higher height translates to that additional headroom for the passengers. The Jaguar XJ is considerably lighter than the other two cars, thanks to its aluminum construction, but it compromises the ground clearance front.
The chances of crash testing a premium luxury sedan costing almost a hundred grand is next to zero and make sense too. But considering the fact that so many of the world’s most important and influential people bestow their lives in the hands of the cars like the new Audi A8, safety should not be an aspect to be worried about. That being said, there are plenty of safety features and driver aids on offer, and a highlight of it is listed below.
The Audi A8 offers one of the best experiences one can have in a sedan in almost every aspect, luxury, comfort, and even driving to a certain extent. It drives better than most other large luxury sedans and also offers a frugal range of engine options that are pretty brisk and powerful as well. Add to that the long list of technology, and we can only wonder why the A8 lags behind in the sales numbers.