Audi A8 2007 review

A classic long wheelbase luxury saloon, A8 is the flagship of the Audi range. It has been on sale in Australia since mid-1995 and is an exceptional piece of automotive engineering.

Since mid-2005 A8’s appearance has been enhanced by the use of the big bold ‘single-frame’ grille that is being gradually added to all Audi models. 

The most recent addition to the A8 range has been the addition of a turbo-diesel to its topline A8 series. Though there has been rapid acceleration in the acceptance of diesel engines over the few years, this is the first time that is has been offered in the upmarket saloon end of the market.

The new engine is a big 4.2-litre V8 turbocharged unit with a hefty 650 Newton metres between 1600 rpm and 3500 rpm, and 240 kilowatts at 3750 rpm. These torque numbers mean almost all drivers will be operating the engine in its most efficient range virtually all of the time.

It provides a tremendous surge of energy and can power from a standstill to 100 km/h in only 5.5 seconds. It took a sports car to accelerate like that not many years ago – a sports car with a thirsty petrol engine. Yet the Audi diesel’s official fuel figure is only 9.7 litres per hundred kilometres.

The new Audi A8 turbo diesel makes a superb long distance cruiser with the ability to soak up the worst of Australian roads, including some rough and ready dirt surfaces.

Four petrol engines are also available: 3.2-litre V6, 3.7-litre V8, 4.2-litre V8 and a 6.0-litre W12. The latter, which generates 331 kilowatts and 580 Newton metres, is a joint Audi/Volkswagen project, that effectively combines two compact V6 engines into one, hence W12, yet takes up only a similar amount of space to a typical V8.

The W12 engine is only available in the long wheelbase A8L model. The larger of the V8s is available with either wheelbase; the others only with the standard wheelbase.

The interior of the new A8 is as simple and elegant as its exterior. A variety of materials are offered and all seem to work equally well. As is to be expected from a company that boasts of advancement through technology, there is a multitude of alloy and other high-tech materials on offer. The choice comes down to whether you want pure elegance, an overtly sporty look, or something in between. 

The seats are set out for two rather than three, though a third can travel in reasonable comfort should there be the need to carry five.

There's plenty of stretch out space from the point of view of width and headroom. Legroom is plentiful, though not quite to stretch-limo standards, should those sitting in the front seats chose to have their seats a long way back they will start to intrude into the rear-seat space. Not badly so, but if your bosses are back there it would be a good idea to pay attention to the amount of room they have!

Ride comfort and noise reduction are features of this large Audi. It’s at its best on smooth motorways because its natural territory is the high-speed autobahns in Germany, but it can cope with the vagaries of rough Australian roads pretty well. Though there's a deliberate sporting note in the way the suspension is set up the system is variable and generally smoothes everything right out. 

Model Range

A8 3.2 FSI 3.2-litre four-door sedan - $159,000
A8L 3.2 FSI 3.2-litre four-door sedan - $159,000
A8 4.2-litre quattro four-door sedan - $204,500
A8 TDI 4.2-litre diesel quattro four-door sedan - $210,000
A8L 4.2-litre quattro four-door sedan - $219,600
A8L 6.0-litre W12 quattro four-door sedan - $326,00