Audi has released the details of its 2014 A8 flagship sport saloon ahead of the car’s debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
The new A8 will arrive with “a nearly aluminum body (and) subtle resculpting of the bonnet, the single frame grille, the front bumper and the lower edge of the headlight units,” according to Audi. It will be equipped with Matrix LED technology that adjust to driving conditions.
The A8 will be sold in seven upgraded petrol and TDI engine models, from the supercharged 3.0 TFSI petrol engine with 310 PS, up from 290 PS; to V-8 twin-turbo 4.0 TFSI, with 435 PS, up from 420 PS.
Meanwhile, the 3.0 TDI clean diesel engine boasts 258 PS and the 4.2 TDI diesel produces 385 PS. Outfitted with quattro all-wheel drive, the 4.0 TFSI enables the A8 to sprint 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds. The 3.0 TDI diesel is most fuel-efficient at 47.9 mpg.
At the highest performance level, the 520 PS S8 with a 4.0 TFSI engine cuts the 0-62 time to 4.2 seconds while cylinder on demand technology enables fuel efficiency to hover around 28 mpg. Active Noise Cancellation is standard in the A8 4.0 TFSI quattro, the A8 L W12 quattro and the A8 hybrid. The A8 sports an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission in all six, eight and twelve-cylinder versions.
Inside, the A8 trims include woods Fine grain poplar brown-silver and Fine grain ash brown-gold natural as well as the leather Unikat, described as “natural-looking, soft and breathable.” Infotainment features include Audi connect, a Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System and a Rear Seat Entertainment system with two displays, Bluetooth headphones and a DVD player.
The A8 will arrive in United Kingdom dealership in January and roll out worldwide later in 2014. Prices will be announced closer to that time.
Photo Credit: Audi
