Audi A8L 4.2 TDI India review: Sinners’ Paradise

Design and Aesthetics

The A8 follows the traditional template for a luxury limo – understatement with a hint of authority. The sheer length and width of the A8L is good enough to grant it the presence that a car in this category should have. Add to that the much admired proportions and sorted design of Audi sedans and you have a car that makes the right statement for its class. Matters have been kept rather simplistic with a big version of the familiar Audi grille doing the job of giving the A8 its familiar (probably too much of it) face. The angled LED lights on the flanks not only add a hint of aggression, but also help distinguish the A8’s face from the smaller sedan members in the Audi family.

A strong beltline running across the length, an accentuation on the doors slightly above the sills and flared arches. Things have been kept rather simple in profile. Two chiseled lines on the boot flanks, dual exhausts, an integrated boot lid spoiler and a horizontal line sending the license plate into a recess form the basis of the theme at the rear.The angular tail-lamps on the A8 are quite distinctive too, and help make the flagship try and stand out.

The A8 makes quite a strong statement. We love it for how it looks as a standalone limo – its subtly styled with just the right hint of assertiveness. The only grouse we have is the similarity with the other sedans, which doesn’t bode well for those looking for exclusivity.

Verdict

Quite simply put, the A8 is an exceptional car. It offers a great choice of engines, one of which we drove and which managed to leave us astounded with its incredible mix of power and refinement. It’s loaded tight with features and offers options which other cars in the segment don’t. The interior has just the right mix of classy craftsmanship and cutting edge tech. Its backseats are amongst the most comfortable you’ll find anywhere in the universe and are decidedly more feature laden than its peers. Also, the A8 has the uncanny ability to wrap itself around you in Dynamic mode and offer an appreciably sporty drive for its size and weight.

At a price of Rs 1.1 crore ex-showroom for the 4.2 liter TDI variant, the A8 is slightly more expensive than one of its competitors, but is less expensive than another. Also, the engine on the 4.2 TDI is substantially more powerful than the less expensive competitor. Moreover, the A8’s 3.0 TDI variant matches the similar spec competitor price wise.

The A8 is a smashing package. It has all the traditional traits of a super luxury saloon with just the right hint of cool. It’s supremely comfortable and laden with gizmos inside. Even with the new S-class on the horizon and the 7-series having received a recent mid-life facelift, the A8L makes for an extremely compelling buy in its segment.

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