2013 Audi A8 facelift review, test drive

Are subtle styling tweaks, incrementally improved engines and new headlight technology enough to keep the big Audi relevant?

Published on Oct 29, 2013 07:45:00 PM

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2013 Audi A8 facelift review, test drive

The cabin layout remains the same, with the button-festooned central console and MMI interface remaining the center of attention. Buyers get to choose from even more leather and veneer trims (Audi offers a range of vegetable extract tanned leathers) and the passenger spaces feel even richer than before with excellent quality levels (Audi says that the A8 cabins are virtually hand-crafted) ensuring that this aspect remains one of the A8’s biggest draws.

As with its predecessor, the A8 comes with the range different petrol and diesel engines including the popular 3.0-litre V6 diesel, a 4.2-litre V8 diesel (the only engine of its kind in class) and a 493bhp 6.0-litre W12. Above this is the new S8, which continues to run a 520bhp version of Audi’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8. All the power units have been fettled to deliver more power, improve efficiency (with a focus on reducing C02 emissions and thus taxes for European markets) and adhere to the upcoming Euro 6 emission norms.

We drove the 3.0-litre V6 diesel that will be the most popular engine choice in the Indian market. This engine gains 8bhp and 3.04kgm over the older motor, pushing its max outputs up to 254bhp and 59.17kgm. Drive is channelled via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and Audi’s Quattro torque-sensing four-wheel drive system. Along with the mechanical changes, moves to improve engine isolation through the addition of new sound deadening materials has clearly paid dividends, endowing the strongest-selling A8 with even more impressive mechanical refinement, which is now at or near the levels of the luxury car competition.