New Audi A8 in Blackburn, Carlisle, Crewe, Preston, Stafford and Stoke

The flagship at the head of the Audi range, the A8 is the pinnacle of modern luxury driving. It combines refined saloon styling with effortless performance and a beautifully-appointed interior of the highest quality to create the definitive Audi experience.

Exterior design

Three trim levels are offered – SE Executive, Sport and Black Edition. All boast sleek, classic lines finished in metallic or pearl-effect paints, with imposing alloy wheels and the familiar oversized grille common to all Audis.

SE Executive and Sport models include chrome-effect detailing on the grille, around the windows and on the bumpers to reaffirm the A8’s luxury status. The Black Edition, meanwhile, offers a high-gloss black styling package, even darkening the glass on the rear light housings to elevate the car to new heights of mystery and intrigue.

Rear passengers in all models will enjoy the additional privacy offered by tinted glass, while all-LED lighting to the front and rear offers optimum visibility in all weathers.

Interior design

Every inch of the A8’s cabin reflects its status as head of the Audi family, with quality stitched leather seating and near-obsessive attention to detail creating an impression of opulence at every corner.

The touch-sensitive MMI system and eight-inch high-resolution TFT display dominate the dashboard, offering intuitive control of many of the car’s on-board systems. The result is a more streamlined dash, liberated of many of the confusing buttons you would expect to find on other luxury models.

Swipe your foot under the rear bumper with the key in your pocket and the boot lid will open to reveal a generous 510-litre space, swallowing everything you might need to carry. Up front, a huge range of electronic seat and steering wheel adjustments means drivers of all sizes can find a comfortable driving position in the sumptuous seats.

Performance

Audi endows the A8 with an unusual aluminium construction that reduces weight while offering improved rigidity, reducing fuel consumption while improving driving dynamics. There are two engines to choose from – a 3.0 TDI and a 4.2 TDI, both equipped with Audi’s celebrated quattro all-wheel drive system.

While the 3.0 TDI will provide more than ample power for most drivers, the 4.2 TDI offers supercar-matching performance for those who crave it, stopping the clock at exactly five seconds on the 0-60 sprint. Whichever you choose you’ll also enjoy unmatched refinement, the engine staying serenely quiet until you really prod the accelerator, when a pleasing growl is the only hint that you’re driving a diesel. Generous torque figures mean tremendous in-gear acceleration, and the eight-speed tiptronic gearbox ensures every last ounce of performance is transmitted to the road without fuss or delay.

Technology and safety

The car’s designers have grabbed the opportunity to showcase their latest innovations with both hands, creating the most technologically-advanced A8 ever. Sport and Black Edition models incorporate an impressive Bose surround sound system, while all include an additional colour display between the dials for navigation and other vital information, meaning the driver can spend more time concentrating on the road.

Automatic Start-Stop technology switches the engine off when the car comes to a standstill, reducing fuel use in heavy traffic, while cruise control will help you relax in comfort on longer journeys. A standard rear-parking camera should help the paintwork stay in showroom condition.

There’s a seemingly-endless list of additional options to create a truly personalised experience, including a night vision camera with pedestrian recognition, massaging rear seats, and lots more.