Audi A8

Timing is everything. Back in 2017 the fourth-generation Audi A8 was supposed to be the car that debuted Level 3 autonomous driving to the world. Audi was ready, but legislators weren’t, so the debut was put on hold.

Fast-forward to December 2021, and it was arch-rival Mercedes-Benz that made headlines by becoming the first car-maker in the world to offer legally approved Level 3 capability in the W223 S-Class. The mid-life facelift of the A8 has come at just the right moment. It gives Audi something to say about its flagship sedan.

Okay, it’s mainly a cosmetic nip-and-tuck, rather than a big-ticket technology upgrade, but given that Mercedes-Benz’s Level 3 self-driving technology is only approved for use in Germany, Audi’s facelift is arguably more relevant talking point to customers around the globe. Though unless they’re Audi aficionados, they’ll probably be hard-pressed to see what’s new.

The most visible change is at the front, where the single-frame grille has been made even bolder and more aggressive. It’s still roughly hexagonal in shape, but it’s wider and the corners on either side have been positioned closer towards the bonnet. The new grille, which makes the slightly slab-sided A8 look lower and wider, is flanked by more upright air intakes and redesigned headlights.

Speaking of which, the headlights are the car’s big tech story: The optional Digital Matrix LED headlights use 1.3 million micro-mirrors that break the light down into tiny pixels that can be controlled and directed with great precision. As such, the lights can automatically adjust their spread and brightness to effectively throw a shadow around other vehicles while keeping everything else brightly illuminated.

Audi’s S-Line trim, including the option of the black appearance package, makes its first appearance on the A8 option list. Customers have been asking for it, apparently

The rear bumper has also been redesigned to incorporate a new diffuser graphic while S8 models get a pair of bazooka-calibre chrome exhaust pipes peeking out from under the bumper on either side of the car. All A8s now feature customizable digital OLED taillights with a continuous light strip that runs the full width of the car.

Four new colours have been added to the exterior palette; District Green, Firmament Blue, Manhattan Gray, and Ultra Blue, the last the signature shade for the S8. Five matte finishes; Daytona Gray, Floret Silver, District Green, Terra Gray, and Glacier White – are now also available.

Depending on market, the A8 is available with wheels ranging in size from 18-inch to 21in, and just to make things more complicated for the guys in the factory, six new designs have been added to the
already extensive list.

Audi’s sporty S-Line trim, including the option of a black appearance package, makes its first appearance on the A8 option list. Customers have been asking for it, apparently.

While Australian customers will only be offered the 210kW, 600Nm, 3.0-litre TDI V6 in the A8 and long wheelbase A8 L, and the 420kW, 800Nm, 4.0-litre TFSI V8 in the S8, other markets are spoiled for choice, with the 250kw 3.0-litre TSFI V6 and 338kW 4.0-litre TFSI V8 included in the mix.

The most interesting A8 powertrain is the PHEV, where the petrol V6 and an e-motor integrated in the eight-speed automatic transmission work together to deliver 340kW and 700Nm.

A 17.9kWh battery gives a pure EV range of 100km, and on a trip the intelligent nav system can figure out the most optimal mix of combustion and electrical power to help deliver near-V6 diesel levels of efficiency with near-V8 petrol levels of performance.

At 4.9 seconds, the A8 PHEV, badged '60 TFSI e quattro' is a full second quicker to 100km/h than the A8 50 TDI. At low speeds, on e-power, this A8 is as quiet as a Rolls-Royce and out on the open road, the transitions between the e-motor and the petrol V6 are so smooth as to be almost imperceptible. It’s a terrific all-rounder. But it’s not currently on the menu for Australia, sadly.

The most enjoyable powertrain, unsurprisingly, belongs to the S8. The twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8’s 420kW and 800Nm is delivered to the accompaniment of a nicely muted baritone burble that is only slightly amplified when you switch to Dynamic mode.

The S8 is an A8 with the lot. Standard equipment includes rear-wheel steering, the sport rear differential, and predictive active suspension

The S8 is an A8 with the lot. Standard equipment includes rear-wheel steering, the sport rear differential, and predictive active suspension. The suspension uses actuators at each wheel to counter cornering loads rather than electrically twisting a stabiliser bar across the axle, and delivers a surprisingly supple ride, with very low noise levels, even though the big sedan scarcely rolls through corners or pitches under acceleration and braking.

Despite carrying 56 per cent of its weight over the front axle, the S8 turns in nicely, helped by the Quattro system’s ability to boost the amount of torque funnelled to the rear wheels from 60 per cent to as much as 85 per cent. The standard sport rear diff ensures the rear wheels get as much of that torque to the tarmac as possible.

The S8 is a big sedan that is calm and fast, confident and comfortable; the sort of car you could happily hustle 1000km in a day and step out at the end of it feeling relaxed and ready for a chilled glass of champagne. And it would have to be champagne, because the refreshed S8 isn’t for those of us on a beer budget.

Final prices haven’t been confirmed, but Audi Australia confirms we can expect a small increase on the current pricing when the refreshed A8, A8 L, and S8 models arrive mid-year, reflecting a focus on higher levels of standard equipment. That suggests the A8 will start at about $230,000, and the S8 at about $285,000 (both before on-road costs and options).