Overall Rating |  |
This luxury super-saloon features a clever aluminium construction with the Quattro four-wheel drive as standard. Excellent standard equipment and build quality as you would expect. Looks wise not the most stylish.
For
- Elegant and more discreet than an S Class
- Lightweight alloy body enhances V8 performance
- Roomy, refined and very well appointed
Against
- Looks too similar to the previous A8
- High insurance and servicing costs
- Not popular in UK, so depreciation is heavy
Road Test
The A8 is massive, both outside and in even though it looks like a bigger A4. The cabin is light, airy and spacious. Ergonomics are good, although some of the switchgear feels slightly old-fashioned by modern standards, especially the heater controls. Many control functions are delegated to a turn-and-click knob, dubbed MMI, which takes some getting used to, although is far better than BMW's i-Drive. Rear seat space is generous and the boot in huge by class standards. Two V8 petrol engines are available from launch - in 3.7 and 4.2 litre flavours - both offering extremely rapid performance through the standard-fit six-speed automatic gearbox. Handling is responsive if not quite up to the excellence of the Jaguar XJ or BMW 7 Series and the ride can get crashy on the larger optional alloy wheels. Other versions follow later, including a 4.0 litre V8 turbodiesel and a 6.0 litre petrol W12.
Need To Know
NCAP: Not tested
Best Models: 3.7 Quattro
Worst Models: None
Replacement: 2010*
Alternatives
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Star Ratings
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