AN ALL-NEW luxury Audi A8 goes on sale in spring 2010, boasting the latest advances in high-specification travel but the lowest emissions in the class.
Three engines will be available at launch, but the key powertrain, a 3.0-litre TDI engine, will join the range during 2010. Forgoing the quattro four-wheel drive to drive the front wheels only, it will combine a 204PS engine with 47.1mpg economy and CO2 emissions of just 159g/km.
The fact that the car dips below the 160g/km barrier will have several advantages for professional drivers. It means that the full cost of the rental under contract hire can be put against the p&l account; and for firms buying the car, the Audi A8 will go into the 20% writing down allowance tax band, rather than the less favourable 10% band.
This is how the luxury A8 compares to its current market rivals:
- Audi A8 3.0-litre TDI FWD, 159g/km CO2, 22% company car tax band
- BMW 7 Series 730d SE, 178g/km CO2, 26% company car tax band
- Jaguar XJ 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury LWB, 184g/km, 27% company car tax band
- Lexus LS600h L, 219g/km, 28% company car tax band
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY SWB, 199g/km, 30% company car tax band
However, the Audi A8 also packs a whole host of new technologies, including fuel-saving start-stop technology on the 3.0 TDI.
There’s an advanced satellite navigation system that can influence the gear shift pattern by reading hte road ahead, while there’s also adaptive four-mode air springs. This system has been enhanced to provide additional ride comfort by newly developed struts with enlarged air capacity, and is now backed up by the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system. Audi drive select enables the driver to fine-tune throttle response, steering assistance and transmission shift points to suit personal preferences or prevailing road conditions.
New safety levels also include Audi’s pre-sense system with adaptive restraint system as standard.
The Audi A8 will be available in two specification levels: SE and SE Executive. The higher specification SE Executive includes electrically operated boot closing; Audi’s Parking System Advanced with rear parking camera; and larger 19-inch wheels in place of the 18-inch design fitted to SE models.
You will also be able to specify all-LED headlights in place of the standard Xenon set-up for a more distinctive appearance. And for even greater opulence there’s five-mode seats with ventilation and massage function, a rear seat entertainment package and a 1,400-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system.
New Audi A8 on the road prices
- A8 3.0 TDI quattro SE, £54,760
- A8 3.0 TDI quattro SE Executive, £57,310
- A8 4.2 FSI quattro SE, £61,640
- A8 4.2 FSI quattro SE Executive, £64,190
- A8 4.2 TDI quattro SE, £63,690
- A8 4.2 TDI quattro SE Executive, £66,240
