eBusiness Weekly
Brimming with technology inside and underneath, the 2021 Audi A8 takes the flagship ball and runs with it. Its interior is awash with screens that can make it feel cold, but the smooth, powerful engines, sophisticated suspension, and high-end luxury warm our hearts.
We rate the 2021 A8 at 7,2 out of 10 and that’s before we’ve driven the plug-in hybrid or the sporty and powerful S8.
Audi sells the A8 in four models: 55 TFSI quattro, 60 TFSI quattro, plug-in hybrid 60 TFSI e quattro, and S8. They’re all long-wheelbase versions of the car. Short wheelbase A8s are not offered in the US. The 2021 A8 55 TFSI starts at US$87 495, including destination, while the S8 costs at least US$131,895.
The base 55 TFSI quattro model is powered by a 335-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-litre V-6 with more than enough power. The engine is quiet and smooth and it teams well with a slick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. The plug-in hybrid uses the same engine teamed with an electric motor and a 14,1-kwh lithium-ion battery for a total of 443 hp. It improves both fuel economy and acceleration.
The A8 60 TFSI quattro and S8 both get a twin-turbo 4,0-liter V-8 that makes 453 hp in the 60 and 563HP in the S8. Audi says the V-8 models can hit 96,5km/h from a stop in 4,5 and 3,8 seconds, respectively.
Audi tunes the A8 for comfort. The standard air suspension and adaptive dampers smooth out the ride even in Dynamic mode, though the A8 can feel floaty in its Comfort setting. The Comfort setting also neuters throttle response.
Buyers can opt for equipment to make the A8 sportier. An active rear differential improves traction, while rear-axle steering increases agility. The S8 comes standard with these features and has sportier suspension settings. An available predictive suspension uses cameras to read the road ahead and prepares the dampers for ruts and bumps to come.
The A8 isn’t here to ruffle any feathers design-wise. It’s stately and attractive but conservative on the outside with an interior that mixes that conservative nature with abundant technology. Three screens, including a digital instrument cluster and two touchscreens, provide a wealth of information and controls for the driver. The infotainment system may be complex, but it’s intuitive. With the right package, even the rear seat passengers can commandeer some controls. And every seating position, with the exception of the middle rear, has plenty of room.
Audi outfits all A8 models with automatic emergency braking, but most of the driver-assistance features are optional, which is disappointing at these prices.
Audi gives the 2021 A8 a stylish, but conservative exterior that hides a clean, high-tech cabin.
The 2021 Audi A8 doesn’t stand out as bold in a class that appreciates discretion. The look is clean and conservative on the outside, high-tech and smartly appointed on the inside. We give the A8’s body and cabin each a point above average for a score of 7 out of 10 for styling.
The A8 features a wide trapezoidal grill up front flanked by thin angular headlights that slot right into the grille’s upper section and have their own signature LED lighting elements. Lower air intakes complete the face and add to the wide look of the front end. The profile is largely slab-sided, broken up by a lower character line. The rear has a fill-width tail light panel that gives the car visual width and performs a little light dance upon startup. The rear also helps break up the slab-sided look with some curviness, and the whole car is highlighted with chrome trim to denote its luxury within.
Inside, the A8’s multiple screens and luxurious wood, aluminum, and leather comes off like a smartly appointed modern office. Warmer colours and wood create a more inviting environment, while colder colours and carbon fibre make for a starker, more clinical feel. No matter the trim choices, the A8 is assembled with care as evidenced by the tight fit and finish.
The 2021 Audi A8 delivers smooth, effortless power and a buttery ride.
The 2021 Audi A8 lineup consists of four models with four kinds of performance, though we haven’t driven the S8 or plug-in hybrid. However, even the base turbocharged V-6 model offers plenty of performance. We award the A8 points for its power delivery, and combination of creamy ride and capable handling. That earns it a 7 out of 10 for performance.
Every A8 makes smooth luxury its first mission, though sportiness is also part of the mix when desired. It all starts with a multi-material platform that uses aluminum, steel, magnesium, and carbon fibre to save weight and create a rigid structure. That is underpinned by a standard air suspension with adaptive dampers, and an optional predictive suspension that can read the road ahead and prepare the dampers for what’s coming.
In its default setting, the suspension is a little too soft and the body can waft on the freeway and dip during braking. The suspension soaks up the bumps though, and passengers ride in tranquil comfort.
The ride even remains comfortable in Dynamic mode, which also takes the throttle response from dull to sharp. In Dynamic mode, the A8’s handling is impressively nimble for such a large car, and it can be improved with available rear-axle steering that steers the rear wheels as much as 5 degrees opposite of the fronts at lower speeds. An available active rear differential helps distribute power on the rear axle for best traction coming out of a corner, too.
The base turbo V-6 makes 335 HP and 369 pound-feet of torque to launch the all-wheel-drive A8 L 55 TFSI quattro to 96,5km/h in 5.6 seconds. It works well with the smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission to deliver power when needed.
The A8 60 TFSI quattro summons 453 HP from a turbo 4.0-litre V-8 and cuts the 0-60 mph time to 4.5 seconds. Both engines provide waves of willing power aided by the smooth-shifting and alert 8-speed automatic transmission. Both engines qualify as mild hybrids due to their 48-volt electrical system and belt-alternator/starter that makes the stop/start feature quick and drama-free.
Also on the way are the S8, with a 563-hp version of the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8, and a plug-in hybrid that pairs the V-6 with electric motors powered by a 14.1-kwh lithium-ion battery pack to make 443 HP. The S8 gets rear-wheel steering and the active rear differential as standard, plus summer performance tires on 21-inch wheels. It hits 60 mph in 3.8 seconds while the plug-in hybrid balances fuel economy with performance and launches the car to 96,5km/h in about 4.9 seconds.
We haven’t driven either model, but will report back once we do.
The 2021 Audi A8’s interior is high tech and high comfort.
The 2021 Audi A8’s cabin is at once soothing, luxurious, and bristling with technology. Its roomy front and rear seats, ability to coddle passengers, and high-quality materials earn it a 9 out of 10 for comfort and quality on our scale.
Even base versions of the A8 do their best to coddle occupants in luxury. — Wires.
