First report: Audi’s flagship sedan enters our fleet and turns a driving fanatic right into a relaxed rear-seat passenger.
I have to confess, the notion of lounging in a automotive with my toes stretched out alongside the chauffeur appeared a bit decadent at first, however fairly frankly, it’s an indulgence I’ve rapidly gotten used to. The rear seat rest bundle on the Audi A8L is, in truth, an enormous promoting level for a automotive wherein most homeowners received’t enterprise past the again seat. I’ve to say that it’s the comfiest spot on 4 wheels I’ve skilled in a very long time, and the Audi A8L is probably the one automotive wherein I’ve spent extra time within the again than within the entrance. It additionally helps that we’ve bought a brand new chauffeur (Simson) who drives easily and safely permitting me to utterly calm down and ‘savour’ bumper-to-bumper enterprise class journey.
With a protracted and steady press of a button (it actually ought to be a one-touch operation), the rear seat reclines, the entrance passenger seat strikes ahead, and a footrest elegantly drops down, offering most consolation. And if you issue within the A8L’s glorious sound insulation and plush experience high quality, you possibly can truly tolerate Mumbai’s infamous site visitors and potholes. Paradoxically, when caught within the mom of all jams one night in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complicated (BKC), I used to be on the flawed finish of the automotive – behind the wheel. So as an alternative of placing my toes up and productively immersing myself in my telephone, I used to be on and off the throttle and brake pedals.
The A8L isn’t a foul automotive to drive however inching ahead on the fee of 1kph isn’t anybody’s thought of getting enjoyable. Nevertheless, what the BKC snarl did successfully spotlight is how completely clean the A8L’s eight-speed torque converter computerized is. There’s no DCT jerkiness, however a gradual construct up of torque, which augments its excellent low-speed driveability and luxury in congested site visitors.
Wooden-finished aircon vents glide open and shut.
Spending prolonged hours within the A8L, you begin appreciating its finer particulars, and there are many them within the cabin. I simply love the best way the aircon vents glide open and shut, and may solely think about what number of engineering hours will need to have gone into their design. The dash-mounted tweeters of the Bang & Olufsen sound system additionally rise and go down with related grace if you flip the ignition on and off. The fabric high quality too is completely exemplary with wooden inlays harking back to upscale furnishings.
Wi-fi charging pad in central field inconvenient to entry.
I’m not a fan of piano-black finishes as they spotlight even the tiniest of imperfections in them, however the piano-black sections on the sprint and centre console within the A8L are simply flawless. The sofa-like seats are an epitome of consolation, and don’t have that further and pointless layer of firmness you discover within the newest Mercedes seats.
Twin-screen system menu feels dated and wishes an overhaul.
However for all its exemplary end and ergonomic perfection, the A8L’s cabin is, properly, boring. And each time I come again to it after a drive in a brand new Merc or BMW, its lack of wow issue is much more apparent. The digital shows and on-board tech in all Audis are actually a technology behind and really feel dated. Additionally, the dual screens on the centre console are smudge magnets and may drive you nuts for those who like holding issues neat.
Excellent experience high quality and good clearance.
A drive to Mahabaleshwar gave the A8L an opportunity to stretch its lengthy legs, and on the Mumbai-Pune expressway and even the single-lane, rain-ravaged highway from Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar, the A8L was a real star (pun meant!). The best way it floated over dangerous roads epitomised the excellent experience consolation trendy Audis are recognized for.
The three.0-litre, V6 petrol isn’t a firecracker, but it surely nonetheless delivers a way of urgency if you want it. Gasoline effectivity? On the drive as much as Mahabaleshwar, I bought 6.7kpl, however on the best way again – descending from 4,500 toes to sea stage – gravity was my good friend and helped me get a powerful 9.2kpl. Within the metropolis, effectivity different between 6-8kpl.
Defective TPMS indicated lack of stress
Glitches? The TPMS threw up an error reporting a lack of air within the entrance tyre when fortunately there was no leak. The very last thing I wished on my evening drive again from Mahabaleshwar was to vary a flat on an unlit freeway.
Residing with the A8L, I used to be smitten with its understated class and excellent consolation. Sure, this automotive has actually aged, however the consolatory reality is that it has achieved so gracefully.
Additionally see:
Audi Q3 long run evaluation, 8400km report
