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Quattro

Limousine Style: 2017 Audi A8L

January 19, 2017 by admin 5 Comments

Audi’s flagship has limousine-like room at the ready.

2017 Audi A8L

The Audi A8L is a flagship luxury sedan, an all-wheel drive conveyance presented as an extended (A8L) wheelbase model only. A standard wheelbase model (A8) was also offered through 2016, then discontinued. This means that all 2016 and 2017 Audi A8L models reflect an extra 5.1 inches between the wheels with none shorter.

All-wheel drive is standard for this five-passenger sedan, a vehicle that starts just above $80,000 and pushes the six-figure mark when every conceivable upgrade and option is selected.

2017 Audi A8L

Audi offers a pair of engine choices with the A8L line. A turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 is standard with the 3.0 TSFI edition ($82,500), offering 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. This model makes an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Notably, your 0-60 mph time comes in at 5.5 seconds according to Audi.

Standard with the 4.0 TFSI Sport model ($91,500) is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with 450 horsepower and 444 pound-feet of torque. This version makes an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Importantly, Audi claims a blistering 0-60 mph time of just 4.4 seconds.

Both engines come paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

2017 Audi A8L

Audi has developed multiple permutations of its famed “quattro” all-wheel drive system. The arrangement with the A8 supplies a 40:60 torque split, which means up to 60 percent of the torque is sent to the rear wheels, as needed.

If you fancy yet more power the Audi S8 Plus is also available, packed with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 making a jaw-dropping 605 horsepower and 517 pound-feet of torque. Marketed separate from the A8L, the S8 Plus starts at $115,900. Your 0-60 mph time comes in at a stunning 3.3 seconds. Who knew so much power could be found in such a stately sedan?

Your Choice of Packages

It is easy to opt for package upgrades with luxury models and Audi is no exception. Our test model had four packages — executive ($6,900), luxury ($2,800), rear seat comfort ($2,500), and driver assistance ($2,250). The packages were represented as follows:

1. Executive — The most comprehensive of the included packages, the Executive package dressed this sedan in 20-inch, 10-spoke star design wheels wrapped with all-season tires; a panoramic sunroof; Audi side assist and pre-sense rear; a top view camera system; head-up display; 22-way power front seats; a rear seat pass-through; heated rear outboard seats; and a heated steering wheel with paddle shifters.

2. Luxury — The standard Valetta leather seats are beautiful to behold, but the luxury package brings in exceptional Comfort Valcona sport seats with diamond stitching. The other upgrade is an Alcantara headliner.

2017 Audi A8L

3. Rear Seat Comfort — In most cars, passengers battle for the front right seat. But with the rear seat comfort package, making the choice to sit in the rear has its own special benefits. For starters, there is a front passenger seat adjustment from the rear seat. This is especially ideal when it is just you and the driver — here, you can sit behind the front passenger and adjust that space as you see fit. The package also brings in separate power outboard rear seats, and both ventilation and massage functions.

4. Driver Assistance — The last package brought in four amenities: high-beam assist, active lane assist, pre sense plus, and adaptive cruise control.

Along with the $950 destination fee, the price for our test model topped out at $97,900. But Audi also delivered a $5,400 credit on the executive package, reducing this big sedan’s final price to $92,500.

Exterior Highlights

Audi supplies a near consistent design across its entire sedan line. Indeed, the A3, A4, A6, A7, and A8 share a common theme.

From the large, trapezoidal grille to its notched rear deck, the similarities are evident. But there are differences too, including in the way the headlights are designed and presented, the embrasures for housing the fog lamps, the choice of exterior colors, number of character lines offered, and body sculpting details.

The A8L comes dressed in 19-, 20-, or 21-inch wheels. Summer tires are standard; all-season tires are available. Multiple wheel design choices can be had with some options included with the package upgrades.

2017 Audi A8L

Interior Highlights

The Audi A8L seats five, but is best used by four. The reason? The rear seat compartment offers personal seat selection for passengers, including seat reclining, heating, cooling, and massaging. Add in personalized control of the windows, shades, air, and sound, and each seat cosset the passenger. Of course, opting for the Rear Seat Comfort package mentioned earlier supplies optimum comfort.

2017 Audi A8LBut things up front are quite comfortable too. Standard 18-way power front seats get the job done. Leather, wood, and other high-end materials grace the interior, raising this model to ultimate status. The generous size of the cabin means all controls are appropriately placed — nothing is cluttered, although there is certainly much to consider.

The lines are clean, everything is fitted firmly and carefully, and the cabin is serene. Standard equipment includes four-zone climate control, a power tilt and telescopic steering column, a sunroof, ambient lighting, and power sunshades.

Safety and Tech Highlights

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has crash tested most Audi models, but not the A8/A8L. Figure the high cost of testing this model has saved it from a proper bang up. On the other hand, the midsize A6 has been tested and it carries a Top Safety Pick rating.

As for the feds, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also avoided busting the A8L and probably for the same reasons. As for the smaller A6, it received the administration’s highest score, five stars, across all three testing categories — frontal crash, side crash, and rollover. Therefore, we can safely deduce that the A8L has similar safety credentials.

2017 Audi A8L

On the tech front, the Audi A8L comes with all the expected amenities, including Bluetooth, satellite radio, an in-dash CD player, and dual SD card slots. You’ll also find a lovely 14-speaker Bose audio system with an output of 630 watts and noise cancellation technology. The one demerit, however, has to do with device connectivity — connecting cables are used instead of USB ports. Where other Audi models have made the transition to universal connectivity, the A8L lags here.

I’m a fan of Audi’s MMI system, what ties in navigation, phone, media, radio, and other in-car features to one display. The system is thorough and once it is understood it works quite well. The color display also serves up other information, including driver and front passenger massaging. Controlled by switches on the side of the seat, this feature provides five different types of massages — wave, pulse, stretch, lumbar, and shoulder. Moreover, you have up to five pressure levels to select. Truly, this was the best in-car massaging system I’ve experienced to date.

On the Road

Who needs a V8 when a turbocharged V6 engine will do? Likely, plenty of people will be satisfied by the amount of power offered by the base engine — I know I was.

Audi does an excellent job with each of its powertrain systems anyway. This one unites a boosted V6 with an eight-speed transmission and throws in paddle shifters for good measure. The only thing is that the shifters are of the small, plastic variety so there’s no titanium steel shifting thrills available when you work them.

2017 Audi A8L

What you do get is an engine with ample off-the-mark acceleration and stellar passing power — two attributes common to most luxury sedans. The transmission shifts smoothly with no gear hunting experienced. Yes, slight turbo lag is evident, especially when you floor it. It is the one trade-off you have with this forced-induction engine.

The big Audi rides quietly, absorbs bumps handily, and offers a soft as well as composed riding experience. One could say that the seats do an excellent job alone to provide that comfort — and they do. But the long wheelbase and adaptive suspension system contribute as well. Certainly, you’re not considering this model for its handling prowess, but it does remarkably well in this department too: steering is light to the touch and the big sedan stays planted on the twisty roads. Enough said.

Parting Thoughts

The Audi A8L has several noteworthy competitors, including the BMW 750Li, Lexus LS, and the Mercedes-Benz S550. Consumers might also cross shop the Genesis G90 and the Maserati Quattroporte. Two other Audi models to consider include the A7 Premium and the Audi S8.

Unless you absolutely must have V8 power, the standard V6 model should be sufficient. In addition to the four packages mentioned earlier, a dynamic package ($2,500) adds a sport differential and dynamic steering, the latter altering the steering ratio depending on the vehicle speed, while adjusting the steering torque to match the ratio concurrently. Opt for one of two wheel upgrades and your final price will come in around $95,000. That’s still lower than what German competitors charge and for a more efficient model at that.

All in all, the Audi A8L represents a fantastic example of German craftsmanship. This model goes from strength to strength, bringing with it optimum levels of style, luxury, comfort, and technology — most certainly, only when Audi finally exchanges the annoying device cables for proper USB ports will this writer be completely satisfied.

2017 Audi A8L


Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.


See Also — Compact Luxury Performance Sedan: Audi S3

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2017 Audi A8L, 2017 cars, all-wheel drive, Audi A8, Audi Connect, IIHS, leather, massaging seats, Quattro, turbocharged

Compact Luxury Performance Sedan: Audi S3

December 9, 2016 by admin 3 Comments

This small luxury sedan is big on performance.

Audi S3
2017 Audi S3.

You won’t find a smaller sedan in the Audi lineup than the A3, an attainable entry-level model for this German luxury brand. The A3 is underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s MQB (modular) platform, what also powers other Audi models, including the TT.

2017 Audi S3

Although the A3 may be a sufficient daily driver for some, an S3 variant simply changes everything. In Audi parlance, any model with an S replacing the expected “A” or “Q” is a sport performance model. This means the usual turbocharger simply isn’t enough.

Instead, Audi combines direct and port injection to boost performance to 292 horsepower and deliver 280 pound-feet of torque. Pair this engine with a dual-clutch transmission and make all-wheel drive standard, and you have a potent little number under your control.

More than that, the Audi S3 is simply a blast to drive!

2017 Audi S3

Not Perfect, But What Model Is?

The S3 is not a perfect vehicle, and as with any performance model there are the usual detractors.

Notably, the back seat is abysmally small, useful for holding a car seat or two, but certainly not adult passengers — unless the driver is small and sits as far forward as possible. Further, some might object to all-wheel drive, preferring traditional rear-wheel drive and nothing else.

Please allow me to share this salient piece of information: you have to drive the S3 to fully appreciate it — this little sedan snarls, barks, and bites when it is unleashed.

Moreover, the S3 is surprisingly fast, even when you least expect it. Yes, Audi claims a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds (6.6 seconds for the A3), but what you must also know is this performance sedan tends to go fast without much coaxing.

Indeed, more than once I found myself driving well above the speed limit with no effort or little thought. That I didn’t get pulled for a speeding ticket is amazing.

Small cars must be more difficult to design, especially for luxury manufacturers. With less sheet metal to work with, the many special design elements found in larger vehicles must be applied to a smaller frame. This doesn’t always work well either. For instance, the Lexus NX reflects the brand’s design language, but the spindle grille overwhelms the front fascia and the deep sculpting along the sides seems out of place.

For Audi, the A3/S3 presented a similar challenge, but the overall design is clean, smooth, and elegant. The sedan’s powerful front fascia is marked by a distinctive trapezoidal grille honed in by LED-accented headlights and sporty embrasures housing the fog lights.

The frontal presentation is sporty, even mean — see this sedan in your rear mirror and you’d quickly take notice.

A high beltline, sloping roofline, body sculpting, sport skirting, and fashionable alloy wheels mark the profile. From the back, you’ll find a raised rear deck, a trunk lip spoiler, wraparound combination lamps, and a diffuser amplified by quad exhaust tips.

2017 Audi S3

Spartan as She Goes

Audi interiors are typically straightforward — big on practicality, including design and function, but not overwhelmed by clutter or gadgetry. Some brands place an emphasis on electronic interfaces, including the dashboard. Instead, Audi welcomes you with a dual analog display with a sizable digital display between the two. The layout is sensible and attractive.

All S3 models come with a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel. You’ll also find two of the most comfortable bucket seats up front — the design is unusual and appears almost otherworldly. Round dials, metal pedals, door pockets, and a pop-up screen are among the other highlights present.

As the driver, you’ll find the seat comfortable, supportive, and the sightlines excellent. The interior is quiet and there’s really nothing more you can want, except perhaps an S6 if a six-cylinder engine and a roomier rear seat are important to you.

2017 Audi S3

Technology and Safety

When it comes to technology, Audi is second to none. The MMI navigation plus system with voice control is included in the Prestige trim ($48,400) or can be had in a $3,000 technology package for the Premium trim ($42,900).

What’s great here is the screen emerges from the dashboard and features orange and white lettering on a black background — it is very easy on the eyes and not diminished by glare. The screen is managed by a dial located between the seats — props to Audi for the excellent Google maps and for including Apple CarPlay. You’ll also find a regular USB port present — the previous (and painful to figure out) cables are gone.

Standard equipment includes a 10-speaker Audi audio system, HD radio, satellite radio, an SD card slot, and Bluetooth. My test model was equipped with a Bang & Olufsen sound system with 14 speakers and 705 watts. This top-shelf package brings concert hall sound quality to the S3 cabin. Yes, it is that good.

On the safety front, the 2017 Audi A3 family is a Top Safety Pick recipient from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. You’ll find such safety features as active lane assist, rear cross traffic alert, crash preparation, adaptive cruise control, and a rearview camera with parking sensors.

2017 Audi S3

On the Road

I’ve already teased you about the S3’s performance. The Audi Drive Select is the difference maker here, controlled by a switch on the lower console or through the center stack screen. Four settings are available — auto, comfort, dynamic, and individual.

Dynamic is where you want to be if you prefer to experience the ultimate in driving dynamics. This mode quickly transforms the S3 into a beast — the transmission shift points adjust, engine revs are held higher, and the exhaust system booms. Yes, it almost seems odd to hear a booming exhaust considering a turbo four is under the hood. The sound may or may not be artificial, but the note is pleasing to the ear.

2017 Audi S3Certainly, the Audi S3 has strong performance credentials. I mentioned how quickly and effortlessly it builds speed. But the fun begins when you’re aiming for your 0-60 mph time (and beyond) — this sedan is simply a hoot to drive.

Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system is nothing new. Introduced in a rally car in 1980, the system has expanded across the model line and gone through many permutations. A center differential is a focal point here, what detects when slip is apparent, connecting the two axles. Torque is sent where it is needed most and the split between front and rear axles can constantly change.

That Audi employs a lightweight, front-wheel drive platform to do this would not be especially remarkable apart from Quattro. Yes, Mercedes-Benz also does this with the AMG CLA45 and its 4Matic system (BMW employs xDrive), but time and experience are on Audi’s side.

Off-the-mark acceleration is excellent in the S3. But the true joy of driving is on twisty roads. You’ll quickly forget that this sedan has a front-wheel drive heritage as all four wheels do their job. Not once did I feel the S3 sliding to either side, nor did I have to apply the brakes as I took each turn.

The sedan sits low, hangs the curves with precision, and picks up speed immediately. Steering is light to the touch and precise — the sport-tuned suspension only enhances the experience. Turbo lag? It is barely noticeable and inconsequential.

2017 Audi S3

Parting Thoughts

What you have with the Audi S3 is not simply a very good premium sedan. It is an outstanding conveyance, actually. As long as you don’t need the rear seat space, the S3 wins.

The S3’s price point is in line with its chief competitors — the BMW M235i (now M240) and the AMG CLA45. I’ve seen some reviewers compare this model to various offerings from Acura and Buick, but neither of the two provides all-wheel drive, so the point is missed.

If you’re seriously considering the Audi S3, go with the Prestige package to enjoy all the niceties this model has to offer. You can easily drive your final price above $50,000 if you choose certain “exclusive special paint colors,” but there are less costly options. Only the Brilliant Black and Vegas Yellow are standard — the optional paint schemes cost $575, $1,075 or $3,900. Choosing upgrades such as red brake calipers ($400), the black optic dynamic package ($2,000), or the S Sport seat package ($1,450) will move your final price above $56,000.

Lastly, if you decide for an S3, your Audi dealer may have to order one for you. They’re produced in such small numbers that the vehicle you want may be weeks from arriving.

2017 Audi S3


See Also — Premium Hybrid Hatchback: 2017 Lexus CT 200h

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2017 cars, all-wheel drive, Apple CarPlay, AUDI A3, Audi S, Bang & Olufsen, dual-clutch transmission, luxury, performance sedan, Quattro, sport suspension

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