What's all this about?
It might not be half way through 2015 yet, but 2016 is almost here; that's according to Audi with the 2016 A8 ready to order and set to arrive in the summer. Prices start at £59,585 and there's a new Sport trim level in addition to the SE and SE Executive grades. Plus the range-topping S8.
What's new?
Sport replaces 'Sport Executive' in the A8 hierarchy and is only available on the standard wheelbase body. The styling apes that of the flagship S8 model and features 'S' style side skirts plus 19-inch alloy wheels with a seven-parallel spoke design. Inside there is a 600-watt Bose sound system and 'Mobile Phone Preparation - High' to provide in-car internet services and act as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.
How about the rest of the range?
Standard equipment includes Valcona leather upholstery, double glazing, a 180-watt sound system and LED headlamps. The SE Executive adds the 'Audi parking system advanced with reversing camera', keyless entry and starting plus a powered boot lid. New features for the 2016 model include powered door closing, rear privacy glass and 'comfort front seats' that include 22-way power adjustment.
And what's under the bonnet?
Mainstays of the engine range are the 3.0- and 4.2-litre V6 and V8 turbodiesels. The 3.0-litre gets a small power increase from 258- to 262hp; at the same time CO2 emissions have dropped from 155- to 149g/km (when 18-inch wheels are fitted). Output of the 4.2-litre V8 remains 385hp but the CO2 figure drops from 194- to 189g/km.
Long wheelbase models are additionally available with a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain or the 6.3-litre, 500hp W12. The S8 comes only with the standard wheelbase and features a 4.0-litre TFSI powerplant with 520hp.
John Lambert - 28 Apr 2015