Audi A8 L Drive Review: The Gentleman’s Luxury Flagship Ride

The 2022 Audi A8 L promises the highest level of driving comfort and a rather stylish appearance. But does it deserve a place in your exclusive garage?

The battle for supremacy in the luxury car space is often top-down, and the three flagship sedans from three well-known German brands often engage in very intense competition against each other. While the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series have a significant following, the Audi A8 has also been a favorite of many over the years. And to expand the fan base, the Germans recently updated the 2022 Audi A8 L model.

Launched at an introductory price ₹1.29 crore for the tech variant onwards ₹1.69 lakh for the Celebration variant, the 2022 edition of Audi’s flagship is an updated model, but one that continues to maintain its strengths of comfort, technology and powerful drive. It may not be as flashy as some of its rivals, but do its understated moments really strike a chord with niche buyers who are a continuation of their success?

Here’s a first look at the 2022 Audi A8L:

The latest version of the Audi A8L strives to find the perfect balance between youthful energy and mature confidence. Think of it as a luxury ride for a young and dynamic entrepreneur. Maybe he or she doesn’t want his or her ride to be eyeball-grabbing and yet wants envious glances. These views are primarily due to the A8L’s large proportions and clever use of chrome. The face is highlighted by large chrome with a generous chrome finish. The border line, which extends below the radiator grille and covers the air intakes, is also made of chrome. The revised adaptive LED headlight units also look extremely stylish, but as an additional device ₹10 lakhs higher car price. For the price, these smart matrix headlights boast a mind of their own – offering automatic adjustments based on the environment and environmental conditions.

Move to the side and the A8L sits on 19-inch wheels with an understated alloy design. There is a chrome strip on the lower half of the doors, while the sedan continues to have a stretched and strong shoulder line. The overall length of 5,300 mm and wheelbase of 3,100 mm are impressive and justify the letter “L” in the Audi A8 L. And while it may have an impressively attractive appearance, get too close and the proximity sensors on the OLED lights will extinguish the visual warnings.

How luxurious is the interior of the Audi A8 L?

Audi offers an almost infinite number of customization options for the A8 L, which means that if you and your business partner both decide to buy this flagship car, you’ll still have something to brag about. The sedan also comes with the option of a four- or five-seat layout, which is great.

Despite the large load, the cabin really feels a little too basic compared to this model’s direct competitors and for the price you pay to be inside. Dual screens on the dashboard, virtual cockpit, gear lever are now more common on Audi models, and the A8 L has little to distinguish itself. But it offers just about everything a rear passenger would expect from a flagship sedan – plenty of legroom, an optional relaxation package with multiple massage functions that includes foot massage, entertainment screens and even a refrigerator hidden behind the center armrest. Note, however, that the Relaxation package is again an optional extra, and while the sedan comes with a 17-speaker Bang and Olufsen music system, you’ll have to pay more to get the 23-speaker system.

How to drive Audi A8 L?

It is a pity that in flagship sedans, hardly any of the owners will drive the car on their own. The Audi A8 L wants to drive, and for good reason.

A 3.0-liter V6 turbo gasoline engine with a maximum power of 340 hp is offered. and a torque of 500 Nm. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and shifts are generally smooth and precise. Switch to Dynamic mode and this luxury car takes on an aggressive character that helps it accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds. I’d happily trade a backseat foot massage for that any day, arms and legs down. And while there may not be much feedback from the steering wheel to enjoy, the A8 L is an extremely comfortable car with the adaptive air suspension working overtime every time. Want even more comfort while driving? Predictive active suspension is included ₹15 lakhs extra and helps the sedan to scan the road ahead to automatically adjust the suspension

Judgment

The latest version of the Audi A8 L may be facelifted, but it offers a lot for the mature customer base it’s targeting. Comfort is usually at the top of the priority list, and the sedan has the upper hand here. It’s quite a capable car to drive, so if you decide to get behind the wheel from time to time, you’ll have something to appreciate.

And the A8 L looks like a flagship, too, so there’s the added benefit of making a real statement when you arrive. However, on the other hand, the cabin doesn’t quite dazzle you with glitz and glamour, and the optional packages add significantly to the final price of the car.

Date of first publication: October 17, 2022, 11:02 AM IST