2008 Audi A8

Arrange a test drive, get free price quotes, or read local dealer ratings for 2008 Audi A8:

By  Bengt Halvorson, Editor

2008 Audi A8
Enlarge Photo

 2008 AUDI A8 STYLING | [7 out of 10]

Automobile.com: "well-proportioned...appearance is subdued"
ConsumerGuide: "interior more sporty rather than opulent, but it's still classy"
Edmunds: "gives nothing away in terms of luxury, performance"
Popular Mechanics: “hard to find room for improvement "

The 2008 Audi A8 is largely a carryover version of a car styled to blend into the Audi lineup, instead of striking a bold new path.

There are two versions of the A8, Audi's large luxury sedan—a standard car and the A8 L, which has a 121-inch wheelbase, slightly more than 5 inches bigger than that of the base model, according to Cars.com. Both are penned not to offend. Automobile.com phrased it the best: "Aesthetically, Audi took the safe road when it penned the second-edition A8." Audi, the magazine says in its online site, has designed a “well-proportioned” car that’s “subdued,” but praises its “long, arc-shaped roofline and the familial front end.”

As Car and Driver points out, changes for the 2008 Audi A8 are minimal; other than LED turn signals and taillights, new wheels, and interior/exterior finish options, there's very little to distinguish the 2008 Audi A8 from its 2007 predecessor on the outside. Edmunds says the "snob appeal" of the Audi 2008 is still less than that of its rivals from BMW and Mercedes as a result.

Inside, it’s impeccably detailed, and the Audi A8’s cabin is as "handsome and spacious" as ever, Edmunds believes. Automobile.com calls it “conservative as the lobby of a Ritz-Carlton hotel,” with careful lines, lots of wood, and leather.

TheCarConnection.com’s editors think the A8 Audi is one of the most refined-looking vehicles on the road. The exterior shape is enduring; inside the A8, Audi's instrument panel looks remarkably clean and simplified compared to the excess of lines and gadgets in the latest Benz S-Class or BMW 7-Series.

Conclusion: The 2008 Audi A8 is a sober-looking sedan with a subtle richness inside—but if you want a new look, wait for 2009.

2008 AUDI A8 PERFORMANCE | [8 out of 10]

Automobile.com: "amazingly nimble"
Cars.com: "an abundant rush of energy when the pedal is pushed"
ConsumerGuide: "Nearly silent engine emits sophisticated, muted growl"
Edmunds: "solid rush of power is always on tap"
Forbes Autos: "stately and sophisticated...with underlying sportiness"
Motor Trend: "stump-pulling torque and wonderfully tactile power"

If you're seeking a difference between 2007 and the 2008 Audi A8, performance is where you'll find it.

The 2008 Audi A8 remains powered by a 350-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 on the standard A8 and extended-length A8 L, while a 450-hp 12-cylinder engine sits in the bay of the top-of-the-range A8 L W12. (The high-performance S8, with its V-10 engine and more aggressive equipment, is covered in a separate review.)

With 330 hp in the A8, Audi’s 40-valve 4.2-liter V-8 offers an extra 20 hp over last year's model according to Automobile.com, as well as an extra 15 pound-feet of low-end torque. Audi claims the A8 will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just over 6 seconds; the top speed is limited to 155 mph. The longer-wheelbase, 12-cylinder version isn’t necessarily faster: Motor Trend says the direct-injection V-8 engine "gives up little to the V-12" and squeezes out up to 18 mpg on the highway.

Both versions of the 2008 Audi A8 use a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, which according to Forbes Autos can be "taken through the gears like a manual." “You get an abundant rush of energy when the pedal is pushed,” Cars.com reports, “but considerable downshifting occurs on even moderate upgrades. Fortunately, those downshifts are smooth and prompt.”

The 2008 Audi A8's variable-ratio, variable-assist steering system has been recalibrated to yield more road feel, and the air suspension has been retuned. The adjustable suspension can "induce unsettling wallow when at softer settings" according to ConsumerGuideAuto, though the A8 Audi rides on 19-inch wheels. Cars.com had a different experience, one much more in tune with what TheCarConnection.com’s editors have found: “On narrow two-lane roads, this full-size sedan whips from one curve to the next with ease. It stays beautifully flat while cornering and responds immediately to driver inputs,” they wrote. Motor Trend notes that the Audi A8’s new steering is “great, with perfect feel and weight, but…we didn't know the old steering ratio needed replacing.”

Conclusion: The 2008 Audi A8 can please the most rabid performance hound, and it shows a softer side, too.

2008 AUDI A8 COMFORT AND QUALITY | [9 out of 10]

ConsumerGuide: "Ample room on firm, wide seats...limousine-like legroom"
Edmunds: "Fit and finish throughout are superb"
Forbes Autos: "affords ample comfort for both the front and rear seats"

The Audi A8 offers a superior level of comfort and room for the daily commute as well as the long road trip. As Automobile.com observes, “there is plenty of wood and leather, the adjustable driver's seat is comfortable, and the materials and fit and finish are first-rate.”

Cars.com reports that the interior of the 2008 Audi A8 is nothing short of luxurious, including natural wood trim and genuine leather upholstery. Seat options include massage, heating, and even ventilation. Edmunds calls the interior "superb...with generous amounts of wood, Alcantara (suede) and aluminum accents."

Audi told Car and Driver that the 2008 Audi A8 would be the "quietest car in its class"--and ConsumerGuideAuto checks back with confirmation, but a touch of criticism. The A8's 19-inch tires are "most always whisper quiet," they say, but "rumble and whine a bit on coarse pavement."

Few reviewers commented on the actual room in the 2008 Audi A8, but TheCarConnection.com spent a few hundred miles in various A8 Audi sedans, and found that it has some of the best front seats in any vehicle at any price; they're large and not only firm enough to hold you in place on a twisty road but also superbly comfortable for long-haul driving. In addition, the rear doors are 5 inches longer, making life easier for second-row passengers. The standard-wheelbase model has enough backseat space for average-size adults, but the extended-length L model has almost limousine-like legroom that's good for even the lankiest passengers.

Conclusion: There are more luxurious and more comfortable cars on the market than the 2008 Audi A8--but not many, and not by much.

2008 AUDI A8 SAFETY | [9 out of 10]

Car and Driver: "features aim to increase safety"
Edmunds: "winter weather capability is one of the A8's strengths"
Motor Trend: lane-departure warning system “more annoying than helpful”

Are the Audi A8's 10 airbags enough? The federal government hasn’t tested the sedan, but that number indicates how extensive the Audi’s safety package is.

The list of safety features on the 2008 Audi A8 is vast, including separate front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, front knee airbags, front active head restraints, and electronic stability control—all standard, according to Cars.com.

Forbes Autos reports that the new Audi A8 features adaptive headlights as well. The headlights actually turn with the wheels, providing better illumination around curved roads at night. In addition, the windshield wipers are rain-sensing, the standard quattro all-wheel-drive system provides excellent control in a variety of road conditions, and the brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution insure maximum stopping power.

Two of the more innovative pieces of standard (yes, standard) safety equipment to be found on this year's A8: Audi’s side assists and the lane assist. According to Motor Trend, the side assist, which warns the driver of the presence of vehicles in the "blind spot," is "subtle and useful." The lane assist causes the steering wheel to vibrate when the vehicle begins to wander; however, Motor Trend recommends that this feature be turned off "except when going cross-country on too little sleep…it’s amusing at first, then more annoying than helpful.”

Conclusion: The 2008 Audi A8 has cutting-edge safety equipment, but hasn’t been crash-tested.

2008 AUDI A8 FEATURES | [9 out of 10]

Automobile.com: "a full complement of standard equipment"
ConsumerGuide: "design...stand[s] out even in the high-buck segment"
Edmunds: "A8 come(s) with virtually every luxury feature as standard"

Standard features abound in this year's Audi A8. Cars.com lists keyless entry and engine start-up, a navigation system, four-zone automatic climate control, a front and rear Parktronic parking system, and electric sunshades for the rear and side windows among the gear included on each A8.

Audi has fitted the base model with leather seats, bi-xenon headlights, a six-disc CD player, and "powered everything," according to Automobile.com. Those who want more can choose add-ons that include heated seats, electric sunshades, acoustic parking sensors (great for anyone who struggles with parallel parking), and backseat lumbar adjustment, as well as the massage-and-ventilation mechanisms for the front seat.

For those who must talk on their cell phones while driving (and watch out here, as more and more states are outlawing this practice), the Audi A8 is equipped with Bluetooth wireless capability, allowing for hands-free telephone operation; voice recognition for operation of the stereo as well as the on-board navigation system is also included, Forbes Auto says.

These many features can also be accessed with Audi's proprietary MMI--a series of buttons and controls mounted on the steering wheel with which the driver can operate the vehicle's numerous devices and controls easily and in greater safety, according to Edmunds. While this system looks intimidating to the uninitiated, Forbes Autos tells us that it's actually easier and more intuitive than the BMW iDrive system (albeit "more distracting than traditional knobs and buttons").

Other options include rear dual-zone climate controls, an awe-inspiring Bang & Olufsen sound system, obstacle-detection systems, a rearview camera, a solar-powered ventilation system, and a power rear sunshade. A Sport Package is also available on the 2008 Audi A8.

Conclusion: The 2008 Audi A8 has enough high-tech gadgets and features for the most demanding driver.