Before we go too far here, I must admit to a certain bias; like Audi's A8 L, I am, at 189cm, also on the long side. Sadly, I suspect my younger sister is the Nelson flagship model, but that's not relevant here. Nonetheless, it was with a feeling of kinship I accepted the long wheelbase A8 from Audi, excited by the prospect of not just the 372bhp 4.2-litre V8, but by the level of refinement one associates with saloons of German derivation.
Additionally, I was looking forward to driving this particular A8, which Audi had configured in contrast to the beige car we drove in January, as a sportier iteration of the venerable limo that would demonstrate the admirable depth of Audi's available options.
Seated in the A8, it would be nearly 30 minutes before I pulled away from the kerb, as its gadgetry kept me occupied for quite a while. It took a few minutes to get around the MMI, but once I'd reminded myself of its intuitive logic I was able to navigate the system to great satisfaction.
In this age of digital media, the A8 is well equipped to handle a variety of file types. The only snag I hit was it wouldn't recognise my 2008-era iPod, which I then lost before I could update the firmware which, based on the easy to use MMI manual, would have solved the conflict. Oh well, unlike this now iPodless writer, A8 owners can expect to enjoy integrated operation of their Apple devices.
The A8 L's additional 130mm make for an ample back seat about which even tall folks won't complain. I happened to be reviewing the DVD of The Social Network, so one evening I commandeered the rear seat, which enjoys access to its own DVD drive, HD jukebox and a separate music interface and had a private screening to rival the local Cineplex. The two 10.2in screens are the largest among competitors, and when you combine their crisp quality with the 19-speaker, 1,400W B&O system, you have a mobile screening room that would make drive-ins obsolete if they weren't, well, already obsolete.
The excellent comfort afforded to passengers does impact the driving experience slightly, when compared to the standard wheelbase A8 which handles like a much smaller car than it actually is. While one is aware of driving a longer car while piloting the A8 L, it has a lot going for it out on the road. The adaptive air suspension with controlled damping, combined with the ability to tailor the car's response via the Audi drive select, as well as the optional sport differential provide an overabundance of driving pleasure, even for those of us who've driven its shorter cousin.
This car also came equipped with Audi's Dynamic Steering system, which allows the car to make adjustments to the amount of assist on the fly, and to apply minor steering correction as needed. The bottom line is, while 130mm mean a lot to my lengthy legs, they don't do much to deter Audi's V8, coupled with the speedy eight-speed tiptronic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Verdict
Ultimately, the tipping point here is going to come down to how much time you plan to spend in the back. If you employ a driver, the A8L is a no-brainer, as you'll enjoy top tier comfort while owning a car that is responsive and amply powered for those occasions that you take the wheel.
Specs & ratings
- Model A8 L
- Engine 4.2-litre V8
- Transmission Eight-speed auto, AWD
- Max power 372bhp @ 6,800rpm
- Max torque 445Nm @ 3,500rpm
- Top speed 250kph
- 0-100kph 5.8sec
- Price Dh358,000
- UAE friendly
- Plus Great gadgets and loads of rear room
- Minus Ride could be better
