Vehicle Reviews

The all-new and completely redesigned, 2012 Audi A8 is a new benchmark in the full-size luxury vehicle category. The A8 sedan has been endowed with an evolutionary exterior styling, a revamped interior, improved gas mileage and standard all-wheel drive. It takes on BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The 2012 Audi A8 is available in A8 and A8 L trims.

The five-passenger 2012 Audi A8 is longer and wider than the 2010 model. The exterior is characterized by Audi's distinctive white LED daytime running lights in the shape of checkmarks underneath the headlights, lightweight and yet ultra-strong aluminum body with ASF design. The interior is luxurious with newly developed, spacious styling, craftsman-level fit and finish, emotionally charged interior lighting, two-zone automatic air conditioning system advanced MMI control system, MMI touch navigation system with pioneering operating concept. The A8 trim comes with Audi xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, three-spoke, sport, multifunction, leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for audio volume, Bluetooth phone and audio seek functions, 19-inch ten-spoke Y design aluminum alloy wheels with all-season tires, ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and 18-way power seats. The new and optional premium Bang & Olufsen stereo system has 19 speakers and more than 1,400 watts of amplifier power.

The A8 makes 372 horsepower and 328 pound-feet of torque from its 4.2-liter direct-injected V8 engine. A new eight speed automatic transmission is standard. It sprints from zero to 60 mph in less than 5.7 seconds. The A8 comes exclusively with Quattro all-wheel drive. The driver can select driving modes (Comfort, Dynamic and Auto) that vary the engine, transmission, steering and suspension characteristics.

The 2012 Audi A8 is equipped with a number of safety equipment including Audi pre sense rear system, eight airbags, side curtains, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system with traction control. Night vision which shows the road ahead on the instrument panel and can detect and highlight pedestrians and animals is new.