FAST FACTS
- Model: Audi A8 L - Exterior color: Brilliant Black - Interior color: Nougat Brown - Engine: 3.0-liter, V-6 - Horsepower: 333 - Transmission: 8-speed automatic - Fuel economy: 29 mpg highway, 19 mpg city - Local Dealer: Audi Chattanooga - Price (as tested): $92,500
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The name of today's test car looks like some kind of encrypted password: Audi A8 L 3.0T quattro Tiptronic.
Decoded, all those words and numbers mean a big German sedan with a supercharged engine, all-wheel-drive and a fancy transmission.
Boil it down even more and it means automotive nirvana.
As solid as an Abrams Tank and as quiet as a crypt, Audi's flagship sedan is a showcase of modern automotive engineering. Even though the A8 is scheduled for a major redo for 2018, the 2017 model is still a state-of-the-art luxury sedan worth a test drive if you play in this price league.
The Audi A8 competes with two other alpha dogs in the large luxury sedan class, the Mercedes-Benz S Class and the BMW 7 Series. The Audi is the price leader of the trio, however, and our Brilliant Black tester lists for $92,500, including about $10,000 in optional equipment.
Audi Chattanooga on International Drive had two copies of the A8 in stock when we checked with general manager Jeremy Holsomback earlier this week. Both were equipped with V-6 engines making 333 horsepower, although a V-8 version of the A8 with 450 horsepower is also available.
Two other models, one with a 12-cylinder engine and another with turbo-diesel motor, have been dropped from the A8 L line-up for 2017.
The L in the name stands for "long wheel-base," which means all A8s coming to American shores these days are essentially limousines. Back seat passengers have a canyon of leg room.
Fuel economy in the A8 is a respectable 29 mpg highway and 19 mpg city.
STYLING AND COMFORT
With its conservative body lines and generic sedan proportions, the A8 is a bit stealthy. The BMW or Mercedes-Benz would be better conversation starters, but some people prefer to not stand out.
The A8's one concession to exterior opulence is a seven-bar chrome grill that looks like the gates to Graceland. It's the one signature design element that announces to the world that you are a discerning judge of automotive engineering, and not just a person trying to buy status at the country club.
That said, the A8's design is unified, all-of-one-piece. Audi does corners well. There are no sharp angles or obvious embellishments to interrupt the eye's smooth movement over the car's surface.
Inside, the A8 is built to coddle and charm. Our tester features a Nougat Brown leather interior, and comes with special seats upholstered in diamond stitching, part of a $2,800 luxury package that also includes an Alcantara headliner.
In an effort to push sales, Audi is offering a $5,400 rebate on the $6,900 Executive package, which includes such goodies as 20-inch 10-spoke alloys, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats with a massage function, and a heated steering wheel.
An 8-inch touchscreen rises dramatically from the dash when the car is started, although it's MMI telematics system is showing its age. If we are picking nits, the fact that the A8 still has a proprietary cable instead of a simple USB port for audio inputs will give most modern buyers pause. Expect that to be corrected next year.
Trunk space, 14.2 cubic feet, is also modest for a car this big. If you are looking to carry a lot of cargo, Audi will gladly steer you to a new Q7 SUV.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
Driving the big A8 is a delight. It feels like the car is riding on air, which it is - sort of - if you consider its available air suspension system.
Unlike some other big cars, it never wallows. Steering is smooth and there's very little body roll. The A8 is downright athletic on mountain commutes, and the 333-horsepower supercharged V6 in our tester is more than adequate. The automotive website Edmunds.com has clocked the V-6 equipped A8 at 5.3 seconds in the 0-60 mph sprint.
Standard all-wheel-drive makes the A8 a good companion when the weather gets cold and the road gets slippery. During warm-weather months the A8s panoramic sunroof is a plus. Four-zone climate control ensures year-round comfort.
All A8s feature a Tiptronic 8-speed transmission. Our tester has paddle shifters in case you find yourself in a playful mood.
BOTTOM LINE
The A8 lives at the intersection of luxury and performance. It's an expensive neighborhood, but for those who can afford it, the A8 will not disappoint.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.