If you have a spare crore rupees or two lying around and are utterly confused on where to park it, Audi aims to make your decision easier with the launch of the facelifted A8 L. With the facelift, the A8 gets a host of exterior updates along with additional kit, and prices for the limousine start from Rs 1.29 crore for the 5-seater Celebration Edition, going up to Rs 1.57 crore for the Technology Edition which can be had in 4 or 5-seat guise.
This is not the first time we’ve talked about the facelifted A8’s design, and the most prominent change has to be the singleframe grille, now a visual trait on newer Audis, with its generous dose of chrome. Keeping in line with Audi’s design language, you get Matrix LED headlamps and OLED tail lamps – Audi has always pushed the LED illumination game that way, and even the 19-inch alloy wheels finished in polished graphite grey are new, no featuring a ‘turbine’ design. The silhouette continues to remain very Audi-like with sharp lines but with the new A8, the limousine now appears shoutier and more in your face than before, something which Indian buyers are likely to appreciate.
There was never any dearth of kit when it comes to the interiors of the Audi A8, and the tradition continues on for 2022, with the presence of a 23-speaker B&O sound system, 4-zone climate control, Matrix LED reading lights and soft closing doors. The overall layout hasn’t been changed and the equipment list seems to be never-ending, but what is worth mentioning, particularly to an A8 buyer who is likely to be chauffeur driven, is the presence of a relaxation package with a recliner, along with a foot massage function for the rear side passengers. And occupants of the A8 will be truly cocooned in the lap of luxury thanks to the Audi’s predictive air suspension.
Globally the A8 comes with a choice of two petrol engines and diesel, but what we are getting in India is the 3-litre V6 turbo-petrol which puts out 335bhp and 500Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Audi claims a 0-100kmph time of 5.7 seconds, though it is unlikely that anyone except The Transporter is likely to verify that in the real world. Manoeuvring the A8 should now get easier than before however, thanks to the all-wheel steering.
The A8 L is offered in a choice of two trims – the Celebration Edition and Technology Edition, with the former being priced at Rs 1.29 crore and the latter being priced at Rs 1.57 crore. The Celebration can only be had with a 5-seater configuration, though the Technology Edition with its more lavish trappings can be had either with a 4-seater or a 5-seater configuration. This pricing puts it right in the crosshairs of its traditional rivals, the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, undercutting both of them. Does that mean the A8 L is the new luxury limo to have in town? Only a proper comparison will help us find out.