Friday, 1 November 2013
Audi Ireland has announced pricing and order information for its new flagship model, the A8, which will arrive in Ireland in January 2014. The latest flagship combines revisions to its weight-optimised, predominantly aluminium body with a raft of technological advances including an upgraded line-up of EU6-compliant engines.
Features :
The new A8 features optional headlights employing MatrixBeam Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology which sets new benchmarks. The high-beam function uses 25 individual LEDs per unit which can be switched on and off or dimmed individually depending on the situation. When the on-board camera detects other vehicles ahead, the Audi MatrixBeam LED headlights mask the relevant sections of the high-beam by dimming or shutting off individual diodes. Very bright illumination is preserved in the remaining zones.
There is a choice of five petrol and TDI engines, the majority of which have been revised to improve performance and efficiency. Priced at €94,080 OTR, and due on Irish shores next January, the new 3.0TDI 260BHP is expected to constitute the majority of customer orders. The highly efficient 3.0 TDI clean diesel increases from 250BHP to 260BHP but emissions fall 14g to just 155g, which qualifies the engine for tax band C or annual road tax of just €390. Of interest to Irish buyers will be the 4.2TDI which has been upgraded to 385HP with 850NM of torque.
The dazzling continues inside with (optional) LED ambient lighting in three colour choices and a more comprehensive palette of seat trims, inlays and colour themes. The wraparound command centre houses an automatically retractable eight-inch colour screen with 3D graphics, and there's a new head-up display system that conveys information of the driver's choice and appears to float 2.5 metres in front of the windscreen.
Electric seats are standard up front and those
opting for the long-wheelbase models can order the individual rear
seating package, which replaces the bench with two individual,
electrically-operated and reclining 'couches' that will also give you a
massage if you push the right buttons.
Keep that chequebook open and Audi will treat
you to a fridge, fold-out tables, rear seat entertainment package and a
high-end Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The A8 also follows its rivals in offering a
suite of driver assistance systems that includes adaptive cruise control
with stop & go function, active lane assist and park assist with
360-degree display.
The barnstorming S8 tops out the range. Its 4.0 TFSI engine blasts it from 0 to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds, yet cylinder-on-demand technology also renders it capable of up to 28 mpg, corresponding to 225 grams CO2 per kilometre.
