Order books open for new Audi A8 22 | 10 | 2013
SCOTTISH AUDI DEALERSHIPS have opened their order books for the new generation of A8. The car will arrive in showrooms across the country in January.
Primary improvements to the model range include revisions to its weight-optimised, predominantly aluminium Audi Space Frame, plus a raft of technological advances.
The new car also gets subtle restyling to its bonnet, the single frame grille, the bumper and the lower edge of the headlight units. All engines in the range are now Euro6 compliant, and most are more efficient and offer more power.
The range-topping A8 L W12 quattro — with its 6.3-litre, 500PS petrol engine — now gets a newly-adopted version of the cylinder-on-demand system. At low loads, it deactivates the fuel injection and ignition for six cylinders and contributes to its 24.1mpg and 270g/km CO2.
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In the UK, the A8 is available with a choice of three specification levels – SE, SE Executive and Sport Executive.
SE models now get 18 alloys in a new design, electromechanical power steering and all-LED headlights with a high-beam assist function. The lighting and steering upgrades carry over into the SE Executive variant.
The top-ranking Sport Executive models gain the new MatrixBeam LED headlights and Mobile Phone Preparation — High with Audi connect. This feature brings internet-based services such as Google Earth, Google Street View and online traffic information to the car, and also establishes a wi-fi hotspot for connection of multiple handheld devices to the internet.
The new range starts at £58,800 for the 258hp 3.0 TDI quattro SE, and rises to £79,900 for the 4.0TFSI quattro S8. Audi has yet to release a price for the range-topping 6.3 W12 LWB.
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Jim McGill