Audi has its flagship A8 truly cleaned and the luxury liner, especially in terms of technique missed a sharp look. The update is necessary because the new Mercedes S-Class has brought movement into the upper class and taken there in sales in September 2013, the leadership. In addition archrival BMW had inflict upon a facelift his noble 7 Series recently and brought the engines up to date.

Front looks less bulky
The look of the Nobel Audi was only changed gently, the term "fine-tuning" is to be taken literally. New light edges adorn the bonnet, and the front apron had to go under the knife. The powerful single-frame grille is now separated from the lower edge, which makes the front end look less bulky. At the rear, the apron was also adjusted, here the exhaust tips are now trapezoidal integrated with all engines except the S8. This form was taken over by the top model W12 and also looks at the weaker variants of elegant.

4.0 TFSI and W12 with cylinder deactivation
Especially on the engines of the A8 was vigorously screwed to curb their thirst and to make them fit for the Euro 6 standard. Both diesel engines now have a SCR catalyst and purify the exhaust gas by AdBlue injection. Almost all units have become stronger, most of the 4.2 TDI has risen, which now makes 385 hp - 35 hp more handsome than before. In addition, the V8 petrol engine 4.0 TFSI and the twelve-cylinder called W12 got the so-called "cylinder on demand" system (COD), the four or six pots off to save fuel during partial load operation. As we have seen on a short test drive with the 4.0 TFSI, which happens quite smoothly and unnoticed by the occupants. A sound difference between eight-and four-cylinder operation, we have also not heard, here eliminates Audi with the "Active Noise Cancellation" by targeted anti-noise unwanted tones.

3.0 TDI: Now 258 hp as the German Konkurrrenz
Obviously look the customer in the class of precious sedans on the money, because according to Audi strikes in about half of all sales of the A8 we tested entry-level diesel 3.0 TDI as heart. Of course, the V6 scored a power-lookup and sends 258 instead of 250 hp on the all-wheel drive. Thus the Audi now offers the same performance as the competitors BMW 730d and Mercedes S 350 BlueTec.

5.9 seconds to 100
The exceptionally quiet and sophisticated engine is a recommended power source for the large Ingolstadt, because for everyday use creates the diesel more than enough power cause. This starts from low revs, the acceleration from the start, is remarkably strong. The maximum torque of 580 Newton meters, makes for a wonderful boost, this peak is at least 1750-2500 tours. The base-A8 accelerates in 5.9 seconds from zero to 100 and is governed at 250 km / h. Since the competitor from Stuttgart and Munich look in the exhaust of the Audi Trapeze: The BMW needs to sprint 6.1 seconds and the Mercedes 6.8 seconds. Consumption quantify the Ingolstadt with 5.9 liter, which is slightly more than BMW (5.6 liters) and Mercedes call (5.5 liters) for their diesel beginners.