Diesel adds venom to Audi A8

The three new engines include a super-charged petrol V6, a turbo-diesel V6, and the new range-topping 4.2 litre V8 turbo-diesel.

This extends the luxury range to four options, following the introduction of the first new A8 in July last year which has a 4,2 litre, direct-injection V8 petrol engine.

The three new engines include a super-charged petrol V6, a turbo-diesel V6, and the new range-topping 4.2 litre V8 turbo-diesel.

Between August and the end of last year Audi sold about 50 of the one-model luxury cars priced at R1 105 905 and sales will no doubt improve with the addition of two smaller 3.0 litre derivatives priced at R918 000 and R924 500.

Not for the faint-hearted

For those with melt-proof credit cards the new V8 diesel awaits orders at a hefty R1 121 500.

BMW's 7 Series luxury sedans vary in price from R954 576 to R1 194 483 (and considerably more for its two long wheel-base models), while the three Mercedes-Benz S Class base models range from R962 800 to R1 222 600 (and considerably more for its AMG thunder-wagons).

The new 3.0T FSI V6 petrol engine is the first of the three additions to the A8 line-up and it produces 213kW and 420Nm and with the help of its Quattro all-wheel drive and eight-speed tiptronic gearbox it will propel this "entry-level" version from stand to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds and up to a 250km/h before the electronic nurse-maid pulls in the reins.

Sleek lines - all four the new range-toppers use up to 22% less fuel than the previous generation A8.

Audi says this model consumes on average 9.1 litres/100km in the combined cycle, while emitting 213g/km of CO2, but be warned: because all these A8's glide along so smoothly and effortlessly, keeping at the light throttle speeds required to maintain the claimed figures will not be easy, unless of course you are the company chairman idling leisurely between home and empire (or should that be from luxury pad to Parliament?).

Fact is, all four the new range-toppers use up to 22% less fuel than the previous generation A8.

The smaller of the two diesels is the 3.0 TDI turbo-diesel which is new from the ground up except for the 90° V, the cylinder spacing of 90mm, and the 2967cc capacity carried over from the previous version.

Light on weight, high on performance

All major components are new developments, from the cylinder block to the crankshaft, and the connecting rods to the cylinder heads.

Thanks to weight-reducing materials the engine weighs only 194kg, a full 23kg less than its predecessor weighs.

It's fast, yet classy and supremely comfortable.

The "baby" diesel produces 184kW and a hefty 550Nm to propel it in just 6.1 seconds from zero to 100km/h and to a limited top speed of 250km/h.

Consumption has been cut to 6.6 litres/100km, while the CO2 emissions come to only 174g/km.

The third new member of the Audi A8 engine line-up is the range-topping 4.2 TDI V8 - a turbo diesel with muscle and performance many a sports car owner will envy: 258kW and 800Nm, 5.5 seconds from zero to 100km/h and a reined-in speed of 250km/h.

With this model, especially because its the gorgeous V8 heart throb, keeping it down to achieve Audi's consumption and emission figures of 7,6 litres/100km and 199g/km is going to take more than just the usual disapproving glances from Her Majesty in the passenger seat.

One of a kind

However, if you do manage to drive this elegant company director rocket in good citizen style you will soothed by the knowledge that this is only V8 turbo-diesel engine in the luxury class with CO2 emissions below 200g/km.

Thanks to weight-reducing materials the engine weighs only 194kg, a full 23kg less than its predecessor weighs.

I drove both this new diesel V8 and the smaller-engined V6 diesel on a lovely undulating route through the verdant Natal midlands and loved its opulence, class and velvet-smooth performance and the dignified manner in which these luxury cars hold their pose, even when you drive them like a hooligan.

What makes the Audi flagship particularly appealing to me is the rather reserved, under-stated way in which it goes about its business; fast, yet classy and supremely comfortable and brimming with cutting edge technology that doesn't make you feel as though you have spent your life living in a cave, eating roots and hunting with a spear.

Just to give you one or two brief examples - when the driver of one of these new A8 lifts his foot off the accelerator or touches the brakes the car's intelligent management system slightly increases the voltage of the generator so that it recharges the battery.

Here, water and electricity do mix

Electricity is then fed back during subsequent acceleration, and this reduces the amount of engine power needed to drive the generator. The generator, in turn, uses a novel water cooling system which is more efficient than an electric fan and reduces water usage.

The list of fancies is long - and gets longer the higher the model.

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Another impressive feature is called thermal management which reduces fuel consumption by around 3%. As many car trips cover less than 15km the electronically controlled valves completely disconnect the engine from the cooling system for a brief time following a cold start.

This allows the engine oil to rapidly reach operating temperature, while substantially shortening the phase of elevated friction losses.

Once enough hot cooling water is available, the transmission oil for the eight-speed tiptronic gearbox is heated using a heat exchanger.

Have a pat... no, make it two

OK, I know we are getting into anorak and bar room expert territory here, but it does show Audi's commitment to the environment and that does deserve a pat on the back.

In terms of sheer driving pleasure, the A8's eight-speed tiptronic transmission with its closely-spaced ratios is hard to beat.

It's quick, smooth and provides ample opportunity for enthusiastic drivers to play with the paddles on the steering wheel through a winding mountain pass, while The Chief Executive will happily cruise to the office and delight at its effortless smoothness when left alone to do its own automatic thing.

Just so that you can check that it will fit in your garage.

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Although the rear-wheel drive BMW's are generally regarded as the king of the three German status-wagons when it comes to cling through the twisties, I actually prefer the feel of Audi's Quattro permanent all-wheel drive, particularly when the road is wet or uneven.

The A8's cling and agility, in spite of its size, is excellent and much credit for this must go to is light-weight aluminium space frame which adds strength and rigidity and for which it has already earned the prestigious Euro Car Body Award - the world's most important award for innovative car body design.

Besides its imposing presence and on the road go and cling, the range offers a platinum class, luxuriously appointed interior true to the stylish elegance one has come to expect from the pride of the Audi fleet.

A long list of fancies

The opulent living quarters are smartly furnished across the range with Burr walnut inlays, plush leather seats (with heating for the front occupants and memory settings), a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, MMI Navigation with hard disk, Bluetooth, voice control, Audi Music Interface, Bose sound system, DVD changer, and electric sun shade for rear window.

The list of fancy equipment grows even longer when you step inside the two V8 models where you can add front seats with 22-way electric adjustment and seat ventilation.

Exterior features on all models include a tyre pressure monitor, adaptive air suspension, Audi's trademark LED daytime running lights, park distance control, electric glass sunroof, electronic tailgate and 18-inch alloys wrapped in 235/55 R18 tyres.

Just in case all of this is still not fancy enough and you happen to be a BEE beneficiary or lucky enough to have a sleeping bench in Parliament you would probably include some or all of the even more fancy and expensive optional extras such as a Night Vision Assist, a rear seat entertainment system, full LED headlights, the Audi parking system plus, a sports differential, sport adaptive air suspension, a Bang & Olufsen Advanced sound system, TV reception, and an electronic solar sunroof.

The prices of the four models

(There is a whisper or two about a long-wheel base model also heading this way
some time in the not too distant future.)

Specifications 184kW

Specifications 213kW

Specifications 258kW

Specifications 273kW

2011 Audi A8 Overview

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Roadfly.com - 2011 Audi A8 Road Test & Review