What it is: The A8 is Audi’s flagship sedan and it’s available with a choice of two gasoline engines: a supercharged V-6 or a turbocharged V-8. Audi has dropped the gas W-12 engine, so named because it has four cylinder banks that approximate the shape of a W, and the turbo-diesel V-6. The diesel is shelved while Audi and parent company Volkswagen resolve an emissions-cheating scandal with government authorities. Competitors include the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Lexus LS 460. A performance model, the S8, comes with a V-8 engine.
(Skip to details on the S8) New for 2017 There are no significant changes. Significant Standard Features
333-horsepower, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine
Eight-speed automatic transmission
All-wheel drive
Adaptive suspension
LED headlights
Heated leather front seats
Automatic air conditioning
14-speaker Bose surround sound audio system
Navigation system with Google Earth imagery
Audi Connect with Wi-Fi hot spot
Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system
Significant Available Features
450-hp, turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine
19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium stereo
Rear entertainment system
Head-up display
Adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning
Lane departure warning and prevention
Night vision with pedestrian and animal detection
S8 Fortified with a 605-hp, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine, the S8 is the hot rod of the A8 line. It comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, an adaptive suspension and driver-selectable settings for the steering and suspension. Rivals include the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and BMW Alpina B7. What’s Special
