We can always count on a luxury car’s extravagant features for confusing button imagery. The nearly $100,000 2014 Audi A8 L TDI we recently tested is no exception, housing what may be an industry exclusive backrest snowball launcher. Best cooled seat ever?
Unfortunately, it’s not the world’s coolest seat, but it is one of the more refreshing driver comfort features.
The mysterious button activates Audi’s highly addictive front massaging seats, part of the optional $4,000 Premium Package. Massaging seats are a highlight of the package that also includes a blind spot warning system, LED headlights and 22-way adjustable seats. The massaging function is unique because its soothing motions feel more natural than many other seats in luxury vehicles with similar systems.
Audi’s system offers more than an on/off feature; it has five levels of sensitivities for its five massaging styles: Wave, Pulse, Stretch, Lumbar and Shoulder. Sitting in rush-hour traffic has never been comfier with the massage function set on Wave and cranked to level 5 while the seat is heated to its warmest level. A little more aggressiveness would be nice, but then Audi would have to include a tip jar somewhere in the cabin.
Managing Editor Joe Bruzek’s 22 years of automotive experience doesn’t count the lifelong obsession that started as a kid admiring his dad’s 1964 Chevrolet Corvette — and continues to this day. Joe’s been an automotive journalist with Cars.com for 16 years, writing shopper-focused car reviews, news and research content. As Managing Editor, one of his favorite areas of focus is helping shoppers understand electric cars and how to determine whether going electric is right for them. In his free time, Joe maintains a love-hate relationship with his 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that he wishes would fix itself.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-bruzek-2699b41b/