Audi, as always, comes into the market with subtlety and class, offering its luxury sedan for those with refined tastes and thirst for power under the hood. From the prominent signature trapezoidal grille to the adaptive air suspension that adeptly cradles all 4300 lbs. around tight bends, there’s not much on this car that’s not to like.
Key Features
Quattro all-wheel drive, a Bose audio system, and Valetta leather seating all come standard on this model. And of course Audi’s flagship comes with its signature LED light strip under the headlamps. The availability of a Driver Assistance Package makes safety a priority, with blind-spot monitor and lane-departure warning system.
Changes for 2012
The 2012 A8 brings in Google Earth maps, as well as a new selection of trim packages including the Executive Rear Seating package which spoils your passengers with massagers, a refrigerator, and an entertainment system (this optional package is only available on the long model).
What We Like
The MMI touch screen interface is one of the most attractive draws on this sedan (and it’s standard). The intuitive operation allows you to not only navigate to your destination but also to quickly and easily program in your favorite tunes. The choice between a V8 or a W12 engine adds to the excitement of driving this sporty yet roomy sedan.
What Concerns Us
It’s challenging to find anything worrisome about this model. The A8 is stylish, roomy, yet drives like a smaller, sportier car.
Available Models
The Audi A8 comes in a standard Quattro 4.2L V8 AWD 8-speed automatic, with 328 lb.-ft. of torque, 372 HP, and 18/28 mpg. The same engine can be had in the L version with the longer body.
The W12 engine is only available in the A8 L variant – with a 6.3L Quattro AWD 8-speed automatic that offers 463 lb.-ft. of torque, 500 HP, and 14/21 mpg.
Major Recalls
There are no major recalls on the 2012 Audi A8.
Common Issues
While complaints about this luxury sedan are few and far between, there has been a report that, anecdotally, was acknowledged by the company as a problem – the A8 struts may make a high-pitched noise when traveling over rugged surfaces or speed bumps. The consumer was purportedly informed by an Audi representative that the problem was due to a bad batch of struts installed on the vehicle at manufacture. Unfortunately word-of-mouth reports like these are difficult to verify.
