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 | "Descrizione" by Al222 (23254 pt) | 2025-May-21 14:38 |
Audi A8 Saloon / A8 L (D5 “second facelift” – Model-Year 2025)
Audi’s flagship receives a final update before it yields to an all-electric successor: reshaped bumpers, a wider, flatter Singleframe grille, HD-Matrix LED Digital Digest headlights (1.3 million micro-mirrors per side), tail-lamps with selectable OLED signatures, and the latest MIB 3.5 infotainment running on an 11.9-inch centre screen (plus the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit). The MLB-evo platform remains, with adaptive air suspension standard, predictive electromechanical 48-V roll-bars optional, and all-wheel steering on quattro models with 20-inch wheels and larger.
| Powertrain (EU-6e) | Output / Torque | 48 V M-HEV | Drive | Gearbox | 0-100 km/h | WLTP comb. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 TDI 3.0 V6 | 286 hp • 600 Nm | yes | quattro | 8-sp Tiptronic | 5.9 s | 6.6 l/100 km |
| 55 TFSI 3.0 V6 | 340 hp • 500 Nm | yes | quattro | 8-sp Tiptronic | 5.6 s | 8.5 l/100 km |
| 60 TFSI e PHEV | 462 hp • 700 Nm | 17.9 kWh net | quattro | 8-sp Tiptronic | 4.9 s | 1.0 l/100 km · EV 74 km |
| S8 4.0 V8 | 571 hp • 800 Nm | yes | quattro sport diff | 8-sp Tiptronic | 3.8 s | 11.3 l/100 km |
Length 5 190 mm, width 1 945 mm, height 1 485 mm; wheelbase 2 998 mm (A8 L +130 mm). Boot: 505 L (ICE), 390 L (PHEV).
PRO
| Feature | Why it convinces |
|---|---|
| Executive-lounge cabin | Valcona micro-perforated leather, open-pore ash or matte carbon trim, rear “Relax” seats (A8 L) reclining to 43°, 18-programme massage, twin 10.1-inch screens and heated foot-rest. |
| Benchmark noise & ride | Double glazing, multi-lip seals, predictive air suspension: just 63–65 dB at 130 km/h. |
| Genuine M-HEV efficiency | 50 TDI holds 6.9 l/100 km at 135 km/h; 55 TFSI coasts at up to 160 km/h. |
| PHEV that works | 60 TFSI e covers 60–65 km electric even in winter; 7.4 kW AC refill in 2 h 40 m. |
| quattro composure plus agility | Sport diff, rear-wheel steering (-5°/+2°) and 48-V active anti-roll bars make it as nimble as an A6. |
| Level 2+ ADAS (Audi AI) | Lane-centring, stop-and-go ACC, auto lane-change, remote parking via app; Lidar hardware ready for L3 once legislation permits. |
| Fleet-friendly residuals | A8 L 50 TDI S line retains ≈68 % of MSRP after 3 yr; Lounge-spec cars top 70 %. |
CON
| Issue | What owners/testers note |
|---|---|
| Heavy curb weight | 60 TFSI e hits 2 300 kg, S8 2 230 kg—mass felt on mountain roads. |
| Infotainment looks dated | Separate screens with black bezels can’t match the hyperscreens in EQS or BMW i7. |
| Costly option list | HD-Matrix, Bang & Olufsen 3D, rear-wheel steer, full leather, rear entertainment add €15 k to a base 50 TDI. |
| Small PHEV boot | 390 L and high lip: XL suit-cases don’t stand upright. |
| Tiptronic + start-stop hesitation | Noticeable half-second delay pulling away after long pauses in city traffic. |
| V8 oil appetite | 0.5 L every 4 000 km considered normal on spirited S8 driving. |
| OTA software maturity | Early-2024 updates triggered random reboots; patches issued but MMI is behind MBUX in polish. |
Running-cost sketch
| Service | Parts (€) | Labour (€) | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| LongLife 0W-30 oil + filter | 230 | 140 | 30 000 km / 24 mo |
| Tiptronic oil + filter | 370 | 230 | 80 000 km |
| Brake fluid + 48 V actuator oil | 120 | 150 | every 3 yr |
| Cabin filter + HVAC clean | 90 | 80 | 30 000 km |
| HV-battery check + coolant (PHEV) | – | 140 | 30 000 km |
| Front discs + pads (55 TFSI) | 420 | 200 | ~70 000 km |
| 255/45-20 XL tyres | 1 250 / set | – | ~35 000 km |
Price list (OTR)
| Version | Engine | Drive / Gearbox | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A8 50 TDI quattro Business | 286 hp | AWD / 8-AT | €105 200 |
| A8 55 TFSI quattro | 340 hp | AWD / 8-AT | €110 900 |
| A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro | 462 hp PHEV | AWD / 8-AT | €118 400 |
| S8 quattro | 571 hp | AWD / 8-AT | €147 900 |
A8 L +€7 000 (S8 sold only in standard wheelbase). 2022-23 A8 L 55 TFSI with 60 k km trade around €78 k.
Known issues & fixes
| Problem | Remedy |
|---|---|
| NOx sensor failure (TDI) | ECU update and new sensor under warranty. |
| Air-suspension leaks after 5–6 yr | Stronger seals from MY 24; retrofit kit available. |
| 48-V belt-starter failure | Valeo unit replaced + software update. |
| MMI reboot after OTA | 12-s hard reset + SW 2860_12 patch; head-unit replaced if needed. |
| Head-lamp condensation | New vents; lamp exchanged if moisture lasts >24 h. |
Verdict
The updated A8 is no longer the tech-showpiece it was at launch—Mercedes’ W223 S-Class and BMW’s G70 7-Series/i7 now flaunt bigger screens and splashier interiors—but Audi’s understatement, meticulous build and chassis finesse still appeal to executives, fleet managers and discreet luxury buyers.
Comfort & refinement – Few cars insulate occupants this well: predictive air suspension literally lifts wheels over bumps, and the optional Rear Relax seat in the long-wheelbase version offers foot-massage heating—more first-class airport lounge than car seat.
Powertrains – High-milers will still love the 50 TDI: 7 l/100 km at an honest 135 km/h gives 900-plus km on a tank. The 60 TFSI e’s truncated boot is a trade-off, yet chauffeurs can glide through low-emission zones on pure electricity and duck Italy’s horsepower tax. The S8 remains a rare V8 flagship that flicks from limo to grand-tourer at the touch of a button—but fuel and tyre costs are super-car grade.
Technology & ADAS – Level-2+ covers nearly all real-world needs; Audi’s shelved Level-3 “Traffic Jam Pilot” awaits EU legislation rather than hardware. Rivals have flashier displays, but genuine autonomy is still similar across the segment.
Costs & value – Running expenses match a diesel S-Class; complexity (predictive air, 48-V roll bars, rear-wheel steer) makes Audi’s extended warranty (5 yr / 150 000 km) a wise add-on. Strong demand from VIP transport firms and embassies underpins used values for diesel and PHEV variants; the pure 55 TFSI petrol is hurt by Italy’s horsepower tax.
In short, the 2025 A8 suits buyers who …
prize acoustic isolation, material quality and artisanal attention to detail;
prefer understated design over XXL screen theatrics;
spend many hours on motorways and want quattro as a safety net;
plan to keep the car long-term, banking on proven V6 reliability.
Shoppers chasing a hyper-futuristic cabin, Level-3 on public roads or full-EV credentials should consider Mercedes EQS, BMW i7 or Tesla Model S. Yet the A8 arguably stands as the last great analogue luxury flagship—quietly confident, impeccably engineered, and perfect for those who value discretion as much as precision German craft.
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