First drive review: Audi A8 3.0 TDI SE Executive LWB

[EXTRACT]#EANF# What‘s it? An A8, driven by its front wheels only. Until recently, all third-gen A8s used four-wheel drive, but now there will be two front-pullers inside the range : the £61, 500 petrol-electric hybrid and also the 3. 0 TDI tested here. Starting at £53, 685, the standard-wheelbase front-drive diesel becomes the cheapest A8, as the LWB car we drove adds 130mm in rear passenger space (and 50kg ) for £3965. In either, foregoing quattro drive saves £3235 and 45kg. But it’s not nearly just how many paws this A8 rakes an open road with – the front-drive car’s 3. 0 TDI engine also gives up 45bhp and 110lb ft of torque versus its Quattro counterpart. For both length variants, the performance discrepancies could be approximated thus : 2. 0sec more to 62mph, 10mph less top speed, a 10g / km CO2 drop (one band lower ), and also a 3mpg economy gain. What‘s it like? The detuned engine sounds just a little strained under acceleration, but yields peak power and torque 250rpm sooner and spreads both wider. Gunned given by a standing start, there’s prolific torque steer and blinking traction control, however that almost evaporates once you’ve engaged the next of eight gears, and it is therefore a relatively small bugbear. Kickdown could be hesitant, though. Once as much as speed, the absence of rear drive is barely noticeable in many conditions, and also the LWB car still handles with remarkable agility, even with standard-fit air springs in ‘Comfort’. The main ride is expertly controlled and secondary-ride chatter is well isolated, while brakes work strongly. Steering is sometimes lifeless, though, seeming either too heavy or too light when toggled between modes. Should I buy one? if you are after an A8 on the budget, then yes. For the foremost part, unearthing this car’s weaknesses usually is to drive it inappropriately, and though there’s no increase in cabin or boot space regardless of the idle rear axle, it retains a lot of the A8’s strengths with a tidy saving. Audi A8 3. 0 TDI SE Executive LWB
Price : £60, 255 ; 0-62mph : 8. 0sec ; Top speed : 146mph ; Economy : 46. 3mpg ; CO2 : 161g / km ; Kerb weight : 1845kg ; Engine : V6, 2967cc, turbodiesel ; Power : 201bhp at 3750-4500rpm ; Torque : 295lb ft at 1250-3500rpm ; Gearbox : 8-spd automatic EXTRACT#EANF# First drive review : Audi A8 3. 0 TDI SE Executive LWB