German engineering. Two words that somewhat define the luxury segment of the automobile industry. This segment is dominated by three goliaths: BMW with the magnificent 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz with the spectacular S Class, and Audi with the majestic A8. I had the privilege of driving the Audi A8 L W12 for a number of days.

I was handed the keys and headed to the parking lot. The second I saw the Audi, I was mesmerized. It looked amazing. The full LED headlights and the classic Audi grille gave it a very mean look while preserving its royalty. The car sat on enormous 21-inch wheels that complemented its enormous size. The “W12” badges placed on all four sides of the car differentiate it from all other A8s. The white body combined with the two-piece black panoramic roof blend perfectly, giving it a special luxury feel.

Interior

The Audi A8 L W12 is equipped with a smart entry system that unlocks the car when you place your hand underneath the door handle and locks it when you slide your hand on the exterior sensor. Upon entering the A8, you are greeted by an abundance of leather on the dashboard, steering wheel, center console, and doors. If that was not enough, the Audi is also fitted with suede door inserts.

This car has everything you need and some features you might not expect! The Audi A8 is fitted with a Quad Zone A/C system that is easily the best A/C I have ever seen. Additionally, the Audi has cooled and heated seats, both front and back, allowing you to adjust your seat temperature as desired—perfect for the Middle Eastern summer heat. All four seats can be adjusted to the occupant’s preferences with at least eight different components that can each be controlled separately. Furthermore, Audi has fitted all four seats with massage options! Legroom in the back is vast, thanks to the extra five inches added for the L (long) wheelbase.

Audi A8 L W12 Interior

The A8 is jam-packed with technology, featuring gadgets that assist the driver in various scenarios. The most impressive is the Audi Night Vision, which activates an infrared camera fitted into the grille to locate objects beyond the headlights' reach, providing visual and audio warnings when necessary.

Driver Assistance Features

Adaptive Cruise Control: Automatically adjusts speed and distance from the vehicle in front.
Brake Assist: Detects rapid closure to the car ahead, warning the driver and applying full braking power if needed.
Lane Assist: Alerts the driver with steering wheel vibrations if the car drifts out of its lane.
Blind Spot Indicators: Alerts the driver of potential obstacles when changing lanes.

The Audi is also fitted with six cameras (one for each corner, one forward-facing, and one backup camera) and a stunning Bang & Olufsen sound system featuring nine speakers, three subwoofers, and two tweeters that rise from the dashboard. The clarity of this system is flawless! However, when compared to the 2012 standard A6 sound system, the A6 system packed more of a punch when it came to bass, which was surprising.

The Audi A8 includes a SIM card slot, allowing you to turn the car into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot capable of supporting up to eight devices simultaneously. Rear passengers can enjoy individual monitors and controls for their adjustable and massage seats, as well as choose what they want to see or hear. The Audi boasts such extensive gadgetry that I would need more time to explore every feature, warranting a review in book form!

Drive

The Audi A8 L W12 is powered by a fire-breathing 6.3-liter W12 engine producing 500 horsepower. The 0-100 km/h time is an exhilarating 4.7 seconds! The Audi features 6-piston brakes, similar to those used in the Porsche Cayenne, providing stopping distances that rival sports cars. Despite the A8's performance akin to that of a power plant, the fuel economy is surprisingly reasonable, averaging 16.7 L/100KM on the highway and 27.4 L/100KM in the city. However, I highly doubt that anyone purchasing a half-a-million dirham car would be overly concerned about fuel costs.

Performance-wise, the Audi A8 is immaculate, handling excellently with its electric steering, making it easy to maneuver this luxury vehicle. Most importantly, the engine delivers exhilarating power that would rip apart the tarmac!

Verdict

The Audi A8 is simply magnificent. It commands respect on the street; people will stop their cars just to let you pass. The drive is immaculate and incredibly smooth. The price tag of this particular A8 is a staggering 520,000 AED. While the price may seem inflated for what you receive, it remains an absolute treat to drive.

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