Germany is renowned for its beautiful architecture, beer, and brilliant painters like Albrecht Altdorfer. However, it is also home to outstanding automobile manufacturers. When considering large premium sedans, the Mercedes S Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8 come to mind.

Having blocked my calendar, it was time to test Audi’s flagship sedan, the 2013 Audi A8 L. After earlier testing the W12 Audi A8 in June, we now received the 4.0 TFSI V8, which arrived in the UAE in late 2012. Filled with excitement, I made my way to the Audi office, greeted by the friendly staff. After a few signatures, I laid my eyes on the stunning A8 L Quattro, equipped with gorgeous 21” wheels and finished in a hue Audi refers to as Classic Red.

Interior Finishing

2013 Audi A8 L Interior View

Upon opening the door, you feel like you’re entering a first-class compartment. The supremely comfortable leather seats can be adjusted in numerous ways, complemented by an array of buttons for various controls and fine grain birch wood pearl beige trim.

Customization is clearly a priority for Audi with the A8 L, allowing adjustments from seat snugness to ambient lighting color. The ambient lighting system offers three options: Ivory, Polar, and Ruby, illuminating the cabin in yellow, white, or red respectively.

Up front, both the driver and passenger enjoy heated and cooled seats with memory functions. Reclining in your seat, you'll admire the suede roof liner and the panoramic sunroof that can be fully opened at the front and tilted at the rear.

Interior Technology

2013 Audi A8 L Interior Technology

With the introduction of their new Multi Media Interface (MMI), Audi has integrated a touch-sensitive control panel known as MMI touch, allowing the driver to input navigation destinations or phone numbers by writing on the pad. Although innovative, I questioned whether it was quicker than traditional typing.

As a premium sedan, I anticipated an exceptional audio system. I was slightly disappointed by the absence of the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. However, after pairing my phone to the Bluetooth system, the 19-speaker Bose system delivered a delightful audio experience, customizable for surround sound, bass, treble, and sound positioning.

The A8 L is equipped with a full-scale internet connection, making it a moving Wi-Fi hotspot. Additionally, numerous cameras provide views from the front, corners, rear, and an overhead perspective, making parking the substantial A8 L (measuring 5267mm) effortless.

Interior Space

2013 Audi A8 L Interior Space

In the back, you’ll find seats that can be reclined, raised, heated, cooled, and saved in your preferred position. Rear passengers enjoy two massive 10.2” screens for watching live TV or DVDs, controlling the radio, or viewing maps.

For those valuing comfort and privacy, the Audi A8 L allows rear seat passengers to control electric blinds on the windows and rear windshield, as well as open and tilt the sunroof from their door panel. Moreover, vanity mirrors with LED lighting are integrated into the roof liner for rear seat occupants.

The A8 L emphasizes individualization, with each passenger having independently controlled monitors. This means three people can watch different movies simultaneously. The A8 L also features a four-zone automatic air conditioning system, allowing personalized temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers.

While the interior quality is top-notch, there are a few drawbacks. The monitor attached to the back of the driver’s seat rattled during highway driving, which is undesirable in a premium sedan costing over AED 350,000. Additionally, the use of hard plastic in the door panels was disappointing, especially in contact areas during sharp turns. Finally, while the A8 L offers a reasonable 510 liters of boot space, it falls short compared to the Mercedes S Class, which can accommodate 550 liters.

Drive Performance

2013 Audi A8 L Drive Performance

Before diving into performance details, it’s important to understand the Quattro badge on the Audi A8 L. This system distributes power to the wheels needing it most, enhancing control during adverse weather and performance driving.

Acceleration

To experience the power, hold the brake and push the ignition to awaken the mighty V8. The 4.0 liter twin-turbo engine produces 420 horsepower and an impressive 600 Nm of torque, achieving a remarkable 0 – 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h.

The Audi A8 L features a drive select system, allowing drivers to choose between dynamic, auto, comfort, and individual settings, adjusting engine, transmission, steering, shock absorbers, and center differential accordingly. Under normal conditions, the center differential distributes torque with 60% to the rear axle and 40% to the front.

Suspension

Our test car included adaptive air suspension, enabling height adjustment for a sportier ride or enhanced ground clearance. The A8 L’s adaptive air suspension operates smoothly, providing a seamless experience unlike any other vehicle equipped with similar technology.

Transmission

While some manufacturers have transitioned to rotary gear shifters, Audi maintains a yacht-style shift-by-wire selector connected to an 8-speed transmission, offering a silky smooth experience in town and impressive responsiveness with paddle shifters during spirited driving.

Drive Technology

As expected from a premium sedan, the A8 L is equipped with essential driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane assist. The lane assist system subtly vibrates the steering wheel when drifting out of a lane, avoiding annoying auditory or visual warnings.

Fuel Efficiency

Given the 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 engine, I anticipated limited fuel tank longevity. However, the A8 L astonished me by delivering over 800 kilometers on a full tank. After four days of varied driving, I was pleased to find a quarter tank remaining, averaging just 11 liters/100 km. With efficiency technologies like start-stop integrated, Audi claims the A8 is now 22% more fuel-efficient than its predecessors.

Handling and Brakes

Utilizing Space Frame technology, the A8 L’s body is 40% lighter compared to a comparable steel body. However, it still feels heavy during enthusiastic cornering. Additionally, the braking system, equipped with 365mm ventilated discs upfront and 330mm at the rear, struggles to halt the car effectively once speeds exceed 200 km/h, which is disappointing given the car’s performance capabilities.

Overall Verdict

As the weekend concluded, returning the Audi A8 L left me with mixed feelings. I appreciated the exterior, interior, driving experience, and the respect it commanded on the road, yet I sensed a lack of innovation. As the flagship sedan from one of Germany’s premier manufacturers, the A8 L seemed to lag behind competitors in terms of new features and technology. While quality and reliability are paramount, other brands are catching up in terms of innovative offerings. My recommendation is for Audi to focus on developing new technologies and innovations.