The Audi A8 will get a slightly more powerful V6 turbo-diesel engine option and a new ‘Sport’ trim level from the next model year.
The flagship luxury saloon from Ingolstadt will receive an upgraded turbo-diesel heart for 2016, with the 3.0-litre V6 TDI units getting a bump up from 258 PS to 262 PS. Peak torque also rises to 600 Nm, while CO2 emissions drop from 155 to 149 g/km.
The addition of a ‘Sport’ trim means there’s more choice for buyers. The new V6 will be available in both standard and long wheelbase guises. The updated turbo-diesel V6 is also seen in other cars from the VW Group. Just in case you were wondering, the BiTurbo TDI isn’t seen in the A8, and still remains under the bonnets of the SQ5 and A6 Allroad for now. The updated V6 join the 4.2-litre TDI V8 and the 4.0-litre TFSI V8 and W12 FSI petrol engines.
Audi India will launch the facelifted RS 7 on May 11. There are no mechanical changes – the RS 7 will still sport that magnificent twin-turbo V8 with 560 PS and 700 Nm paired to the S-tronic automatic and quattro all-wheel-drive.
What has changed are the elements on the front-end. The front grille is now a hexagonal single frame and incorporates Matrix LED headlamps. At the rear, the exhaust pipes have wider, more trapezoidal apertures. Under the skin, adaptive air suspension is available, as is the choice of conventional spring-equipped sports suspension with the Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) damping system.
Equipped with cylinder-on-demand, the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 now emits less CO2, down to 221 g/km, while efficiency on the EU combined cycle is a claimed 10.5 km/litre. The new RS 7 Sportback will be priced about the same as the outgoing car. So that’s a sticker of Rs 1.35 crore plus tax.
Audi also have a few more tricks up their sleeve though, and we can expect more fireworks very soon indeed.
