The standard adaptive damper along with the quattro offer impressive body control for this rather big car. Driving on the very fast autobahns and also across a section of the countryside the Audi’s dynamics instilled confidence even over the usual 120 km/h speed limit. Though the suspension in Comfort mode is perfect for smooth sailing in the city, it does tender some body-roll due to the soft setup. Once in Sport mode the saloon stays nice and flat in corners, and the quattro helps to speed up faster on exit. The one drawback was that in comparison to the sporty S8, the A8’s electromechanical steering has a remote, synthetic feel.
Driving aids like navigation and, in some models, the heads-up display are an added advantage and were an absolute boon for me on the unfamiliar European roads. Another small but vital aspect was the blind spot warning system on the outer rear-view mirrors, which lit up, warning me of vehicles approaching from behind, so that I could change lanes in the left-hand-drive car more confidently.
The 2014 Audi A8 will go on sale in January next year in the international markets and is expected to land on our shores shortly thereafter. There would be a slight rise in price in the range, which currently costs between Rs 1.10 and 1.30 crore (OTR, Pune). But this 
seems justified as the new features and updates enhance the already luxurious, elegant, and beautifully appointed saloon and, at the same time, improve its performance and efficiency. A major challenge for the Audi would be to outshine the latest generation Mercedes S-Class, which has shaken up the international luxury car market with its stellar standards.
New features and updates enhance the already luxurious, elegant, and beautifully appointed saloon and, at the same time, improve its performance and efficiency
Story: Sarmad Kadiri
Photography: Audi AG
