Audi A8 L facelift rolls out in Malaysia
A new and improved version of the Audi A8 has arrived in Malaysia, being officially launched today by local distributors Euromobil Sdn Bhd and available for viewing and test drives (by appointment) at all dealerships nationwide immediately.
As before, Audi continues to offer the A8 to Malaysians in a single guise, providing a 3.0-litre TFSI petrol engine with quattro drivetrain and long wheelbase body. Outputs of the supercharged V6 has been boosted, going from 290hp and 420Nm previously to an even more potent 310hp @ 5,200 – 6,500rpm and 440Nm @ 2,900 – 4,750rpm.
Fitted with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, the A8 L 3.0 TFSI quattro is able to complete the century sprint at 5.9 seconds with fuel consumption rated at 7.9 l/100km on the European combined cycle. Carbon dioxide emission is rated at 184 g/km. Using Audi drive select, the driver can effect changes to the vehicle’s engine, transmission, steering, and adaptive damper settings to vary the A8 L’s driving characteristics.
Under its sheet metal, the A8 L is a showcase of Audi’s expertise in aluminium construction, its advanced Audi Space Frame technology resulting in an all-aluminium body weighing just 241kg and contributing to an impressively light kerb weight of 1,880kg. A BMW 730Li weighs less at 1,855kg, but unlike the A8 L, the 730Li does not have an all-wheel drivetrain.
Dimensionally, the new A8 L loses 2mm in length to stretch the tape measure at 5,265mm from stem to stern, but other bodily measurements remain unchanged – wheelbase at 3,122mm, width at 1,949mm, and height at 1,471mm. Pop the trunk, and 520 litres of luggage space are at your disposal – if you must know, Audi claims that’s four golf bags worth of space.
Externally, the new A8 L is illuminated by revised LED tail lamps at the rear and new Matrix LED headlights featuring 25 LEDs that can be individually activated, deactivated, or dimmed according to situation. Camera-based active high beam assist prevent inadvertent glaring of oncoming vehicles in dark roads, and using satellite data from the vehicle’s onboard navigation, the A8 L’s intelligent cornering lights allow more effective illumination of bends before you even begin to turn. Also incorporated into the A8 L’s lighting package are dynamic indicator lights, which unlike regular blinking signals, a row of 18 LEDs arrange themselves into a strip and form a sweeping movement outward from the vehicle (think Knight Rider).
Cars in the A8’s segment are typically chauffeur driven, and for that purpose, Audi has installed a number of key amenities for rear-seated passengers. Glass sunroof and electric sun shades for the rear side windows and rear window are standard. The rear seat offers two individual, power-adjustable and ventilated seats with lumbar support also includes comfort head restraints. Equipped as standard is rear seat entertainment, with two independently controlled, 10.2” high resolution displays and two wireless Bluetooth headsets. Front seats, as you would expect, also get electric adjustment, and the front passenger seat incorporates a set of adjustment controls accessible by the rear passenger.
Standard in the A8 L is the Bose surround sound system with a digital amplifier with over 600 watts drives 14 speakers including a subwoofer. The system can also play stereo recordings in five-channel surround sound. At the top of the line is the optional Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. The heart of this top unit are two amplifiers with over 1,400 watts of total output pushed out through 19 speakers on 19 channels.
On the safety front, the new A8 L is equipped with the Audi pre sense basic for greater control on the road. The system intervenes upon detecting an unstable driving situation via the sensors of the ESC electronic stabilization control system. In this case, Audi pre sense makes sure that the front seat belts are tensioned and that the sunroof and the windows are closed down to a small gap, whilst the hazard lights warn the traffic behind.
Also available as optional upgrades are Audi night vision assistant with a thermal imaging camera that highlights any pedestrians and larger wild animals detected, head-up display, and adaptive cruise control which keeps the A8 L at a constant distance from the vehicle in front at speeds between zero and 200 km/h.
The new Audi A8 L 3.0 TFSI quattro is available in six colours – Argus brown, Foil silver, Ibis White, Havana black, Oolong Grey and Moonlight Blue. Pricing starts from RM689,500 on-the-road without insurance. The car is backed by a 4-year warranty.
Pictures: Official Audi release.
