To the delight of über-luxury fans everywhere, Audi today announced a starting price of $78,325 on the redesigned A8 series. All seven models of the A8 model line will continue, with price increases ranging from $2030 on the top-of-the-line W12 to $2830 on the A8L 4.0T. The average is slightly less than $2500, or about three percent on most models.
It’s a midcycle enhancement and not an all-new car, but the styling is refreshed with a more aggressive front-end stance: The hood is ridged, there are new standard LED headlights and a redesigned grille, bumper, and splitter. The hot-rod S8 receives its own unique front fascia with larger air intakes in the lower bumper and offers an optional new sport exhaust with wide oval-shaped quad tailpipes.
The powertrain lineup remains the same: The base engine is still the 333-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 offered in both standard ($78,325) and long-wheelbase versions ($82,325). The 4.0-liter V-8 packs 435 ponies this year, up 15 from 2014. It’s available in standard ($87,325) and long-wheelbase versions ($91,325) as well. The 520-horsepower supercharged S8 ($115,825) is only available on the short wheelbase, and the 2015 A8 lineup is rounded out with a TDI diesel ($86,025) and the 500-horsepower W12 flagship ($138,825), both on the long wheelbase only.
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Other changes for 2015 include standard electromechanical steering—variable-ratio dynamic steering is part of an optional Sport package—and an active lane assist that can steer the car back into a lane. The available night-vision system already had pedestrian detection, but now adds animal detection that can help alert the driver to deer and other animals in the roadway. Also new is a secondary collision-assist system that can apply the brakes after an initial crash. Lastly on the tech front, Audi now offers a head-up display that shows speed, navigation, and adaptive-cruise functions.
Moving to the interior, there are available 22-way power-adjustable front comfort seats with five different massage functions. The cabin itself is quieter and Audi boasts that the trunk has more usable space. The S8 receives a deliciously named Vermont Brown leather interior matched with carbon-twill copper inlays as an option. The 2015 A8 is expected to arrive in showrooms later this month.
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