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Audi A8 3.0: techno-marvel luxury car

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12 May 2010

Audi A8 3.0 V6 TDI quattro road test report

Audi A8 3.0 TDI V6 quattro 8pd tiptronic

Audi A8 3.0 TDI V6 SE quattro

What is it?

Audi’s all-new flagship. Latest A8 is a real techno-fest with a lighter aluminium chassis than before, an infra-red night vision camera and a clever Drive Select system that allows the driver to play with steering, throttle and suspension settings. Available with 4.2-litre V8 diesel and petrol units, but tested here in most business-friendly spec – the £54,760 3.0-litre TDI diesel quattro, due in September 2010.

What’s hot?

  • Low weight, energy recovery, slippery aerodynamics and stop-start…
  • …mean the 3.0-litre TDI does 174g/km of CO2 and 42.8mpg
  • It’s no slouch though. New engine has 247bhp and 550Nm of torque…
  • …and does 0-62mph in just 6.6 seconds!
  • Eight-speed auto gearbox is slick and responsive
  • Four-wheel drive provides awesome grip
  • Drive Select allows you to choose sporty or comfort responses
  • Brilliant mile-munching ability, lots of room in the back
  • Beautiful cabin

What’s not?

  • Doesn’t really look much different to its predecessor
  • Lacks the personality that an XJ has in reserve
  • Driving experience can leave you a bit cold

What you need to Know?

P11D Value: 53,950
Monthly Rental*: n/a
Tax Band when posted: 25%, 26%, 27%
Monthly BiK: n/a
Engine: 3.0 V6 turbo diesel
CO2 Emissions: 174g/km
Power/torque: 250PS/550Nm
Economy: 42.8mpg

Monthly contract hire (CH) and personal contract hire (PCH) rentals generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.

Business Car Manager Road Test Rating

There are some headline-grabbing engines in the range, but this entry-level diesel is by the far the best – and it deserves to be the best seller. It’s fast, quiet and incredibly economical. However, if you can hang on until the end of the year, there’ll be a front-drive model version that promises the pace but with 159g/km of CO2.

Further information

Click on the highlighted link for a road test of the Audi A8 4.2 TDI SE Executive quattro model.

To read additional commentary on the Audi A8, visit the Editor’s Blog Audi’s new A8 a techno-fest.

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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