The third-generation Audi A8->ke1089 has been around since 2009 and since then, we've seen numerous facelifts and upgrades attributed to the German automaker's resident high-class luxury sedan.

For the 2014 model, the A8 has again been treated to a number of revisions, which include similar updates made to the rest of the Audi->ke14 lineup, including subtle but still noticeable tweaks to the front bumper and front grille. Similarly, Audi's famous LED lighting technology can still be found on the A8, albeit with its own set of minor modifications.

As far as the powertrain, the 2014 A8 still features the same pair of engine options found on the 2013 model: a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 that develops 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque and a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that produces 420 horsepower and 444 pound-feet of torque for the 4.0T.

These upgrades are expected to bolster the A8's standing in the competitive luxury-class segment. They're much needed, in our opinion, given that the BMW 7-Series is still pushing strong and Mercedes has just launched the next-generation S-Class.

Click past the jump to read about the 2014 Audi A8

2014 Audi A8

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Audi A8
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 333 @ 5500
  • Torque: 420 @ 5000
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The overall look of the 2014 Audi A8 hasn't changed from the 2013 model, but it does have a few noticeable changes, most of which can be found on the front end of the luxury sedan. Look closely and you'll notice that there are larger and lower side apron air intakes with a single, aluminum twin blade fin and high-gloss black surround. Minor tweaks to the front bumper and the front grille were also made.

Likewise, the rocker sills also appear to be larger, while a steady dose of new LED lighting technology can be found throughout the model. Mirror-mounted sensors have been retained for the 2014 A8, serving the purpose of being able to detect oncoming car headlights and taillights and automatically adjust the high beams to suit the driver's needs.

If there are any differences from the 3.0T and the 4.0T models, you can find it with the tailpipes because the former comes with chrome-tipped ovals and the latter has chrome tipped trapezoidals.

Exterior Dimensions

3.0T

4.0T

Wheelbase (Normal wheelbase/Long wheelbase)

117.8 in. / 122.9 in.

117.8 in. / 122.9 in.

Length (Normal wheelbase/Long wheelbase)

202.2 in. / 207.4 in.

202.2 in. / 207.4 in.

Height (Normal wheelbase/Long wheelbase)

57.5 in. / 57.9 in.

57.5 in. / 57.9 in.

Width (Body/With mirrors)

76.7 in. / 83.1 in

76.7 in. / 83.1 in.

Track front / rear

64.7in. / 64.4 in.

64.7 in. / 64.4 in.

Curb weight (Normal wheelbase/Long wheelbase)

4,376 lbs / 4,409 lbs

4,531 lbs / 4,597 lbs

Drag coefficient

Cd = 0.26

Cd = 0.27


Standard Exterior Features

-Audi Singleframe grille with horizontal bars in chrome finish with/without license plate holder

-Audi xenon plus headlights with self-leveling and LED daytime running lights with adaptive cornering lights with fog lights

-Rain/light sensors for automatic windshield wipers and headlights

-Headlight washing system

-LED headlights with LED daytime running lights

-LED taillight technology with rear fog lights

-Daytime running lights, user programmable

-LED indicator light technology integrated in the side mirrors

-“Three Blink” touch-to-pass lane change feature in turn signal

-Automatic light switch controlled by light sensor, coming home/leaving home function

-Heated, power folding, auto dimming exterior mirrors with passenger tilt, memory and LED turn indicator

-Aluminum-optic heated, power folding, auto dimming exterior mirrors with passenger tilt, memory and LED turn indicator

-Body-color heated, power folding, auto dimming exterior mirrors with passenger tilt, memory and LED turn indicator

-Lower rear center diffuser, platinum surround with aluminum twin blade fin

-Anodized aluminum window surround

-Heated windshield washer nozzles

-Dual round exhaust pipes, finished tips (one on each side)

-2.5 mph (Federal Standard) front and rear bumpers

-Metallic/pearl/crystal effect paint

-Roof-mounted SiriusXM Satellite Radio antenna

Interior

The cabin of the A8 still packs the same plush interior that you'll normally see in an Audi-stamped model, including the previous year model. The good thing about the A8 is that Audi spared no expense in bestowing the cabin with the kind of benchmark design and meticulous craftsmanship that we've come to know from Audi.

The standard 18-way adjustable seats come wrapped with the beautiful Valetta leather. Should customers wish to upgrade, they can do so by opting for either Valcona leather or cross-stitched design Valcona leather. The wood inlays also add splashes of natural luxury to the cabin, while ambient lighting creates a serene atmosphere that feels like you're wrapped in a cocoon of German engineering.

Interior Dimensions:

Trim Level

3.0T

4.0T

Headroom sunshade (front/rear)

NWB: 37.2 in. / 38.1 in. LWB: 37.2 in. / 39.1 in.

37.2 in. / 39.1 in.

Legroom (front/rear)

NWB: 41.4 in. / 37.7 in. LWB: 41.4 in. / 42.9 in.

NWB: 41.4 in. / 38.7 in. LWB: 41.4 in. / 42.9 in.

Shoulder room (front/rear)

NWB: 59.1 in. / 57.8 in. / LWB: 59.1 in. / 57.8 in.

59.1 in. / 57.8 in.

Luggage capacity

13.2 cu-ft

13.2 cu-ft

Seating capacity

5

5


Standard Interior Features

-Front and rear LED reading lights

-Ambient Lighting package, including illuminated door sills

-Illumination for interior door release handles and air vent controls

-Front and rear foot-well lighting using LED technology

-Auto dimming interior mirror with digital compass

-Illuminated locking glove box with air-conditioned vent for cooling

-Front sliding sun visors with LED illuminated vanity mirror for driver and front passenger

-Front and rear floor mats with fastening mechanism for front mats

-Leather shift lever

-Carbon Atlas shift lever

-Velour carpeting

-Alcantara headliner in black

-Alcantara headliner in matching interior color

-Power central locking system with radio-operated key fob remote control for doors, truck and fuel door with selective unlocking:

- Convenience open and close feature for windows and sunroof

- Master switches located in driver and front passenger doors, includes LEDs to signal when vehicle is locked - Central locking can be programmed in Audi MMI to automatically lock when vehicle reaches 8 mph. Vehicle then automatically unlocks when engine is turned off

-Power windows:

- Driver controlled lock out switch for rear power windows

- Power retention (until either front door is opened)

- “One-touch down” and “one-touch up” for all windows

- “Pinch-protection” for all windows (reverses window at force >100N)

-Audi advanced key with start-stop button and entry (standard on LWB)

-Power trunk open /close with hands-free trunk release (standard on LWB)

-Power closing doors (standard on LWB)

-Manual closing door

-Power rear sunshade

-Power side window sunshades (standard on LWB)

-Retained accessory power

-Interior electric trunk release on driver’s door

-Power opening/closing sunroof with tilt and independent electric sunshade

-Panorama sunroof with tilt and independent manual sunshade (only LWB)

-Solar sunroof

-Dual pane glass

-Dual zone auto air conditioning

-Fully automatic four-zone climate control with separate booster (standard on LWB)

-Rear HVAC vents located on rear of front center console, B-pillar and under front seats

-Electric rear window defogger with automatic timed shut off feature

-Four outlets (two cigarette / two 12V power outlets)

-Four cup holders (two front / two rear)

-Front comfort center armrest, split fore/aft and height adjustable

-Comprehensive storage:

- Storage compartments in front door armrests

- Map storage net pockets on front seatbacks

- Glovebox with an air-conditioned vent for cooling

-HVAC Power Convenience Features Illumination

-Power tilt and telescoping steering column

-Three-spoke multifunction sport steering wheel with shift paddles (S8)

-Four-spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles

-Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering

-Dynamic steering (Audi drive select)

-Full Alcantara leather interior and armrests

-Aluminum-optic surrounding of air vents, window & seating switchgear and vent controls

-Aluminum inlays on door panel interior beltline and center console

-Wood inlays on door panel interior beltline and center console

-Brushed aluminum inlays (NWB, S8 and W12) , Piano black lower inlays (LWB)

-Vavona wood inlays on interior beltline

-Brown Walnut wood upper inlays with brushed aluminum silver lower inlays

-Carbon weave upper inlay inserts with brushed aluminum silver lower inlay

-Leatherette for upper dashboard

-Valcona leather interior

-Valetta leather seating surfaces

-Three-point safety belts for all seating positions

-18-way power front comfort seats including four-way power lumbar adjustment and front & rear comfort headrests

-22-way power front comfort seats including four-way power lumbar adjustment, ventilation & massage feature and wood trim on rear side of seat

-22-way power front diamond stitched, sport/comfort seats including four-way power lumbar adjustment, ventilation & massage feature and wood trim on rear side of seat

-Two-position driver side memory for seat and mirror adjustments (two memories)

-Rear seat with ski pass through (not available when refrigerator is present)

-Three-step heated front seats

-ISOFIX for the rear seats

Performance

For 2014, Audi powers the A8 with a choice of two engines: a 3.0T supercharged V-6 or a 4.0T twin-turbo V-8. Both powertrains offer some scintillating performance numbers, including outputs of 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque for the 3.0T and 420 horsepower and 444 pound-feet of torque for the 4.0T.

Those output numbers allow the A8 to hit 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds for the 3.0T and just 4.7 seconds for the 4.0T with top speed limited to 130 mph for both trim models.

Drivetrain Specifications

Engine type

V-6

V-8

Arrangement

Front mounted-longitudinal

Front mounted-longitudinal

Bore x Stroke

3.33 x 3.51 in.

3.33 x 3.51 in.

Displacement

3,000 cu-in

3991 cu-in

Compression ratio

10.3:1

10.1:1

Horsepower @ rpm

333 @ 5,500

420 @ 5,000

Torque

325 lb-ft @ 2,900

444 lb-ft @ 1,500

Induction / Fuel injection

Supercharged / TFSI

Turbocharged / TFSI

quattro Tiptronic (0-60 mph) (Normal wheelbase/Long wheelbase) (A/T)

5.5 seconds

4.7 seconds

Top track speed (electronically limited)

130 mph

130 mph


Suspension

The 2014 A8 comes with standard a five-link front suspension and a trapezoidal-link rear suspension, as well as an electromechanical power steering system. Not to be outdone, a sports suspension calibration and a sports differential system comes as an added option for both the 3.0T and the 4.0T models.

Trim

3.0T

4.0T

Five-link front suspension with stabilizer bar

Standard

Standard

Trapezoidal-link rear suspension

Standard

Standard

Sport suspension calibration

Optional

Optional

Electromechanical power steering system

Standard

Standard

Sports differential

Optional

Optional

Ventilated front disc/ventilated rear disc brakes

14.0 in. / 13.0 in.

15.0 in. / 13.8 in.


Pricing

The 2014 Audi A8 is as follows:

Engine

Normal Wheelbase

Long Wheelbase

3.0 TFSI V-6

$72,200

$78,500

4.0 TFSI V-8

$90,000 (est.)

$97,000 (est.)


Competition

2013 BMW 7 Series

BMW was one step ahead of Audi, and its 7 Series luxury sedan has already received a revision for the 2013 model year. The model received updates to both the exterior and the interior, but just like with the A8, they were minimal and included only new full-LED headlights, a prominent BMW kidney grille and a modified front apron.

The engine lineup also remained unchanged, so the most powerful version is still the 760i with its 6.0-liter V-12 engine with an output of 544 horsepower.

2014 Mercedes S-Class

Unlike Audi's decision to simply offer small enhancements to the 2014 A8, Mercedes decided to take a completely different approach. No facelifts from Mercedes, just a completely new S-Class model that now adopts the same design language we have seen in all the recently launched Mercedes models.

In addition, Mercedes gave the new S-Class a 4.7-liter V-8 engine that produces 455 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, good enough to hit 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.

Conclusion

Audi has always been able to produce impressive models that can make noise in the market. The 2014 A8 is no different and the choice of powertrain options allows people to have enough room to decide which trim suits them best.

Another positive thing about the A8, especially now that Mercedes has a new S-Class in the market, is that despite still being classified as just a refreshed model, it still has that fresh look and graceful appearance that still fits in with the times.