Audi was supposed to launch the A8 facelift in India at the 2014 Auto Expo but that did not happen as the company is yet to clear stock of the existing model. The updated A8 has been on test all over Mumbai and also dropped camouflage signalling a launch isn’t far away. However the car seems to have vanished completely. The company understands it can’t compete with the latest generation Mercedes S-Class which has set a new benchmark in the segment. The next generation Audi A8 is in the works and should be a close competitor to the S-Class, the best car in the world.
The facelifted Audi A8 gets updated with Matrix LED technology along with changes to the exterior and interior design as well as more powerful and efficient engines. The facelift of Audi’s flagship saloon was first revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September last year. The styling updates are subtle on the Audi A8 and manage to further improve the look of this saloon. The major changes visible are the redesigned headlights which are razor sharp to look at.
The headlights of the 2014 Audi A8 now get the all new Matrix LED headlight technology that houses 25 individually controlled LEDs which automatically split their beam according to the road conditions, oncoming traffic and turns. The new Matrix LED technology detects oncoming and preceding vehicles and blanks out the light that would shine directly on them, but continues to cast light on all other zones of the road. This results in the supply of high precision illumination. It is also capable of detecting pedestrians with the night vision assist with the individual LEDs flashing three times alerting the driver and the pedestrian. Audi has also updated to sequential turn indicators that look very stylish.
Other changes to the 2014 Audi A8 include a revised grille and redesigned bumpers. The tail lamps now get sharper and sleeker, while the exhaust tips are squared off. The overall dimensions are exactly the same as the older model. On the inside, Audi offers ventilated seats with massage function along with optional electrically adjustable rear individual seats even on the lower trims. There is an addition of colours, inlays and new choices of wood and leather, that can be added as optional extras. The A8 gets lane assist, park assist and night vision assist as part of the safety equipment.
The 2014 Audi A8 engine lineup gets updated with more power and fuel efficiency. The 3.0-litre V6 TFSI petrol unit now produces 310 HP, while the 4.0-litre V8 TFSI petrol unit produces 435 HP. The behemoth 6.3-litre W12 petrol engine remains unchanged and is capable of producing 500 HP of power. In terms of diesel power, the 3.0-litre TDI engine now produces 258 HP, while the 4.2-litre TDI produces 385 HP of power. Audi has surely equipped the 2014 Audi A8 with the needed arsenal but that’s not enough to beat the flagship vehicle from Stuttgart.
