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Audi A8 4.2 TDI Quattro SE executive: Test Drive Review

Date: 30 July 2010   |   Author:

Category: Luxury
P11D price: £65,970
Key rival: Mercedes-Benz S-class

As well as the 3.0-litre TDI version of the new A8, Audi has another variant that sneaks in below 200g/km, a figure that until recently would have been unheard of among luxury saloons.

The model in question emits 199g/km and is a 4.2-litre 350hp monster capable of 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds yet official fuel consumption is 37.2mpg. The big diesel engine offers a massive surge of power when required, defying the saloon's (admittedly slightly reduced) bulk in its latest incarnation.

This biggest problem for the most expensive A8 on sale, bar the 6.3-litre range-topper, is that the 3.0 TDI diesel is such a good engine, offering 42.8mpg and 174g/km, that paying the extra £9000 for the 4.2 could be seen as something of an extravagance. An RV of 31.4% is also slightly behind the BMW 740d, which is less powerful but more fuel efficient, so has a cost per mile around 8p cheaper than the Audi's 138.1p.

That price tag can also be spectacularly pushed up. Our car was fitted with an eye-watering £24,000 of options without seeming like it had a ridiculous number of toys. Beware: it's easy to go over-the-top on the options list with this vehicle.

Audi A8 4.2 TDI Quattro SE executive
P11D price£65,970
Model price range£54,835-£92,515
Fuel consumption37.2mpg
CO2 (tax) 199g/km (22%)
BIK 20/40% per month£341/£682
Service intervalvariable mls
Insurance (1-50)group 47
Warranty3yrs/60,000mls
Boot space510 litres
Engine size/power4134cc/350hp
Top speed/0-62mph155mph/5.5secs
On sale May 2010
Score8/10
VerdictVery impressive mpg and CO2
for such a powerful engine,
only slightly undermined by
quality further down A8 range.


Verdict


Very impressive mpg and CO2 for such a powerful engine, only slightly undermined by quality further down A8 range.
8/10

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