The article was originally produced on April 4, 2020, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

The latest generation A8 L is a rolling luxury cruiser with technology and comfort in abundance.

When cars of this class are presented, it is mainly about raising the bar for everything that this type of car stands for. The biggest competitors are primarily the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes S-Class. The new Audi A8 L clearly offers a tough match against the others with both technology, performance and comfort.

If we start from the outside, the design is relatively similar to the previous model of the A8. The grille, however, has become wider, which is a design element other Audi models have also received. An incredible amount of time has been spent on shaping the new headlights and taillights, which are now completely LED-based. The light ramp at the back runs over the entire back and makes a play of light when you lock and unlock the car with the key. Really effective when you see it for the first time. The high beam is now automatic and compared to the previously mentioned competitors, Audi's automatic high beam is the best. Compared to BMW and Mercedes, you don't get flashed by road users in the opposite lane who think you haven't dazzled.

Driving the A8 L is something that can be compared to moving a boat or luxury yacht forward on completely still water

When we step into the car, a lot has changed, much more than the outside I would dare to say. Nowadays, there are hardly any physical buttons left, instead the driver's environment is dominated by three large screens. One in front of the steering wheel, and two in the centre console. The upper of the two is for the car's infotainment system, or the MMI system as it's called in Audi parlance. The lower screen mainly belongs to the climate system, which is now controlled entirely from a touch screen. In order not to point at a completely dead surface, the screen gives off a small impulse that is felt when you press it. This is so that you can feel when you are doing something and not have to take your eyes off the road any longer than necessary. Familiarising yourself with the whole system takes time, but once you get the hang of it, it plays very nicely.

One of the features that unfortunately cannot be experienced yet is that the A8 L has autonomous driving assistance in level 3. This means that the car can drive without you having to hold the steering wheel. Something that will hopefully be opened up soon when the legalities are in place and the laws fully allow these systems. The L in the designation stands for Long and means extra legroom for those in the back seat. Something that is noticeable when you sink into the lounge-like seats in the back.

Driving the A8 L is something that can be compared to moving a boat or luxury yacht forward on completely still water without an ounce of vibration or other uncomfortable experiences. The fact that it can be this comfortable is mainly due to the fact that you now have a system for the suspension that is connected to a forward facing camera. The camera reads the road and can prepare the suspension for any bumps and irregularities in the road. The system has been with Mercedes for a while where it is called "Magic Carpet Ride". At Audi, the system is called "A1 Active Suspension", and as the name reveals, it uses AI technology. What the system can also do, which can be seen as a plus for more comfortable entry into a long sedan like the A8, is that it can raise the car when getting in and out.

Another big technical change since the previous model is that you now have a 48-volt system instead of just 12 as before. The 12-volt system remains, but only to manage simpler functions such as seat heating and lights. Among the functions that make use of the new 48-volt system is the aforementioned A1 Active Suspension. What the more powerful electrical system also means is that the car is a so-called mild hybrid. Simply explained, the car can save energy and regenerate in a much more efficient way than a 12-volt system. The energy can then be used, for example, at start-up but also for a number of other functions. The engine options in the A8 L range from V8 up to V12 and as a plug-in hybrid. Thanks to the fact that the car is now relatively light due to extensive use of lightweight materials, the petrol V6 engine of 3 litres and 340 horses is enough. 

If you prefer to sit in the back and have a driver drive you or if you want to treat those in the back with some extra space and comfort, or if you simply just want to enjoy the best Audi has to offer in terms of technology and comfort, then yes the new A8 L is definitely a car you should choose. 

Audi A8 L 55 TFSI

Basic price	From SEK 948,900
Engine	3-litre V6 with twin turbo, 340 hp. Torque 500 Nm
Transmission	Front engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Acceleration	0-100 in 5.7 seconds
Top speed	250 km/h
Fuel consumption mixed driving according to the manufacturer	7.5 l/100km
Weight	2,278 kg
Guarantee	New car 2 years, carriage damage 3 years, rust protection 12 years, paint 3 years
Web	www.audi.se