First Drive Review
arrow
A gas-electric flagship aimed at Europe and China.
If silent travel is chief among your priorities for an eco-friendly vehicle, the Audi A8 hybrid is not for you—there isn’t much in the way of quiet, electric-only operation. Which makes sense, of course, given that this isn’t a fully electric car. (You can run solely on electrons for about two miles at a constant 37 mph, and if you awaken the engine, EV mode will reengage automatically when you relax on the accelerator. Top speed in all-electric mode is 62 mph.) And while you may never notice its internal-combustion heart beating if you dawdle at or below the pace of traffic, the engine calls attention to itself with a subdued but noticeable growl once you call for any real power.
The sucking, squeezing, banging, and blowing noises come from the VW Group’s ubiquitous 211-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder, teamed here with a 54-hp electric motor that’s integrated with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Electrical storage capacity is provided by a 1.3-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Power is sent only to the front wheels. Combined and at full steam, the powertrain delivers 245 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. This system is almost identical to the one offered in the A6 hybrid and the Q5 hybrid.
We Suppose That’ll Do
We estimate the A8 hybrid can reach 60 mph in around 7.2 seconds; Audi claims a drag-limited top speed of 146 mph. It is not governed, and we found you can easily reach 155 mph or more on downhill sections of the German roads on which we drove. This kind of performance should be sufficient for most markets and customers. But it does not compare to the relentless power you feel when you step on the throttle of the 2011–2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 (since neutered for 2013) or the Lexus LS600hL. Nevertheless, piloting this A8 can be a satisfying for hybrid lovers who drive without urgency. At that point, this A8’s hybrid system goes about its business unobtrusively. Up to 99 mph, you can do what VW Group brands like to call “sailing,” that is if you take your foot off the gas, the electric motor doesn’t aggressively recapture energy, allowing for a smoother coasting experience. You’ll be all smiles at the gas station: At 37 mpg combined in the European cycle, the A8 hybrid is the most efficient gasoline-powered luxury sedan. For comparison, on the same test cycle, the Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid gets 30 mpg, the LS600hL returns 25 mpg, and the 2011–2012 ActiveHybrid 7 achieved 25 mpg. (We estimate ratings for the A8 hybrid on the somewhat more realistic EPA cycle at 24 mpg city and 34 highway.)
Specifications
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICE (Germany, minus VAT): $85,800
ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 211 hp, 258 lb-ft; permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, 54-hp, 155-lb-ft; combined power rating, 245 hp, 354 lb-ft; 1.3-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 117.8 in
Length: 202.2 in
Width: 76.7 in Height: 57.5 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 4150 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 7.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.4
Top speed: 146 mph
FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST):
EPA city/highway driving: 24/34 mpg
Continued…