Category: Large Executive 
Price Range: £49,975 to £80,260
Quality interior, low emissions, stylish looks.
Multitronic CVT's occasional lack of low-speed refinement, no long wheelbase option, poor residuals.
A fine low-CO2 limo, let down by savage depreciation.
On paper, the A8 2.8 is king of the luxury car segment where running costs are concerned. It averages 34.0mpg and emits 199g/km of carbon dioxide, meaning it slips into the VED band F.
Only the fractionally slower diesel-powered Jaguar XJ beats the A8 on economy with a combined figure of 35mpg, but even the Jag can't compete on emissions (214g/km).
For those buying a luxury car with their company's money this is significant. The petrol Audi slips into the 26 per cent BIK tax liability while the diesel Jag slots into the heftier 32 per cent BIK tax bracket.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Audi A8
wrote on 05 05 2007