CAR OF THE WEEK

Refinement Personified - 2020 Audi A8 50 TDI

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Refinement. It is possibly the most significant development in car manufacturing over the last three decades. When cars were first invented at the latter end of the nineteenth century, they were cumbersome machines. Revolutionary, yes. Epic to behold, most certainly, but you would not find them the easiest machines to operate. Back then it was only really members of the aristocracy and successful business owners who could purchase these vehicles. They were so rare, delicate, and fickle. But fast forward several decades and for £29,950 you can drive one of the smoothest, cossetting, and reliable cars around…the inimitable Audi A8.

Blessed with complex adaptive air suspension placed within a lightweight spaceframe chassis, the A8 is one of the most comfortable cars on the planet. And to be really honest, the product is so well sorted that it is used as the base for many ultra-prestigious models from Bentley, Porsche, and others. That Bentley Flying Spur you see rolling around the streets of Monaco; it is really just an A8 in disguise.

Powered by a 3-litre V6 producing 286hp and accelerating from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds, the A8 goes about its business in a no-nonsense, efficient, and hugely powerful manner. Sure, you can get a fire-breathing RS6 or S8, which use a throaty V8 under the bonnet, but the V6 gives you the best of both worlds so that you can drive around town or up and down the motorway in a stress-free manner but, when the occasion arises, you can chuck it around and it will handle admirably.

If we really get under the skin of the A8 though, it becomes clear that one of its biggest advantages is that it is well built. By focusing on quality above fiddly design or contemporary flair, as some manufacturers do, Audi has built a car that will surely last the test of time.

There is not enough space here to go through all its features, but some headline ones include comfort front seats with 22-way adjustment, Audi parking system plus, Audi music interface, ultra-supple Black Valcona leather, and a head-up-display, which all combine to provide a truly lovely driving experience.

The A8 is, of course, perfect if you prefer to be chauffeured. Take a sit in the back seat and immerse yourself in a world of luxury. It almost feels like you’re in a Rolls-Royce. The ride is so ‘magic carpet-like’ – it seems to absorb every bump so that you can hardly feel them. But you’re not…you’re in a car that costs a fraction of the price of a Rolls. But if it weren’t for the four rings on the bonnet, you wouldn’t know otherwise.

Finished in Vesuvius Grey metallic with a Black Valcona leather interior. Our Audi A8 50 TDI is offered in fantastic condition and has covered 40,800 miles. All our cars come with a comprehensive platinum 6-month RAC warranty as standard with the option to extend. Why not request a personal video of this car?

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