[Porcupine]

Originally Posted by pqr

Audi India should consider to bring the UK specific A8L RHD 3.0 TDI to India and sell some decent number of A8L, not just 20-30 TFSI cars a year, when competitors are doing 10 times over.

The problem is, historically Audi has priced the A8 above the 7-series and the almighty S-Class, adding to the fact that those cars are CKD's and the A8 is a CBU, the gulf in price is more than often unjustifiable. I'd be surprised if the facelift didn't come with a price hike of it's own to bring it on par or above the S-Class.

[DonHyd]

I might be an outlier but I like the design. Front grill - can't comment until I see it in person. It seems that BMW has set the bar so low in design with the new 7 series, that any design looks good.

[Venkatesh]

2022 Audi A8 L launched at Rs 1.29 Crore. Ex-showroom prices:

- Celebration Edition - Rs 1.29 crore
- Technology - Rs 1.57 crore







New to the Audi A8 L - Digital Matrix LED headlights that offer finer control of individual LED beams thanks to the use of 1.3 million micro mirrors. The Digital Matrix LED also include 5 configurable projections for unlocking, entry and exit.



OLED tail lights are new. Customers can opt for a light signature when configuring their car. Lighting pattern also changes when Dynamic mode is selected.

There’s also greater use of chrome on the grille of the A8 L facelift.



Head-up display, Virtual Cockpit, Bang & Olufsen sound system, seats with massage function, heating and ventilation are some of the features up front.

Updated A8 L offered in standard 5 seat configuration with 4 seat rear executive package on offer. Rear left passenger seat also gets a foot massager.

Rear seat entertainment screens support casting from mobile devices.

Park Assist Plus includes completely automated parking with steering, accelerator and brake control into identified parking spot.

Rear seat remote is go-to control for media, air aromatization, seat adjustments, sunroof, blinds and Matrix LED reading lights.

55 exterior colour and 8 interior upholstery colour options for the A8 L.



The A8 L continues to be offered in 55 TFSI spec that gets a 340hp, 3.0 V6 turbo-petrol with 48V mild-hybrid tech.



Air suspension is standard while Predictive Active Suspension is an option; it reads the road and adjusts damping for maximum comfort, and also counters roll in corners. This feature also raises the suspension by 5cm for easy entry/exit.

4-wheel steering is optional on the A8 L facelift and reduces the turning circle by 1m.

[Venkatesh]

New Audi A8 L in pictures - Link

















From launch event - Link











- No diesel powertrain option
- Will rival Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS

At a starting price of Rs 1.29 crore, the Audi A8 L continues to be sold via the CBU route and costs
- Rs 31 lakh less than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- Rs 11 lakh less than the BMW 7 Series, and
- Rs 62 lakh less than the Lexus LS.

Source

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

At a starting price of Rs 1.29 crore, the Audi A8 L continues to be sold via the CBU route and costs
- Rs 31 lakh less than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- Rs 11 lakh less than the BMW 7 Series, and
- Rs 62 lakh less than the Lexus LS.

Interesting PR plug by Audi. Rarely do we see luxury car brands claiming they are “cheaper by xx” than rivals, especially when it comes to their flagship products. It’s a risky take to be termed “cheaper” in the prestige/badge value driven marque category. On the other end of the spectrum the cheapest car in the world tag killed the nano. However surprising this is, I think it’s a good and bold move by Audi.
The Uber luxury car market has gone bonkers. Audi probably recognises that even the Uber rich are looking for better value in these over inflated prices. The A8 never sold due to its at par pricing, the lower model might get things moving. In today’s market a 1.27cr price for a flagship German CBU is great pricing.

I just hope BMW and MBIL take note. Especially the latter who is mistaking it’s current order book to be a sign of future sales. With the current economic situation, German car makers should course correct on discounting and pricing.

The new S class hasn’t got off to half the start that the w222 did. A year from launch now and we don’t see too many even in Mumbai. A year from the w222 launch had plenty on the road. Heck I waited 5 months for my w222 back in 2015 and managed to get a w223 within a month for a family member inspite to chip shortages. The reason is not just the chip shortage. It’s the pricing that’s gone too far.

I hope BMW launches the 7 at a competitive price!

[Aaroah]

Not only would this price appeal to folks looking at flagship products but more importantly this opens up a new market for customers lurking in the 1-1.2cr budget as well. Currently at this price point we have no option but to choose from the overpriced 630d, Velar, GLE, X5, etc which arent too exciting and feel grossly overpriced.

If one times the market correctly, with the right set of discounts thrown by the dealer - the delta becomes so small that people can actually consider getting an A8L home.

However this doesnt apply for the competition, no matter what deal or scheme is in the market those cars will always be unattainable for people in this budget range.

[sunikkat]

Did Audi copy Hyundai’s steering wheel or Hyundai copied Audi’s.
Audi should have given one spoke of that steering wheel to Skoda.

Overall a very elegant and flamboyant design at the same time. I guess Audi has done it well except that overdose of chrome. But am sure if anyone does a dechrome it will look dope.

[Venkatesh]

New Audi A8 L detailed in pictures - Link

[Livnletcarsliv]

The overdose of chrome here I assume is the Chinese influence. In fact, this chrome overdose kills the look that is supposed to be exquisite, elegant, and flamboyant. Even though I am not a potential customer, this look is not my type at all. Unfortunately, even BMW went over-board with the twin-light design which spoils its look.

What's happening Audi and BMW?

[Shreyans_Jain]

Finally. A rare sensibly priced super premium car. Prices in this end of the market have gone completely insane, some rationalisation was much needed. This will force people to at least consider something apart from the S Class, which till now had a free run and pretty much owned this segment.

This pricing also exposes like likes of GLE, Velar, E Class and 6 Series and makes them seem obnoxiously overpriced.

Love the interiors. Modern day Audi cabins are sheer class!!

[TechnoBloop]

I think Audi has done a great job designing this car although it is just a minor facelift. I guess the new 7-Series is making all the other cars look good!

Audi is the only brand that is due to provide a major update for all of their cars (except electric). Mercedes has started doing it, BMW also.

As always, Audi nailed the lights of this car. The tail lamps look absolutely beautiful, definitely better than the S-Class' tail lights.

They have priced the car reasonably well which isn't something that we get to say very often about an Audi.

Rs 62 lakh less than the Lexus LS.

It costs 62 lakhs less than the Lexus LS?? 62 lakhs?

Is there anything so special about that Lexus? Is is that good? It is priced even more than the S-Class and 7-Series as well. Wow! I did not know that Lexus LS is sooooo costlyyy! At first I thought it was a typing error, then searched it on Google and was proved wrong.

PS- That green shade looks absolutely beautiful!

[JShah]

Originally Posted by Sahil

I just hope BMW and MBIL take note. Especially the latter who is mistaking it’s current order book to be a sign of future sales. With the current economic situation, German car makers should course correct on discounting and pricing.

Since we are discusssing the pricing of luxury vehicles, I was just reading a very interesting thread posted on twitter posted by Prof.Sanjay Bakshi, Along with these numbers.

Prof. goes on to add, (Adding only a few tweets from the full thread)

"Never study an automobile company without also studying the finance subsidiaries (or associates) which help create demand from customers who can’t (or won’t) pay the full price upfront.

The finance company can charge an effective rate of interest that’s very low, and also not take much interest in doing proper credit checks on the customer.

Obviously, this kind of aggression will attract customers who want their dream vehicle which they otherwise could not afford to buy cash down but now they can. Many of them will eventually default on their loans.

The impact of all this demand creation is very positive for the auto company’s revenue and profit numbers.

As for the problem loans, they don’t reside on the auto company’s balance sheet. Also, the loans will go bad after a few quarter or years.So all the good news is front ended and all the bad news is back ended.

The larger lesson here, I think, is to think about natural rates of growth (without artificial stimulants) vs the observed growth rate which would include a large component produced because of drugs like leverage"

Source : @Sanjay_Bakshi
Link to full thread: https://twitter.com/Sanjay__Bakshi/s...gZreUl0xWcm5rA

[avira_tk]

This car should only sell on price, the lousy front wheel drive proportions, tasteless lashings of chrome and obese A6 looks aren't appealing at all. The S class is the choice in this segment, the 7 a distant second, both are equipped with diesel powertrains that are not dependent on premium fuel.

Audi should have launched the A7 with this powertrain if they want to sell sedans, they are anyway going all in on electric, the A8 should have been ditched for this generation, it is an also ran. The stupid approach of abandoning diesel is a case of falling backwards to compensate for falling on your face. Unless you are fixated with black plastic, I can't think of one reason to buy this over an S or 7.

[IREV]

Originally Posted by avira_tk

This car should only sell on price, the lousy front wheel drive proportions, tasteless lashings of chrome and obese A6 looks aren't appealing at all. The S class is the choice in this segment, the 7 a distant second, both are equipped with diesel powertrains that are not dependent on premium fuel.

Audi should have launched the A7 with this powertrain if they want to sell sedans, they are anyway going all in on electric, the A8 should have been ditched for this generation, it is an also ran. The stupid approach of abandoning diesel is a case of falling backwards to compensate for falling on your face. Unless you are fixated with black plastic, I can't think of one reason to buy this over an S or 7.

A8 doesn't have front wheel drive proportions at all. It gets AWD as standard unlike cheaper Audis sold in India. Also the A8's celebration trim is priced far cheaper than the base variants of the 7 series and the S class and it is a CBU while the 7er and the S are CKD. In that logic it's quite well priced. I am also not a fan of the A8's exteriors either but still better than the outdated 7er sold in India. The A8 has a lot more features compared to the CKD S class and the 7er sold in India and it will be definitely superior to the CKD S and the 7 in terms of quality according to CBU vs CKD logic. Still I feel a lot of buyers would pick the 7 and the S over the A8 due to it's availability because of CBU.

[avira_tk]

Originally Posted by IREV

A8 doesn't have front wheel drive proportions at all. It gets AWD as standard unlike cheaper Audis sold in India. ....

What does having AWD have to do with front wheel drive proportions? The dash axle ratio is off and that is good enough reason to reject this car. The reason this has AWD is because that is just about the only thing that has brand recall, the others are doing just fine with rear wheel drive and design proportions that come with it.