Motoring

The Epitome of Luxury

by BTM

Mon, 01 July 2024

Audi A8L in Bahrain

In the ultra-competitive full-size luxury sedan segment, where opulence and performance combine to create increasingly impressive machines, it can be hard to know where to spend your hard-earned dinars. Luckily, Kristian Harrison found out how the new Audi A8L steals a march on its rivals by getting the little things right.

Picture this: my friends (usually just one as you’d be lucky to fit two) and I, crammed into my treasured Audi TT, groaning at every bump and turn. The lack of space often turns our cruises into cramped escapades and bemused grumbles. But the A8L? That’s a different story. When I took the group for a spin, the collective sigh of relief was almost orchestral. The ample space offered by the long wheelbase (that’s what the L stands for!) ensured everyone had their own oasis of comfort, with legroom that could rival a first-class flight. 

Step inside, and not only is there room for five people to travel at ease, you’re enveloped in an environment of supreme comfort and high-quality materials. The seats are plush, the wood inlays are exquisite, and the overall ambience exudes a calm, collected demeanour. 

Under the bonnet, the A8L houses a turbocharged 340-horsepower V6 engine. It’s not the fastest in its class, but it doesn’t need to be. The A8L’s mission is stealth and serenity. Whether you’re blasting down the highways or navigating the bustling inner city, the A8L delivers power smoothly and quietly. With all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, it accelerates from 0 to 100kmph in a respectable 5.7 seconds. Not lightning-fast, but quick enough to remind you that this luxury sedan can purr when it wants to. 

When you have been a motoring journalist for many years and driven a lot of similar vehicles, you really notice the little things that set a certain model apart. The air vents, for instance, gracefully pop out from under a panel when the car is switched on and then retract when not in use, adding a touch of futuristic elegance to the cabin. The touch buttons for controlling the fan speed on these vents are a joy to use, offering a tactile response that’s both intuitive and satisfying. And let’s not forget the customisable light bars that surround the car and even around the seatbelt buckle, making those late-night drives all the more glamorous.  

Audi’s MMI Touch Response system, with its 10.1-inch upper and 8.6-inch lower centre screens (for general infotainment and climate control respectively) keeps you connected and entertained. Yes, it can be a bit of a fingerprint magnet, but the quick response, high configurability and extremely satisfying haptic feedback make up for it. Standard features include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and the ever-impressive 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster. The Audi Connect Plus subscription adds a suite of apps for music, video, gaming, navigation and more, ensuring you’re never out of touch with the digital world. 

The 2024 Audi A8L is more than just a car; it’s a statement of refined luxury and sophistication, with a flourish of touches to make it stand out in a competitive market. Audi Centre Bahrain, located in Sitra, is offering the A8 from a starting price of BD52,230, with monthly payments from BD625 available. In addition, Audi Centre Bahrain is currently covering the cost of VAT on its A8 series which is the best value in the Kingdom that you’ll find in this segment currently. 

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