New Audi A8 prices confirmed

Orders for the new Audi A8 have opened with prices starting at £58,800. 

First deliveries of the car, which features mild styling changes as well as a revised body structure, are due in January next year.

A range of seven petrol and turbodiesel engines are available from launch, with the vast majority gaining both performance and efficiency over the ougoing model. The entry-level petrol 3.0-litre supercharged TFSI has been boosted from 286bhp to 306bhp, while the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 has also gained power, moving from 414bhp to 429bhp and now also getting Cylinder on Demand technology. 

Meanwhile, the base diesel 3.0-litre TDI moves from a 247bhp output to 254bhp, while the 4.2-litre TDI also gains 35bhp, taking it to 380bhp. The torque figure for that engine also increases to 627lb ft.

Audi says that thanks to modifications to the fuel injection system, turbocharger and exhaust gas after treatment systems, both diesel engines are now classified as 'clean diesels'.

The A8 L also gets increased performance, with the 6.3-litre W12 engine in the A8 L quattro going up to 493bhp. Audi says this engine has the best economy in its class, with 24.1mpg combined and 270g/km of CO2 emissions.

For even more performance, the S8 comes equipped with a 4.0-litre TFSI engine producing 513bhp. That means the S8 can cover 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds while also acheiving up to 29.4mpg and 225g/km CO2 emissions.

Audi has also released details of its A8 hybrid, which combines a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine and an electric motor to acheive a combined output of 242bhp and 354lb ft of torque. The hybrid can travel at up to 62mph on pure electric power, and has an electric-only range of 1.9 miles. The engine returns up to 44.8mpg with CO2 emissions of 144g/km, and is available in both standard and long wheelbase A8s.

Audi says it has resculpted the bonnet of the A8 to enhance its grille, the bumper and the headlight clusters - which gives the A8 a sharper front-end view. The same is true of the rear, where new LED tail light designs have been integrated alongside a new twin exhaust system.

A new lighting system that uses 25 LEDs each is also present, which Audi says enables the A8 to react to changing situations faster than ever before, such as automatically dimming headlights when another vehicle is detected. The lighting system also uses data from the on-board satellite navigation to predict conditions on the road ahead and maximise light distribution.

Elsewhere, Audi's Drive Select system is now standard on the A8, while options for the interior include new colour schemes and new trim materials. Among the more lavish interior options is a new stereo system designed by Bang & Olufsen, front seats with ventilation and massage settings, and power-assisted closing doors. Optional safety equipment includes Audi's Active Lane Assist, a park-assist system with 360-degree display, and a Heads Up Display for drivers.