Audi A8 L 60 TFSIe 2020 UK first drive

It might come as something of a surprise, but if we had to pick a car that best demonstrates the virtues of electrification, this might be it.

Why? Well, judged solely on what a luxury limousine needs to deliver, namely supreme refinement and smoothness for the passenger, and low-running costs and low emissions for the owner, the new A8 60 TFSIe is not just simply on a par with its petrol and diesel equivalents, it’s better. 

But then again, it should be. Both BMW and Mercedes have had plug-in versions of their respective limos on sale for the past couple of years, giving the engineers at Ingolstadt both something to aim for and also the opportunity to make use of the newest hybrid tech on the market. 

That tech includes a 126bhp ‘permanently excited’ electric motor (like a Porsche Taycan) paired to a more conventional 335bhp 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine. The total combined output of 443bhp is sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, resulting in some pretty punchy performance. 0-62mph takes just 4.9 seconds (quicker than both the S560e and 745e) and given the run of a German Autobahn it will accelerate up to an electronically-limited 155mph. 

However, with most 60 TFSIe’s destined to spend their lives ferrying high flying execs around crowded city centres, we suspect an all-electric range of 28.6 miles (compared to 25 for the Merc and 28-31 for the BMW) will be of more interest to buyers than outright performance. 

Indeed, with a fully charged battery, the plug-in A8 to all intents and purposes functions like a fully electric vehicle; Audi’s ‘permanently excited’ unit having enough poke for most situations. It’ll even accelerate up to 84mph on battery power alone, making for a beautifully serene experience for passengers, with no engine noise or jerky gearchanges disturbing the relaxed ambiance. 

When the V6 petrol engine does eventually kick-in, the transition from electric to petrol power is seamless to the point of being nearly undetectable. This, combined with a distinct lack of wind noise, makes the manner in which it accelerates somewhat deceptive, the 60 TFSIe gaining speed like an A380 at takeoff. 

With all those batteries onboard, however, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that 60 TFSIe isn’t exactly a driver’s car: it wallows a little on its standard air suspension through bends, the steering is accurate but devoid of feel and the brakes can be a little inconsistent in their operation. Ultimately, this is a car that wants you to drive like a chauffeur. So much so in fact, that it’ll even give you lessons.