The 2008 Audi A8 is available in four variations: the A8 4.2 ($70,690); A8 L 4.2 ($74,690); A8 L W12 ($120,100); and the S8 5.2 ($93,300). All come with Audi quattro all-wheel drive.
The A8 4.2 rides on a 115.9-inch wheelbase, while the A8 L adds 5.1 inches in both wheelbase and overall length. Both are powered by a 4.2-liter V8 rated at 350 horsepower and come with a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual shift control. Both models come with dual-zone automatic climate control that uses temperature, moisture, and infrared sensors to demist the windows before they can even think about fogging. Other standard features include leather upholstery; heated front and rear seats; 16-way power adjustable front seats with lumbar adjustment; interior air filter; power tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; cruise control; memory for the driver's seat, mirrors, and steering wheel; heated power mirrors with auto-dimming and passenger side tilt-down back-up aid; power windows and door locks; remote keyless entry; sunroof, Bose AM/FM radio with 6-disc CD changer; Sirius satellite radio; auxiliary audio input jack; navigation system with voice recognition; Bluetooth wireless cell phone link; trip computer; auto-dimming rearview mirror; Homelink universal garage door opener; rain-sensing wipers with heated nozzles; trunklid-closing assist; automatic bi-xenon adaptive headlights with washers; theft-deterrent system; front and rear fog lights; adjustable load-leveling air suspension; front and rear limited-slip differentials; and P255/45HR18 tires on alloy wheels. The A8 L adds manual rear side sunshades. The parking brake is operated by a switch.
The A8 L W12 rides on the 121-inch wheelbase and is powered by the 450-hp W12 engine. It comes with ultra-luxury amenities, including front and rear park assist; power sunshades for the rear windows; power-adjustable rear seats; leather upholstery on the door panels, console and dashboard; rear dual-zone automatic climate control; massaging and ventilated front seats; Alcantara interior trim; wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel; rearview camera; keyless access and starting; door-closing assist; power trunklid; trunk pass-through with a ski sack; and P255/40HR19 tires. The A8 L W12 also comes standard with a full-length rear-seat center console, housing elaborate climate controls and seat adjustments, plus a dual-screen entertainment system; this limits seating capacity to four, though the rear center console can be deleted at no cost in favor of a three-place bench seat.
The S8 rides on the standard 115.9-inch wheelbase, and features a high-performance 5.2-liter V10 rated at 450 hp. The air suspension is firmer, the brakes are larger and the steering is quicker. Extra bright trim and 20-inch wheels with P265/35R20 tires contribute to a distinctive look outside; while inside are sport seats upholstered in two-tone leather, darker wood or carbon fiber trim with aluminum accents, and white-on-gray italic gauge faces.
Option packages for the A8 and A8 L include a Sport Package ($4,000) with firmer suspension settings, 20-inch wheels with P265/35R20 summer performance or all-season tires, and a multi-function leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel with shift paddles. A 14-speaker, 1000-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system custom-tailored to the Audi's interior acoustics ($6,300) is available. A Premium Package ($3,275) includes Advanced Key, power rear sunshade, manual side sunshades, power trunk open/close, Audi's Advanced Parking System with front and rear park assist and a rearview camera, and illuminated rear vanity mirrors. An Exclusive Package ($11,500) includes Alabaster White or Cognac leather upholstery with black piping, Alcantara headliner, special wood trim, and a wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Options for the A8 and A8L include adaptive cruise control ($2,100), which uses radar to maintain a prescribed dis