Five-Point Inspection: 2015 Audi A8 L TDI Quattro Tiptronic

The A8 is Audi’s flagship model, sitting at the top of its core lineup. Serving a diversity of luxury customers, the car is offered in two different wheelbases with a variety of engine options. There’s a supercharged V6, two flavors of twin-turbocharged V8 and even an exotic W12.

Beyond these choices there’s also a diesel, presumably for miserly customers that want to save money at the pump. Available exclusively with the stretched-wheelbase body, the A8 L TDI is an interesting option in its segment.

When it comes to efficient transportation, large luxury sedans are far from the best choice. They prioritize comfort and technology over miserly motoring. Still the A8 L TDI has a few tricks up its cufflink-bedecked sleeve.

This lengthy flagship four-door is propelled by a 3.0-liter diesel V6. The smooth-running compression-ignition engine provides tons of torque at very low speeds. It delivers a rather modest 240 hp but a crushing 428 lb-ft of twist at just 1,750 RPM. That’s scarcely past idle! Furthermore, this little oil-burner is shockingly refined, putting the notion that diesels are clattering, chugging, smoke-belching industrial goods to rest.

Despite putting out truck-rivaling torque this engine is also surprisingly efficient. Aided by an eight-speed automatic transmission the A8 L TDI stickers at 24 miles per gallon city, 36 highway and 28 MPG combined. Across the board that’s better than a V6-powered Honda Accord. During my testing I averaged nearly 30 MPG in real-world driving.

For years Audi’s been a benchmark in the automotive industry. Their interior design, execution and quality are second to none. Beyond this, no other automaker sweats the small stuff like the folks in Ingolstadt. They pay attention to the tiniest details, and when you discover one of their little Easter eggs it makes you smile.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Audi S4 Review

A perfect example of this is the way the A8’s display screen motors into the dashboard. It’s so fluid, so effortless you’ll find yourself hitting the button just to watch its little ballet performance. Additionally, the storage cubbies integrated into the front-door armrests, the jewelry-like power-seat controls and the way this car’s switches feel and sound make driving it a special experience. Event the headliner material looks like it costs 100 buck a yard. The cabin is extremely high end as you’d expect in a range-topping model.

Let’s not kid ourselves; the A8 L is a big car. It’s never going to feel like a Mazda Miata. Still, it delivers an altogether enjoyable on-road experience.

The torque-rich engine provides more than adequate thrust, enough in fact for a zero to 60 jaunt of just 6.4 seconds. The transmission rifles through its ratio stack without drawing any attention to itself. What more could you ask for?

Ensuring everything feels unimpeachably solid the car is built around the latest Audi Space Frame, a fancy name for an all-aluminum structure with load-carrying body panels; think of it as an automotive exoskeleton. Standard quattro all-wheel drive further enhances on-road confidence, as does a battery of standard and optional driver-assistance technologies.

Regrettably not everything is perfect and the car’s ride is one weak point. It has a certain brittleness to it that doesn’t change even when you fiddle with the adjustable suspension. After some tinkering I just ended up leaving everything in comfort mode. Frankly there’s not much difference between the various settings.

Also, the gear-shifter is a misstep; it’s horrible! Sometimes you think you’re putting the car in park and instead it goes into neutral. Other times you want drive and you get something else entirely. They really need to implement something else, whether it’s a column-mounted stalk, push-button controls or even a rotary knob, because this thing sucks.

Minor gripes aside the A8 is a superb luxury barge. It’s comfortable, refined and tasteful right down to its aluminum core. It’s also amazingly fuel efficient with the available diesel engine, which provides mountains of torque for a pleasant driving experience.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic Review

Unfortunately this car is starting to show its age a little and rivals are not getting less competitive. Mercedes-Benz has really stepped things up with their brand-new S-Class, which I actually prefer. It’s hard for me to write this because I’m something of an Audi enthusiast but the S550 I evaluated a couple months ago is nicer than the A8 L TDI, though hardly as economical.