The Audi A8 L Facelift model arrives in Malaysia for over a million Ringgit.
When it comes to flagship German sedans the Audi A8L is seen as a worthy competitor in many markets. However, in Malaysia the A8 often falls flat in terms of value for money as it’s the only car in its class not to take advantage of local assembly. This shows in the pricing of the latest 2022 Audi A8L, which was quietly launched in Malaysia with no fanfare at RM1,046,907.50 OTR without insurance.
The 4th generation Audi A8 L first debuted in Malaysia back in 2019. Back then, the A8 L was sold for RM880K, which was still uncompetitive but not off by too much. In 2021, the facelift model was put into production with minor improvements. This month it arrives in Malaysian showrooms with a much higher price tag despite many similarities to the outgoing model.
Under the hood, the same 3.0L V6 mild hybrid turbocharged TFSI petrol engine has returned with the familiar 8-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive system. The powertrain is good for 335hp and 500Nm of torque and propels the A8 L from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds while returning 8.3L/100km in terms of fuel efficiency. The numbers are essentially unchanged versus the 2019 model. Also unchanged is the standard adaptive air suspension.
The headlights still come with digital matrix LED technology but this time around the rear taillights feature OLED technology. Both headlight and taillight designs have been tweaked for the facelift model. The S Line package is standard on the facelift model and there’s a wider Singleframe grille with accent pieces and a new front bumper design.
One major change to the interior are the hidden centre air vents.
The Audi A8 L is pretty well equipped but is missing a panoramic sunroof option, which is usually included on its rivals for less money. There are two 10.1″ displays for rear passengers, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, seat ventilation and massage function, and loads of ADAS features as standard.
PHS Automotive Malaysia is offering this fully-imported flagship sedan with a 5-year manufacturer warranty, 5 years of roadside assistance, 3 years of free maintenance and Audi connect support included. The big mystery is how many of these models can Audi sell in Malaysia at this price when the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is available at RM708,888.
