2014 Audi A8L TDI
The Audi A8 comes in two lengths and is available (counting the sportier S8) with three V6s, two V8s and even a W12. So why would anyone spending sixfigures buy the TDI diesel, which has the lowest horsepower (240) of them all? The TDI cruises at extralegal speeds with ease, surfing its tidal wave of torque, whose 406lb-ft of twist easily dispense left-lane dawdlers. All while the 3.0-liter V6 barely breaks a sweat, which means you return over 30 mpg in this massive, long-wheelbase AWD sedan.
You also receive a terrific massage courtesy of the the luxury segment’s best cockpit and chill out to your favorite tunes on the $6,300, 1,400-watt B&O surround sound system. About the only fly in the ointment is the optional, adaptive LED headlights, which prove inferior to xenons at illuminating the salt-stained twists and turns of the mountain passes. But the security conferred by the quattro drivetrain and winter tires mean nothing really fazes you. The A8L’s styling—especially on the optional multispoke 20-inch wheels—looks better than ever.
Of course, you could have spec’d your flagship Audi with the supercharged gasoline V6, one of two twin-turbo V8s, or totally over the top W12 in your A8L. And the price of fuel obviously isn’t an issue if you can afford such a machine. But you wanted to make a statement: that you can be a conscientious conservator of the environment without giving up, well…anything.
EPA ratings: 24/36; 28mpg combined
Price as tested: $99,445
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