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.
