2017 A8/S8--not much new
05-20-2016, 09:05 PM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
2017 A8/S8--not much new
Audi released its 2017 model details in a press release some days ago. Many sites have picked it up already, but I don't see it on AW.
Not much new on the A8/S8. Here is the excerpted section:
The 2017 U.S. order guide pages w/ pricing have shown up for the A6/S6 and A7/S7/RS7 on those forums but I haven't seen anything so far for D4. I assume it is out there w/ dealers.
Full press release here: https://www.audiusa.com/newsroom/new...017-model-year
Not much new on the A8/S8. Here is the excerpted section:
2017 Audi A8 Model Line
For the 2017 model year, the esteemed A8 continues its tradition of benchmark luxury offerings with enhanced design packages. The A8 L equipped with the 3.0T 6-cylinder engine now comes standard with Sport exterior styling. The optional Black optic package on 3.0T and 4.0T models includes black exterior accents, darkened taillights and unique 20” 5-double-spoke wheels with titanium finish. The Executive package continues to be available for 3.0T models and includes advanced driver assistance features such as head-up display, Audi side assist and Audi pre sense rear. Also new for this year, the A8 will only be offered with a long-wheel base.
The latest variant of Audi’s flagship sedan, the S8 plus, equipped with a 4.0T 8-cylinder engine which produces an impressive 605 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque offers new interior design selections including black leather seats with Arras red stitching.
...
A8 L 3.0T Tiptronic q $82,500
A8 L 4.0T Sport Tiptronic q $91,500
S8 plus 4.0T Tiptronic q $115,900
*Destination and delivery charge is not included in MSRPs listed. Destination charges on 2017 MY vehicles are as follows:
R8 model line $1,250
All other models $950
For the 2017 model year, the esteemed A8 continues its tradition of benchmark luxury offerings with enhanced design packages. The A8 L equipped with the 3.0T 6-cylinder engine now comes standard with Sport exterior styling. The optional Black optic package on 3.0T and 4.0T models includes black exterior accents, darkened taillights and unique 20” 5-double-spoke wheels with titanium finish. The Executive package continues to be available for 3.0T models and includes advanced driver assistance features such as head-up display, Audi side assist and Audi pre sense rear. Also new for this year, the A8 will only be offered with a long-wheel base.
The latest variant of Audi’s flagship sedan, the S8 plus, equipped with a 4.0T 8-cylinder engine which produces an impressive 605 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque offers new interior design selections including black leather seats with Arras red stitching.
...
A8 L 3.0T Tiptronic q $82,500
A8 L 4.0T Sport Tiptronic q $91,500
S8 plus 4.0T Tiptronic q $115,900
*Destination and delivery charge is not included in MSRPs listed. Destination charges on 2017 MY vehicles are as follows:
R8 model line $1,250
All other models $950
The 2017 U.S. order guide pages w/ pricing have shown up for the A6/S6 and A7/S7/RS7 on those forums but I haven't seen anything so far for D4. I assume it is out there w/ dealers.
Full press release here: https://www.audiusa.com/newsroom/new...017-model-year
Last edited by MP4.2+6.0; 05-20-2016 at 09:07 PM.
05-21-2016, 04:09 AM
#2
What I find amazing is how much more you get for the same money (even less when you count incentives). My 2013 4.0 stickered at $97K which includes options that are standard today, and the 2017 has more items that my car didn't have. Something to be said for buying a car late in its model run.
05-21-2016, 11:33 AM
#3
AudiWorld Super User
Obviously trying to keep the D4 as relevant and "fresh" as possible to prospective buyers with as minimal investment as possible this far along in its lifecycle. Having said that, it nice to see a black optics package making its way to the A8, as well as more uniformly "sporting up" the look of the line-up by adding the exterior sport look now to the 3.0T V6 model as was done with the 4.0T model for 2016.
05-21-2016, 02:18 PM
#4
AudiWorld Super User
I always like when there are specific design cues associated with a certain level spec car. I liked that the sportier appearance stuff like the black optics was only available on the faster cars. Putting it on everything kind of cheapens the effect, doesn't it?
05-21-2016, 03:49 PM
#5
Well it shouldn't be too much of a problem, I bet they sell less than 1000 2017 A8s anyway...
05-21-2016, 03:56 PM
#6
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Yep, probably won't sell a lot. Same thing happened with D3's. Have a thousand extra D3 S8 trunk lids w/ integrated spoilers while converting the regular press to next model? No problem, put 'em on the 2010's. Few too many D4 sport bumpers and S8 Plus tail lights, or needed a higher order quantity for better price? No problem...
More seriously, fair point. Shows short term marketing thinking--oft Audi. Sell what you can but don't think through longer term brand value and prior loyal owners. They also went for the quick and easy. Not news in the auto biz in general though--planned obsolescence goes back to the (19)20's with GM.
Meantime, notice on A6 they rev'ed MMI in 2016, and they are bringing in CarPlay and the Android equivalent for 2017 now that they have the better electronics. No go on D4.
More seriously, fair point. Shows short term marketing thinking--oft Audi. Sell what you can but don't think through longer term brand value and prior loyal owners. They also went for the quick and easy. Not news in the auto biz in general though--planned obsolescence goes back to the (19)20's with GM.
Meantime, notice on A6 they rev'ed MMI in 2016, and they are bringing in CarPlay and the Android equivalent for 2017 now that they have the better electronics. No go on D4.
Last edited by MP4.2+6.0; 05-21-2016 at 04:05 PM.
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05-21-2016, 08:08 PM
#8
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
It is still offered as far as I know. 2017 order guide would confirm, or the usual 2017 Audi USA web stuff that goes online sometime in June. On the other hand, I keep getting e mails on a brand new fully equipped 2015 W12 in CA that still hasn't sold at (asking) 20% under its $160K sticker. With D3's, they did cut off both S8's and W12's in the next to last model year and only built 4.2's in limited choices for that last abbreviated year.
Having owned a D3 W12 and driven it for 100K+, it's a phenomenal ride and techno marvel. But in the D4 is has become kind of an oddball--not as fast in general as straight 4.0T let alone S8. Most anything on W12 can now be found either standard or optionally on the others. They eat gas too, though they finally did do a really nice COD implementation in last couple years. With the D3 it did have more quasi-exclusive features and power level was very close to S8; just different feel (torque vs. high revving V10 power). It will be back, and Audi has already announced the D5 motors--now turbo'ed, which follow the Bentley norm but now stepped up another notch power wise.
Having owned a D3 W12 and driven it for 100K+, it's a phenomenal ride and techno marvel. But in the D4 is has become kind of an oddball--not as fast in general as straight 4.0T let alone S8. Most anything on W12 can now be found either standard or optionally on the others. They eat gas too, though they finally did do a really nice COD implementation in last couple years. With the D3 it did have more quasi-exclusive features and power level was very close to S8; just different feel (torque vs. high revving V10 power). It will be back, and Audi has already announced the D5 motors--now turbo'ed, which follow the Bentley norm but now stepped up another notch power wise.
05-22-2016, 05:25 AM
#9
AudiWorld Super User
Having owned a D3 W12 and driven it for 100K+, it's a phenomenal ride and techno marvel. But in the D4 is has become kind of an oddball--not as fast in general as straight 4.0T let alone S8. Most anything on W12 can now be found either standard or optionally on the others. They eat gas too, though they finally did do a really nice COD implementation in last couple years. With the D3 it did have more quasi-exclusive features and power level was very close to S8; just different feel (torque vs. high revving V10 power). It will be back, and Audi has already announced the D5 motors--now turbo'ed, which follow the Bentley norm but now stepped up another notch power wise.
05-22-2016, 06:20 AM
#10
AudiWorld Super User
I'm curious to see how much power they give it, I agree the D4 W12 was short on power compared to it's own stable. A 12 cylinder is something special, and the car it's in should feel special. Audi made a mistake in not making sure the W12 feel special. The Audi exclusive palate should have been more extensively utilized, most D4 W12's I've seen were fairly standard on the interiors, with maybe half utilizing the the 4 person arrangement and the grand majority the standard amaretto or black interior. Where's the sense of occasion in that?!