AUDI has unveiled its new A8 range which includes the UK's cleanest luxury saloon.
The prestige German manufacturer believes it has broken the taboo between size and environmental friendliness when it comes to executive cars.
Included in the revised range for 2008 is the 2.8-litre V6 engine taken from the smaller A6 which endows the aluminium-bodied A8 with 150mph performance and a CO2 output of just 199g/km.
Throw in a 0-60mph acceleration time of eight seconds and average economy of more than 30mpg and Audi reckons it has rewritten the rule book for gas-guzzling executive expresses.
The least expensive model in the new line-up is £50,000 rising to more than £80,000 but Audi believes that will not prevent the range from becoming the UK's best-selling premium saloon ahead of BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Included in the revised line-up are petrol engines of six, eight and ten cylinders plus 3.0-litre V6 and 4.2-litre V8 turbodiesels.
Engineering enhancements are claimed to make the new models the quietest in their class and there are some subtle styling and equipment improvements too.
The nine-speaker, 230-watt sound system with six-CD changer gets a DAB digital radio.
Climate control is upgraded to a more sophisticated four-zone system with individual temperature and air distribution controls not only for front seat passengers but also for those in the rear. All models now have heated front seats and Bluetooth mobile phone connection.
The interior has new trim inserts, colour schemes and inlays. Sport models get a new bi-colour leather trim and three-spoke perforated leather-rimmed steering wheel from the S8 quattro.
On the outside, bi-Xenon headlamps are fitted across the range and other distinguishing features include a revised single-frame grille design, new exterior mirrors with integrated LED strip indicators and a new LED tail light arrangement whilst Sport models have a new alloy wheel design and S8-style boot lid spoiler.
For the first time on the A8 there is the option of what Audi calls side assist. This system uses radar to warn the driver of potential hazards when changing lanes. If another vehicle enters the critical zone a yellow LED display in the door mirror lights up and remains on.
There is also a small camera above the interior mirror on the windscreen that observes the road ahead of the car and a computer detects the lane marking lines. If the driver moves towards one of these lines without indicating, the device makes the driver aware of this by a vibration in the steering wheel.