“The A8L is a big, comfortable car. It also goes fast and handles very well. It's great fun to drive especially in the dynamic mode using the paddle shifters. Plenty of room for two couples to go to the movies and not be in each other's lap on the way!”
2015 Audi A8: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The 2015 Audi A8 receives a major mid-cycle refresh led by revised exterior styling and standard full LED lighting across the lineup. It is a substantial update rather than a full redesign.
About the 2015 Audi A8
3rd generation Audi A8 (D4, 2011-2017), first U.S. model year of the facelifted 2015 refresh.
Audi positions the A8 as its flagship luxury sedan: a full-size car that blends understated design, standard all-wheel drive, strong technology, and a cabin built around craftsmanship rather than flash. Its appeal is the mix of quiet long-distance comfort and sharper driver involvement than many large luxury sedans. In this lineup, buyers can pick the personality they want—efficient diesel, balanced V6, stronger V8, or ultra-exclusive W12—without giving up the core A8 experience.
The regular-wheelbase 3.0T is the more owner-focused entry model, while the 435-hp 4.0T adds stronger V8 performance. Long-wheelbase versions emphasize rear-seat room, with the diesel aimed at long-distance driving and the 500-hp W12 featuring massage seats, dual rear screens, and a head-up display.
What changed, by category
Styling
Audi revised the front and rear with a sharper grille, updated bumpers, and new light designs.
Powertrain
The twin-turbo V8 in the 4.0T and L 4.0T rises from 420 to 435 hp. The W12 gains cylinder deactivation, which shuts down some cylinders under light loads to reduce fuel use.
Safety
A rearview camera becomes standard on the long-wheelbase L 3.0T and L 4.0T.
Tech
Full LED headlights become standard across the lineup. Most trims other than the W12 also receive standard 18-way power-adjustable front seats.
2015 Audi A8 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, Supercharged, 3.0 Liter | V8, Turbo, 4.0 Liter | V6, Turbo Diesel, 3.0 Liter | W12, 6.3 Liter | V6, Supercharged, 3.0 Liter | V8, Turbo, 4.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 8-Spd Tiptronic | Auto, 8-Spd Tiptronic | Auto, 8-Spd Tiptronic | Auto, 8-Spd Tiptronic | Auto, 8-Spd Tiptronic | Auto, 8-Spd Tiptronic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Diesel | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | 24 mpg | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 18 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 29 mpg | 30 mpg | 36 mpg | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 333 hp | 435 hp | 500 hp | 333 hp | 435 hp | |
| Torque | 325 lb-ft | 444 lb-ft | 428 lb-ft | 463 lb-ft | 325 lb-ft | 444 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.2 cu-ft | 14.2 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38.7 in | 38.7 in | 42.9 in | 42.9 in | 42.9 in | 42.9 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Top View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||
| Front DVD Entertainment System | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| 115V Power Outlet | ||||||
| 4-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||
| Aluminum Interior Trim | ||||||
| Dual Power Rear Seats | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Executive Rear Seating | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Massage Front Seat | ||||||
| Massage Rear Seat | ||||||
| Memory Rear Seats | ||||||
| Power Folding Rear Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Refrigerator/Cooler | ||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 Audi A8 a full redesign?
No. The 2015 A8 is a major mid-cycle update of the third-generation model, with revised styling, upgraded equipment, and targeted powertrain changes rather than an all-new platform.
What changed on the 2015 Audi A8 compared with the 2014 model?
The 2015 A8 gets revised front and rear styling, standard full LED headlights, upgraded front seats on most trims, and a 435-hp V8 in the 4.0T models. The W12 also gains cylinder deactivation, while the L 3.0T and L 4.0T make the rearview camera standard.
Does every 2015 Audi A8 have LED headlights?
Yes. Full LED headlights are standard across the entire 2015 Audi A8 lineup; they were optional on most 2014 trims.
Which 2015 Audi A8 models have the 435-hp V8?
The regular-wheelbase 4.0T and long-wheelbase L 4.0T have the 435-hp twin-turbo V8. That is an increase from 420 hp in the 2014 versions.
Did the 2015 Audi A8 make a rearview camera standard?
Yes, but only on two long-wheelbase trims: the L 3.0T and L 4.0T. The change did not apply across the full A8 lineup.
2015 Audi A8 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2015 Audi A8.
4.4
2015 Audi A8
(49 reviews)
“The A8 is simply the best car I have ever owned or driven. Smooth, quiet, comfortable, plenty of acceleration. Fantastic automobile. No negatives.”
“Improved technology was a big reason for the purchase but I found the difficulty of learning how to use it troubling. Better for more of the features to be automatic.”